Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor: a structure-function analysis.

Glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a protein known to enhance the survival of dopaminergic and motor neurons. It has been shown to have therapeutic potential in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. GDNF gene was modified by deletion and insertion mutagenesis using PCR methods. The various mutants were all highly expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant proteins were purified and their survival-promoting activities were determined by motor neurons. The result showed that the C-terminus was critical for structure stability of GDNF, and the alpha-helix, finger1 and finger2 regions were involved in receptor binding, while the N-terminus was not essential for the biological functions of GDNF.
Contraceptive efficacy and acceptability of the female condom.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to determine the contraceptive efficacy of the female condom and to provide data about the device to the US Food and Drug Administration. METHODS The clinical trial was conducted at six US sites and three sites in Latin America. Eligible subjects were in mutually monogamous relationships and agreed to use the female condom as their only means of contraception for 6 months. RESULTS A total of 328 subjects contributed to the analysis of contraceptive efficacy. Twenty-two US subjects and 17 Latin American subjects became pregnant, yielding 6-month gross cumulative accidental pregnancy rates of 12.4 and 22.2, respectively. During perfect (consistent and correct) use of the method, the 6-month accidental pregnancy rates were 2.6 and 9.5 for the US and Latin American centers, respectively. There were no serious adverse events related to the use of the method. CONCLUSIONS The female condom provides contraceptive efficacy in the same range as other barrier methods, particularly when used consistently and correctly, and has the added advantage of helping protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
CYBER-PHYSICAL VUNERABILITIES IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

One of the key advantages of additive manufacturing (AM) is its digital thread, which allows for rapid communication, iteration, and sharing of a design model and its corresponding physical representation. While this enables a more efficient design process, it also presents opportunities for cyber-attacks to impact the physical word. In this paper the authors examine potential attack vectors along the Additive Manufacturing process chain. Specifically, the effects of cyberphysical attacks, and potential means for detecting them, are explored. Based on the results of this study, recommendations are presented for preventing and detecting cyber-physical attacks on AM processes. 1. Cyber-Physical Vulnerabilities in Manufacturing Processes 1.1 Attacks on Cyber-Physical Systems Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are systems that integrate physical hardware with software systems, often with the use of a network. With the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) the number of CPS systems on networks continues to increase [1]. Concurrently, cyber-attacks have become more prevalent in recent years, increasing in maliciousness and decreasing in visibility [1-3]. This poses a significant issue, as cyber-attacks on cyber-physical systems could result in damage to the machines themselves or the humans who interact with them. A prominent example of a cyber-physical attack was the Stuxnet worm that targeted Iranian centrifuges used for refining uranium. In this attack the worm was able to infect the software system and affect the physical hardware, causing damage to the centrifuges. By sending false data back to the operators, Stuxnet was able to make it appear as though the centrifuges were operating correctly, while it caused them to damage themselves. The ability of Stuxnet both to cause damage to physical systems and to hide itself illustrates the ability of a cyber-physical attack to disrupt manufacturing systems and the need for physical methods of detection [4]. Another example of a cyber-physical attack is the hijacking of insulin pumps. In this case a hacker is able to connect to a Bluetooth enabled insulin pump to control the dose of insulin given to the wearer. By increasing or decreasing the dosage of insulin, it is possible to cause serious injury or even death in the user. The currently security system for these pumps is insufficient to prevent a cyber-physical attack that could have potentially lethal consequences [5].
Intracerebral hemorrhage induces macrophage activation and matrix metalloproteinases

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is characterized by parenchymal hematoma formation with surrounding inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases defined by inflammation and cell death. To investigate the expression profile and pathogenic aspects of MMPs in ICH, we examined MMP expression in vivo using a collagenase‐induced rat model of ICH. ICH increased brain MMP‐2, ‐3, ‐7, and ‐9 mRNA levels relative to sham‐injected (control) animals in the vicinity of the hematoma, but MMP‐12 (macrophage metalloelastase) was the most highly induced MMP (>80‐fold). Immunohistochemistry showed MMP‐12 to be localized in activated monocytoid cells surrounding the hematoma. In vitro studies showed that thrombin, released during ICH, induced MMP‐12 expression in monocytoid cells, which was reduced by minocycline application. Similarly, in vivo minocycline treatment significantly reduced MMP‐12 levels in brain. Neuropathological studies disclosed marked glial activation and apoptosis after ICH that was reduced by minocycline treatment. Neurobehavioral outcomes also were improved with minocycline treatment compared with untreated ICH controls. Thus, select MMPs exhibit increased expression after ICH, whereas minocycline is neuroprotective after ICH by suppressing monocytoid cell activation and downregulating MMP‐12 expression.Ann Neurol 2003;53:731–742
Breast-feeding patterns in the Philippines: a prospective analysis

Summary Data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey have been used to examine breast-feeding patterns in the Metropolitan Cebu region of the Philippines. The results show that there is extensive and early use of non-nutritive liquids, resulting in low levels of exclusive breast-feeding. The use of cross-sectional versus longitudinal data, the definition of exclusive breast-feeding, and movements in and out of the exclusively breast-fed category, are considered.
Bacterial Community Structure and Function along a Heavy Metal Gradient

The response of the planktonic, sediment, and epilithic bacterial communities to increasing concentrations of heavy metals was determined in a polluted river. None of the communities demonstrated a pollution-related effect on bacterial numbers (viable and total), heterotrophic activity, resistance to Pb or Cu, or species diversity as determined by either the Shannon-Wiener diversity index or rarefaction. The lack of correlation between concentrations of heavy metals and resistance in the sediment bacterial community was investigated and found to be due at least in part to the high pH of the river water and the resultant reduction in heavy metal toxicity. The three different communities demonstrated characteristic profiles based on the relative abundances of bacterial strains grouped according to functional similarities.
Formation of Cyclic 1 , / V 2-Propanodeoxyguanosine Adducts in DMA upon Reaction with Acrolein or Crotonaldehyde 1 2

Acrolein reacted with deoxyguanosine at pH 7 and 37Â°to give three major products, Adducts 1 to 3, which were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. They were identified by their ultraviolet, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance spec tra, by the spectra of the corresponding guanine derivatives, and by chemical transformations. Adducts 1 and 2 were two rapidly equilibrating diastereomers of 3-(2-deoxy-/8-D-e/yf/7ro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6-hydroxypyrimido[1,2-a]purine10(3H)one, and Adduci 3 was 3-(2-deoxy-/3-D-e/yf/7ro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-hydroxypyrimido[1,2-a]purine10(3H)one. Adducts 1 and 2 were formed by Michael addition of N-1 of deoxyguanosine to C-3 of acrolein, followed by ring closure between A/2 of deoxyguanosine and C-1 of acrolein. Adduct 3 was formed by ring closure in the opposite direction. Adduci 3 was analogous to the major crotonaldehyde-deoxyguanosine adducts which were previously characterized. Adduct 3 (0.2 mmol/mol DNA-P) or the corresponding crotonaldehyde adduct (0.03 mmol/mol DNA-P) was formed when either acrolein or crotonaldehyde was allowed to react with DNA at pH 7 and 37Â°. These results demonstrate that cyclic 1,A/2-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts are formed by reaction of acrolein and cro tonaldehyde with DNA.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Infantile Hemangioma Reside in the Perivascular Region

Infantile hemangioma grows quickly in the first year of life and regresses slowly to fibrofatty tissue during childhood; mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to contribute to this adipogenesis. Recent studies have shown the perivascular origin of MSCs in multiple organs. We hypothesized that MSCs in hemangioma might also reside in the perivascular region. We isolated MSCs from proliferating hemangioma by their selective adhesion to plastic culture dishes. Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and foreskin-derived fibroblasts were used as controls. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine their antigen profiles; in vitro induction of multi-lineage differentiation was performed to test their pluripotency. Platelet-derived growth factor R-β (PDGFR-β), CD133, and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were selected as the markers to observe MSCs in hemangioma by immunohistochemistry staining, with costaining of CD31 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Hemangioma-derived MSCs (Hem-MSCs) had fibroblast-like morphology; they expressed the MSC markers CD105, CD90, CD29, and vimentin and did not express the hematopoietic/endothelial markers CD45, CD34, CD31, and flt-1; Hem-MSCs also expressed CD133 and PPAR-γ. Most Hem-MSCs expressed PDGFR-β and α-SMA; in contrast, the expression of PDGFR-β and α-SMA in BM-MSCs was very weak. The Hem-MSCs differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts in vitro. This confirmed their pluripotency. Immunohistochemistry showed the colocalization of PDGFR-β/α-SMA, CD133/α-SMA, and PPAR-γ/α-SMA in the perivascular region. MSCs were successfully obtained from proliferating hemangioma, revealing the perivascular origin of MSCs in hemangioma.
Effectiveness of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for Adolescents with Serious Mental Illness: 12 Month Naturalistic Follow-Up Study

Objective: The aim of this naturalistic longitudinal study was to examine the effectiveness of individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy in reducing symptoms and improving overall functioning for adolescents with severe mental illness beyond the changes observed with treatment as usual. Changes to family functioning were also examined. Method: Participants at 12 month follow up were 55 of an initial group of 80 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services patients with complex, severe mental illness (32 female, mean age = 15.11 years). At initial assessment 40 participants were offered psychoanalytic psychotherapy when a psychotherapist became available; 23 accepted and received once- or twice-weekly psychoanalytic psychotherapy for 4–12 months. Out of the initial 57 participants who received Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services treatment as usual, 33 were reassessed at 12 months. Self-reported depressive symptoms, parent-reported social and attention problems and researcher-evaluated overall functioning and family functioning were measured at initial assessment and 12 months later. Results: At 12 months, psychotherapy was associated with a greater reduction in depressive, social and attention problems than treatment as usual, alone, if these problems were initially in the clinical range. There was no effect on participant overall functioning or family functioning. Conclusions: This naturally occurring sample of seriously ill adolescents referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for assessment were suffering complex mental illness and poor mental health. Empirical evidence is presented that psychoanalytic psychotherapy is an effective addition to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services treatment as usual for mental illness in adolescence, particularly for more severe and complex cases. The naturalistic study design and participant attrition are possible study limitations.
Prospective study of asymptomatic valvular aortic stenosis. Clinical, echocardiographic, and exercise predictors of outcome.

BACKGROUND Only limited data on the rate of hemodynamic progression and predictors of outcome in asymptomatic patients with valvular aortic stenosis (AS) are available. METHODS AND RESULTS In 123 adults (mean age, 63 +/- 16 years) with asymptomatic AS, annual clinical, echocardiographic, and exercise data were obtained prospectively (mean follow-up of 2.5 +/- 1.4 years). Aortic jet velocity increased by 0.32 +/- 0.34 m/s per year and mean gradient by 7 +/- 7 mm Hg per year; valve area decreased by 0.12 +/- 0.19 cm2 per year. Kaplan-Meier event-free survival, with end points defined as death (n = 8) or aortic valve surgery (n = 48), was 93 +/- 5% at 1 year, 62 +/- 8% at 3 years, and 26 +/- 10% at 5 years. Univariate predictors of outcome included baseline jet velocity, mean gradient, valve area, and the rate of increase in jet velocity (all P < or = .001) but not age, sex, or cause of AS. Those with an end point had a smaller exercise increase in valve area, blood pressure, and cardiac output and a greater exercise decrease in stroke volume. Multivariate predictors of outcome were jet velocity at baseline (P < .0001), the rate of change in jet velocity (P < .0001), and functional status score (P = .002). The likelihood of remaining alive without valve replacement at 2 years was only 21 +/- 18% for a jet velocity at entry > 4.0 m/s, compared with 66 +/- 13% for a velocity of 3.0 to 4.0 m/s and 84 +/- 16% for a jet velocity < 3.0 m/s (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS In adults with asymptomatic AS, the rate of hemodynamic progression and clinical outcome are predicted by jet velocity, the rate of change in jet velocity, and functional status.
Bidding in Simultaneous Auctions with a Constraint on Exposure

We consider the problem of determining a profit maximizing set of sealed bids in simultaneous auctions that are independent except for a restriction on the total of all bids. Although the objective function is not concave, we show that a Lagrangian approach will often yield an optimal answer and, when it does not, will yield a good solution and a bound on possible further improvements. Characteristics of optimal sets of bids are proven. The methodology employed will be generally attractive for any problem that involves allocating a single resource among a large number of competing activities with convex-concave profit functions.
Competence, contingency, and the development of perceived control.

In an effort to learn how perceived internal control changes with age, 33 developmental studies using 12 different locus of control (LOC) scales are surveyed. A few studies show developmental declines in perceived control, about half show consistent developmental increases, and about half show mixed results or no significant developmental differences. A critical examination of the LOC scales reveals that some developmental findings may be artifacts of scale characteristics, and that others may reflect developmental effects on constructs other than perceived control. Most importantly, the scales and the LOC literature fail to distinguish clearly betwen two dimensions of perceived control that may show quite different patterns of developmental change. These dimensions are perceived contingency of outcomes and perceived competence of self; combined, they form a simple but potentially powerful conceptual framework for theory and research on the development of perceived control. The explanatory power of this framework is briefly illustrated, relevant evidence is surveyed, and embryonic proposals are advanced for the study of perceived contingency and competence independently and in interaction.
Remote scheme for password authentication based on theory quadratic residues

We propose a remote password authentication scheme based on quadratic residues. In our scheme, any legal user can freely choose his own password in the card initialization phase. Using his password and smart card which contains identity and other information, he can then log into the system successfully. According to our analysis, intruders cannot obtain any secret information from the public information, or derive any password from intercepted messages. In addition, our scheme can withstand the attack of replaying previously intercepted log-in requests.
EMITTER DESIGN WITH COST-EFFECTIVE IMPLANTATION

Until very recently, ion implantation has been too expensive for PV applications. However, an ion implanter has become commercially available for PV very recently, and has been used to fabricate some devices with very low saturation current-densities. We predict possible applications utilizing a combination of implantation, annealing, device, and circuit modeling. Ion energies of 30 keV and doses in the range of 5×10–1×10 cm are sufficient for obtaining cell efficiency levels above 20% if appropriate wafer material is used. We investigate how such emitters can be optimally used in various cell structures.
New cepstral zero-pole vocal tract models for TTS synthesis

Speech is an analog sound signal produced by exciting the human vocal tract. The magnitude response of the vocal tract exhibits both peaks (formants) and valleys (antiformants). Vocal tract models are differentiated according to whether they model the formants alone (LPC models) or also antiformants (ARMA and cepstral models). New structures are proposed for an effective realization of cepstral vocal tract models that model both formants and antiformants.
Effectiveness of model-based clustering in analyzing RNA-seq time-course data Plasmodium falciparum

The genomics and microarray technology played tremendous Background: roles in the amount of biologically useful information on gene expression of thousands of genes to be simultaneously observed. This required various computational methods of analyzing these amounts of data in order to discover information about gene function and regulatory mechanisms. In this research, we investigated the usefulness of hidden markov Methods: models (HMM) as a method of clustering genes that Plasmodium falciparum show similar expression patterns. The Baum-Welch algorithm was used to train the dataset to determine the maximum likelihood estimate of the Model parameters. Cluster validation was conducted by performing a likelihood ratio test. The fitted HMM was able to identify 3 clusters from the dataset and Results: sixteen functional enrichment in the cluster set were found. This method efficiently clustered the genes based on their expression pattern while identifying erythrocyte membrane protein 1 as a prominent and diverse protein in . P. falciparum The ability of HMM to identify 3 clusters with sixteen functional Conclusion: enrichment from the 2000 genes makes this a useful method in functional cluster analysis for P. falciparum
Effect of Ca2+ Chelation on the Platelet Inhibitory Ability of the GPIIb/IIIa Antagonists Abciximab, Eptifibatide and Tirofiban

Summary Objective. Enhanced GPIIb/IIIa binding and inhibition of platelet aggregation of eptifibatide by the reduction of ionized plasma calcium concentrations have been reported. The present study compared the importance of Ca2+ chelation on the in vitro platelet inhibitory profiles of the GPIIb/IIIa antagonists abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban. Methods and Results. Turbidimetric platelet aggregation dose response curves of the various GPIIb/IIIa antagonists were performed using platelet rich plasma (PRP) anticoagulated with either trisodium citrate, or the non-chelating anticoagulant, PPACK. The concentrations of antagonist that resulted in 50% inhibition of TRAP-induced (10 M) platelet aggregation (IC50) were measured in the presence of either citrate or PPACK. In addition, the influence of Ca2+ chelation on the binding properties (relative affinity, on- and off-rates) of abciximab for the GPIIb/IIIa receptor on platelets was measured. For all three agonists, the IC50 concentrations were lower for platelets treated with citrate than PPACK, but the degree of difference varied among the agents. The mean TRAP IC50 values for citrate and PPACK were 88.2 ± 12.2 nM and 126.1 ± 28.4 nM for abciximab (1.4 fold enhancement; p = 0.0007), 75.9 ± 13.3 nM and 142.6 ± 32.6 nM for tirofiban (1.9-fold enhancement; p = 0.001), and 260.2 ± 62.5 nM and 810.3 ± 182.5 nM for eptifibatide (3.1-fold enhancement; p = 0.001). A similar shift in effective inhibitor concentrations for abciximab was observed with ADP (10 M). The relative affinities (EC50), on- and off-rates of abciximab for the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor in the presence of trisodium citrate and PPACK were equivalent. Conclusions. These data confirm previous observations that Ca2+ chelation afforded by citrate decreases the effective inhibitor concentrations of GPIIb/IIIa antagonists, as assessed by turbidimetric platelet aggregation. However, the extent of decrease was less for abciximab and tirofiban, compared to eptifibatide.