Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Performance Analysis of the Dielectrically Modulated Full- Gate and Short-Gate Tunnel FET-Based Biosensors

In this paper, a short-gate tunneling-field-effect-transistor (SG-TFET) structure has been investigated for the dielectrically modulated biosensing applications in comparison with a full-gate tunneling-field-effect-transistor structure of similar dimensions. This paper explores the underlying physics of these architectures and estimates their comparative sensing performance. The sensing performance has been evaluated for both the charged and charge-neutral biomolecules using extensive device-level simulation, and the effects of the biomolecule dielectric constant and charge density are also studied. In SG-TFET architecture, the reduction of the gate length enhances its drain control over the band-to-band tunneling process and this has been exploited for the detection, resulting to superior drain current sensitivity for biomolecule conjugation. The gate and drain biasing conditions show dominant impact on the sensitivity enhancement in the short-gate biosensors. Therefore, the gate and drain bias are identified as the effective design parameters for the efficiency optimization.
Genetic Analysis of the Kinetochore DASH Complex Reveals an Antagonistic Relationship with the Ras/Protein Kinase A Pathway and a Novel Subunit Required for Ask1 Association

ABSTRACT DASH is a microtubule- and kinetochore-associated complex required for proper chromosome segregation and bipolar attachment of sister chromatids on the mitotic spindle. We have undertaken a genetic and biochemical analysis of the DASH complex and uncovered a strong genetic interaction of DASH with the Ras/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Overexpression of PDE2 or deletion of RAS2 rescued the temperature sensitivity of ask1-3 mutants. Ras2 negatively regulates DASH through the PKA pathway. Constitutive PKA activity caused by mutation of the negative regulator BCY1 is toxic to DASH mutants such as ask1 and dam1. In addition, we have discovered two novel subunits of DASH, Hsk2 and Hsk3 (helper of Ask1), which are microproteins of fewer than 75 amino acids, as dosage suppressors of ask1 mutants. These are essential genes that colocalize with DASH components on spindles and kinetochores and are present in the DASH complex. Mutants in hsk3 arrest cells in mitosis with short spindles and broken spindle structures characteristic of other DASH mutants. Hsk3 is critical for the integrity of the DASH complex because in hsk3 mutants the association of Dam1, Duo1, Spc34, and Spc19 with Ask1 is greatly diminished. We propose that Hsk3 acts to incorporate Ask1 into the DASH complex.
Nucleotide excision repair gene (ERCC1) deficiency causes G2 arrest in hepatocytes and a reduction in liver binucleation: the role of p53 and p21

A wide range of DNA lesions, both UV and chemically induced, are dealt with by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Defects in NER result in human syndromes such as xeroderma pigmen‐tosum (XP), where there is a 1000‐fold increased incidence of skin cancer. The ERCC1 protein is essential for NER, but ERCC1 knockout mice are not a model for XP. In the absence of exogenous DNA‐damaging agents, these mice are runted and die before weaning, with dramatically accelerated liver polyploidy and elevated levels of p53. Here we present a morphological, immunological, and molecular study to understand the mechanism for the unusual liver pathology in ERCC1‐deficient mice. We show that the enlarged ERCC1‐deficient hepatocytes are arrested in G2 and that DNA replication and the normal process of binucleation are both reduced. This is associated with a p53‐independent increase in expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21. The most dramatic feature of the ERCC1‐deficient liver phenotype, the accelerated polyploidy, is not rescued by p53 deficiency, but we show that p53 is responsible for the reduced DNA replication and binucleation. We consider that the liver phenotype is a response to unrepaired endogenous DNA damage, which may reflect an additional non‐NER‐related function for the ERCC1 protein. —Núñez, F. , Chipchase, M. D. , Clarke, A. R. , Melton, D. W. Nucleotide excision repair gene (ERCC1) deficiency causes G2 arrest in hepatocytes and a reduction in liver binucleation: the role of p53 and p21. FASEB J. 14, 1073–1082 (2000)
The Preeminence of Gold and Silver as Money

Historically, money is gold and silver, supplied by the market on profit criterion. Everywhere, government inconvertible paper money arose from bankruptcy. A government with balanced budgets would never need it. Imposed by force, inconvertible paper is a taxation mean, highly inflationary, and causes impoverishment. Unjust and bankrupt governments will continue to force this despotic money. Islamic Monetary Economics refutes the idea of money as a policy tool. Fully convertible paper is Shariah compliant. Shariah requires a just government to balance its budgets and restore fully gold and silver as lawful money.
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, version IV scale – parent form

This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties of parent ratings on the Chinese version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale (SNAP‐IV) in a school‐based sample of 3534 students in grades 1 to 8 from two cities and two suburbs in Taiwan and 189 children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (aged 6 to 15) consecutively recruited from a medical center in Taipei. Parents completed the Chinese versions of the SNAP‐IV, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Child Behavior Checklist. The Chinese SNAP‐IV demonstrated similar three factor structure (Inattention, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and Oppositional) as its English version, and satisfactory test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.59∼0.72), internal consistency (alpha = 0.88∼0.90), concurrent validity (Pearson correlations = 0.56∼0.72), and discriminant validity. Boys scored higher than girls across the eight school grade levels. The SNAP‐IV clearly distinguished children with ADHD from school‐based participants. Comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder predicted higher SNAP‐IV scores among children with ADHD. Our findings suggest that the Chinese SNAP‐IV is a reliable and valid instrument for rating ADHD‐related symptoms in both clinical and community settings in Taiwan. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing an Inquiring Community of Practice: Case Stories From One Middle School’s Efforts for Partnership

At a start-up urban magnet middle school, we are committed to a student-centered inquiry-based learning environment that values extended project-based learning. In order to make projects relevant, we work with community members to harness their expertise in the design, execution, and evaluation of student work. We recognize that partnerships that allow community members to showcase their own talents, skills, and knowledge forge meaningful relationships that enhance student learning.
The Role of Government in Education

The general trend in our times toward increasing intervention by the state in economic affairs has led to a concentration of attention and dispute on the areas where new intervention is proposed and to an acceptance of whatever intervention has so far occurred as natural and unchangeable. The current pause, perhaps reversal, in the trend toward collectivism offers an opportunity to reexamine the existing activities of government and to make a fresh assessment of the activities that are and those that are not justified. This paper attempts such a re-examination for education.
Small practices' experience with EHR, quality measurement, and incentives.

OBJECTIVES To assess clinician attitudes and experiences in Health eHearts, a quality recognition and financial incentive program using health information technology. STUDY DESIGN Survey of physicians. METHODS A survey was administered to 140 lead clinicians at each participating practice. Survey domains included clinicians' experiences and attitudes toward the selected clinical quality measures focused on cardiovascular care, use of electronic health records (EHRs), technical assistance visits, quality measurement reports, and incentive payments. Responses were compared across groups of practices receiving financial incentives with those in the control (no financial rewards). RESULTS Survey response rate was 74%. The majority of respondents reported receiving and reviewing the quality reports (89%), agreed with the prioritization of measures (89%), and understood the information given in the quality reports (95%). Over half of the respondents had a quality improvement visit (56%), with incentive clinicians more likely to have had a visit compared with the control group (68% vs 43%, P = .01). The incentive group respondents (92%) were more likely to report using clinical decision support system alerts than control group respondents (82%, P = .11). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians in both incentive and control groups reported positive experiences with the program. No differences were detected between groups regarding agreement with selected clinical measures or their relevance to the patient population. However, clinicians in the incentive group were more likely to review quarterly performance reports and access quality improvement visits. Incentives may be used to further engage clinicians operating in small independently owned practices to participate in quality improvement activities.
Alcohol and mortality: is there a U-shaped relation in elderly people?

OBJECTIVE to assess the relation between alcohol intake and mortality among seven cohorts of middle-aged and elderly Danes. DESIGN Prospective population study with baseline assessment of alcohol- and tobacco consumption, educational level and body mass index, and a mean of 11.5 years follow-up of mortality. SUBJECTS 16304 men and women aged 50 years or more. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE number and time of deaths from 1974 to 1995 as ascertained by the national central person register. RESULTS the effect of alcohol intake on mortality did not differ between middle-aged (50-64 years, mean = 56.6 years) and elderly subjects (>64 years old, mean = 69.9 years). There was a U-shaped risk function in both age groups, which persisted also when adjusting for age, sex, smoking habits, level of education and body mass index. Abstaining women had a relative risk of 1.29 (95% confidence limits 1.17-1.42) as compared with light drinkers (1-6 (drinks per week), while the relative risk for abstaining men was 1.22 (95% confidence limits; 1.08 to 1.37) as compared with light drinkers. Heavy drinking women (>28 drinks per week) had a relative risk of 1.23 (95% confidence limits; 0.85 to 1.78) and heavy drinking men (more than 69 drinks per week) had a relative risk of 2.11 (95% confidence limits 1.66-2.69), both compared with light drinkers. CONCLUSION among the middle-aged and elderly women and men, a light alcohol intake is associated with lower mortality than abstention or heavy drinking.
Two strategies to intensify evidence-based medicine education of undergraduate students: a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Undergraduate evidence-based practice (EBP) is usually taught through standalone courses and workshops away from clinical practice. This study compared the effects of 2 clinically integrated educational strategies on final year medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS Final year medical students rotating to the general medicine service for a 2-week internship were randomly assigned to participate in a weekly EBP-structured case conference focusing on students' primary care patients (Group A, n = 47), or to receive a weekly didactic lecture about EBP (Group B, n = 47). The teaching effects of these 2 interventions were evaluated by a validated instrument for assessment of EBP related knowledge (EBP-K), attitude (EBP-A), personal application (EBP-P), and anticipated future use (EBP-F) on the first and last days of rotation. RESULTS All scores improved significantly after the 2-week EBM-teaching for both groups. When compared to Group B, students in Group A had significantly higher post-intervention scores of EBP-K (21.2 ± 3.5 vs 19.0 ± 4.6; ie. 57.8 ± 72.9% vs 29.1 ± 39.1%; P <0.01) and EBP-P (18.7 ± 4.3 vs 15.3 ± 3.9; ie. 28.5 ± 25.5 % vs 14.1 ± 18.7 %; P <0.001). In contrast, the scores of EBP-A and EBP-F were similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION Structured case conference, when compared to the didactic lectures, significantly improved EBP-K and EBP-P for final year medical students.
Traffic Noise and Risk of Myocardial Infarction

Background: The biologic plausibility for noise stress-related cardiovascular responses is well established. Epidemiologic studies on the relationship between transportation noise and ischemic heart disease suggest a higher risk of myocardial infarction in subjects exposed to high levels of traffic noise. Methods: To determine the risk of road traffic noise for the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), we carried out a hospital-based case-control study in the city of Berlin. We enrolled consecutive patients (n = 1881), age 20–69 years, with confirmed diagnosis of MI from 1998 through 2001. Controls (n = 2234) were matched according to sex, age, and hospital. Outdoor traffic noise level was determined for each study subject based on noise maps of the city. Standardized interviews were conducted to assess possible confounding factors and the annoyance from various noise sources. Results: The adjusted odds ratio for men exposed to sound levels of more than 70 dB(A) during the day was 1.3 (95% confidence interval = 0.88–1.8) compared with those where the sound level did not exceed 60 dB(A). In the subsample of men who lived for at least 10 years at their present address, the odds ratio was 1.8 (1.0–3.2). Noise-exposed women were not at higher risk. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to high levels of traffic noise increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Promising Performance: The Overestimation and Underestimation of Performance Targets

ABSTRACT This study examines goal setting in the federally funded, state-implemented Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Specifically, using federally determined criteria that states are supposed to use to set expected performance targets, I model the predicted performance targets and compare them against the observed performance targets. The purpose is to examine the determinants of performance target overestimation and underestimation in the WAP. The findings suggest that, where credible commitment to achieving performance targets is important (i.e., when grantees want to show top performance to attract grant money and federal partners), grantee governments are more likely to underestimate goals. However, where the aspirational nature of performance targets is more important than the credible commitment of achieving them (i.e., in an election year or partisan congruence with federal government), grantee governments are more likely to overestimate goals.
Chimeric myosin regulatory light chains identify the subdomain responsible for regulatory function.

Regulatory light chains, located on the ‘motor’ head domains of myosin, belong to the family of Ca2+ binding proteins that consist of four ‘EF‐hand’ subdomains. Vertebrate regulatory light chains can be divided into two functional classes: (i) in smooth/non‐muscle myosins, phosphorylation of the light chains by a calcium/calmodulin‐dependent kinase regulates both interaction of the myosin head with actin and assembly of the myosin into filaments, (ii) the light chains of skeletal muscle myosins are similarly phosphorylated, but they play no apparent role in regulation. To discover the basis for the difference in regulatory properties of these two classes of light chains, we have synthesized in Escherichia coli, chimeric mutants composed of subdomains derived from the regulatory light chains of chicken skeletal and smooth muscle myosins. The regulatory capability of these mutants was analysed by their ability to regulate molluscan myosin. Using this test system, we identified the third subdomain of the regulatory light chain as being responsible for controlling not only the actin‐myosin interaction, but also myosin filament assembly.
Metazoan cell biology of the HOPS tethering complex

Membrane fusion with vacuoles, the lysosome equivalent of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is among the best undestood membrane fusion events. Our precise understanding of this fusion machinery stems from powerful genetics and elegant in vitro reconstitution assays. Central to vacuolar membrane fusion is the multi-subunit tether the HOmotypic fusion and Protein Sorting (HOPS) complex, a complex of proteins that organizes other necessary components of the fusion machinery. We lack a similarly detailed molecular understanding of membrane fusion with lysosomes or lysosome-related organelles in metazoans. However, it is likely that fundamental principles of how rabs, SNAREs and HOPS tethers work to fuse membranes with lysosomes and related organelles are conserved between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and metazoans. Here, we discuss emerging differences in the coat-dependent mechanisms that govern HOPS complex subcellular distribution between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and metazoans. These differences reside upstream of the membrane fusion event. We propose that the differences in how coats segregate class C Vps/HOPS tethers to organelles and domains of metazoan cells are adaptations to complex architectures that characterize metazoan cells such as those of neuronal and epithelial tissues.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) responses to a TLR9 agonist CPG immunomodulator (CPG 7909), a phase I study.

6600 Background: Available systemic therapies for CTCL produce significant response rates and may relieve skin symptoms or complications, but there is a lack of well-tolerated systemic therapies with reliable and durable responses in patients with recurrent or advanced disease. A new class of chemically defined CpG immunomodulators target dendritic cell TLR9 receptors with induction of IL-12, IFN-gamma, and NK cell function. In several early trials, CPG 7909 has been well tolerated by weekly s.c. dosing and has clinical anti-tumor activity. METHODS Cohorts of 3 patients with recurrent/refractory CTCL were enrolled to receive weekly s.c. doses of 0.08, 0.16, 0.24, or 0.28 mg/kg of CPG 7909. Clinical response was monitored using the Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Disease Severity Index (CA) and the Physician's Global Assessment of Clinical Condition (PGA). RESULTS Of 12 patients treated to date (8 females, 10 Caucasians, 1 Hispanic and 1 African-American), 2 at the lowest dose had progressive disease (PD), 5 have stable disease, and 3 have had partial or total clearing of disease (see table below). Stable disease and response was maintained for up to 6 months of treatment. Doses were generally well tolerated; dose related injection site reactions (erythema, induration, redness and pain) and mild or moderate flu-like symptoms were common. CONCLUSIONS CPG 7909 has significant antitumor activity in CTCL. Responses will be correlated with immunomodulator biologic responses and PK. Enrollment is ongoing with additional dose escalations to optimize response at tolerable doses. [Figure: see text] [Table: see text].
Finite-SNR Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff in Bidirectional Cooperative Networks

Analog network coding (ANC) and time division broadcasting (TDBC)are two major protocols used in bidirectional cooperative networks with half-duplex terminals. Most previous work on those two protocols was based on the assumption that there was no direct channel between the two sources. In this paper, we remove this limitation and investigate both protocols in a general bidirectional cooperative network with a direct channel between the two sources. Lower bounds on the outage probabilities of the two protocols are derived first. These lower bounds are very close to the exact outage probabilities in the whole signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range irrespective of the values of channel variances. Based on the lower bounds, the finite-SNR diversity-multiplexing tradeoffs (DMTs) of the ANC and TDBC protocols are obtained. These tradeoffs establish a framework which enables us to make a comprehensive comparison between both protocols.
Leptin transiently antagonizes ghrelin and long-lastingly orexin in regulation of Ca2+ signaling in neuropeptide Y neurons of the arcuate nucleus.

AIM To explore the mechanism for interactions of leptin with ghrelin and orexin in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) activating neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons during physiological regulation of feeding. METHODS Single neurons from ARC of adult rats with matured feeding function were isolated. [Ca2+]i was measured to monitor their activities. The time course of leptin effects on ghrelin-induced versus orexin-induced [Ca2+]i increases in NPY neurons was studied. RESULTS Administration of ghrelin or orexin-A at 10(-10) mol/L increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in NPY neurons isolated from the ARC of adult rats. Upon administration of leptin at 10(-14)-10(-12) mol/L, ghrelin-induced [Ca2+]i increases were initially (<10 min) inhibited but later restored, exhibiting a transient pattern of inhibition. In contrast, orexin-induced [Ca2+]i increases were inhibited by leptin in a long-lasting manner. Furthermore, a prior administration of leptin inhibited orexin action but not ghrelin action to increase [Ca2+]i. CONCLUSION Leptin counteracted ghrelin effects transiently and orexin effects long-lastingly in NPY neurons. The transient property with which leptin counteracts ghrelin action in NPY neurons may allow the fasting-associated increase in ghrelin levels to activate NPY neurons in the presence of physiological leptin and to stimulate feeding.
Bureaucracy and Political Unrest in Africa

The dish they were handed in 1951, and again in 1957, was old and cracked and little.fit for any further use. Worse than that, it was not an empty dish. For it carried the junk and jumble of a century of colonial muddle and make do, and this the CPP ministers had to accept along with the dish itself What shone upon its supposedly golden surface was 1101 the reflection of new ideas amtways of liberation, but the shadow of old ideas and wa~·s of servitude.
Cooperation, virulence and siderophore production in bacterial parasites

Kin selection theory predicts that the damage to a host resulting from parasite infection (parasite virulence) will be negatively correlated to the relatedness between parasites within the host. This occurs because a lower relatedness leads to greater competition for host resources, which favours rapid growth to achieve greater relative success within the host, and that higher parasite growth rate leads to higher virulence. We show that a biological feature of bacterial infections can lead to the opposite prediction: a positive correlation between relatedness and virulence. This occurs because a high relatedness can favour greater (cooperative) production of molecules that scavenge iron (siderophores), which results in higher growth rates and virulence. More generally, the same underlying idea can predict a positive relationship between relatedness and virulence in any case where parasites can cooperate to increase their growth rate; other examples include immune suppression and the production of biofilms to aid colonization.