Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular cloning and characterization of B-cadherin, a novel chick cadherin

Calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion is mediated in large part by a set of homologous integral membrane glycoproteins termed cadherins. In this report, antibodies to conserved domains in previously described cadherins have been used to isolate cDNAs encoding a novel chick cadherin. The deduced primary structure of this novel molecule, assigned the name B-cadherin, contains 726 amino acid residues which include five extracellular domains characteristic of this class of adhesion molecules, a single putative transmembrane spanning region, and a cytoplasmic tail. In each domain, B-cadherin shares extensive homologies with other cadherins, but is more closely related to E- cadherin, P-cadherin, and L-CAM than to N-cadherin. It is expressed in a wide variety of chick tissues at embryonic day 13. In particular, immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization localize B- cadherin protein and mRNA to the epithelial lining of the choroid plexus and to cells in specific layers of the optic tectum in chick brain. Levels of the protein and RNA transcript change dramatically as development proceeds in chick brain. These results suggest that B- cadherin has important functions in neurogenesis, in at least some epithelia, and in embryogenesis.
Interleaved boost-input-type full bridge converter

In order to correct the power boost topology has been used for easy control. But conventional boost topology has some drawbacks switching voltage surge, cross conduction current and right-half-plane zero of its control transfer function. Furthermore in this topology output voltage is always higher than input. As a result the first-stage boost PFC converter is connected with the second-stage DC-DC converter. A new topology which can be used as single stage PFC converter is proposed in this paper
Radioprotective effect of vitamin E on salivary glands after radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer: a randomized-controlled trial

Objectives This study aimed to examine the radioprotective effect of vitamin E on salivary glands after radioactive iodine (131I) therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Patients and methods Eighty-two patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were enrolled in this study. They were divided randomly into four groups (control group: 22 cases, group A: 23 cases, group B: 22 cases, and group C: 15 cases) before postsurgical ablation therapy with 100 mCi 131I. The patients in groups A, B, and C received vitamin E 100, 200, and 300 mg/day orally, respectively, for a duration of 1 week before to 4 weeks after 131I therapy. Salivary gland function was assessed using salivary gland scintigraphy immediately before and 6 months after 131I therapy. Uptake fraction (UF), uptake index (UI), excretion fraction (EF), and excretion ratio (ER) of each salivary gland were measured and compared. Results On comparison between before and after 131I therapy in the control group, there was a significant decrease in UF of both right and left parotid glands (all P<0.01). In group A, a significant increase in EF of the right parotid gland (P<0.01) and UI of the right submandibular gland (P<0.05) was found. In group B, there was a significant increase in UI of the right parotid gland and both submandibular glands (all P<0.01). In group C, there was a significant increase in UF of the left parotid gland (P<0.05) and the right submandibular gland (P<0.01). Also, there was a statistical increase in UI in both submandibular glands (all P<0.01). However, on comparing the changes in the post-131I therapy salivary scintigraphy parameters among the four groups, there was a significant difference in &Dgr;UI of the right parotid gland (P<0.05) and both submandibular glands (all P<0.01), as well as &Dgr;ER of the left parotid gland (P<0.05) and &Dgr;UF of the left submandibular gland (P<0.05). Conclusion Vitamin E exerts significant protective effects on the parotid and submandibular glands after 131I therapy.
Seabird seasonal trophodynamics: isotopic patterns in a community of Pacific alcids

We measured δ 15 N and δ 13 C values in the blood of breeding adults and nestlings of 5 species of alcids at Triangle Island, British Columbia, to estimate the extent to which these seabirds alter their foraging ecology across successive breeding stages. Considerable intraspecific (stage-to- stage) and interspecific variation was found. Two species—common murre Uria aalge and pigeon guillemot Cepphus columba—fed consistently at high trophic levels (i.e. diets of fish) in inshore or benthically linked habitats. The foraging ecology of 3 others—Cassin's auklet Ptychoramphus aleu- ticus, rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata and tufted puffin Fratercula cirrhata —was more variable. Tufted puffins exhibited especially dramatic trophic and habitat shifts between early and late-season diets. With the exception of tufted puffin, the diet of provisioning adults differed from that fed to their nestlings. Trophic level of the community as a whole increased as the season progressed due to the combination of trophic shifting by rhinoceros auklets and tufted puffins, and earlier breed- ing by zooplanktivorous Cassin's auklets than by piscivorous murres and guillemots. Our results con- tribute to a growing body of evidence that marine bird species exhibit considerable flexibility in their foraging behaviour and also shed new light on seasonal patterns in the trophic relations within marine bird communities.
On the stability of adaptive pole-placement controllers with a saturating actuator

This paper addresses the following question: How do existing pole-placement algorithms work in the case of a saturating input? The stability of such algorithms and the modifications needed to make them work in the presence of saturation are examined here. The net results of this examination are: a mathematical condition for closed-loop stability, physical intuition behind this condition, some explanation of why adaptive control has been successfully implemented - even while ignoring saturation, and some design rules for doing adaptive control on linear plants with saturating actuators.
The reanalysis of three large datasets uncovers progressive telomere erosion between healthy human generations and supports an 11-year-old model of telomere-driven macroevolution

Upon re-examination of large telomere datasets from healthy human populations, a downward secular trend in telomere length at birth was found. The authors theorized that relatively recent environmental stresses to female germ cells could have driven the observed intergenerational telomere erosion; otherwise, these trends would have pushed populations into pathological telomere length ranges within a few centuries. Strangely, the authors decided to disregard an 11-year-old theory of telomere-driven macroevolution that is based on progressive intergenerational telomere loss as the driving force behind species extinction and speciation. Additionally, Holohan and colleagues introduced a "new" interpretation of the old-father-long-telomered-offspring effect, namely as a consequence of intergenerational telomere erosion in the female lineage. Yet, an identical theoretical model has been published twice, several years before. To distinguish between a temporary trend caused by environmental pollution and a general evolutionary mechanism of intergenerational telomere erosion, we urgently need telomere length data from multigenerational studies on mammals with a short generation-time. 1
Cross-national comparisons of seafood consumption and rates of bipolar disorders.

OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine if greater seafood consumption, a measure of omega-3 fatty acid intake, is associated with lower prevalence rates of bipolar disorder in community samples. METHOD Lifetime prevalence rates in various countries for bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, bipolar spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia were identified from population-based epidemiological studies that used similar methods. These epidemiological studies used structured diagnostic interviews with similar diagnostic criteria and were population based with large sample sizes. Simple linear and nonlinear regression analyses were used to compare these prevalence data to differences in apparent seafood consumption, an economic measure of disappearance of seafood from the economy. RESULTS Simple exponential decay regressions showed that greater seafood consumption predicted lower lifetime prevalence rates of bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and bipolar spectrum disorder. Bipolar II disorder and bipolar spectrum disorder had an apparent vulnerability threshold below 50 lb of seafood/person/year. The absence of a correlation between lifetime prevalence rates of schizophrenia and seafood consumption suggests a specificity to affective disorders. CONCLUSIONS These data describe a robust correlational relationship between greater seafood consumption and lower prevalence rates of bipolar disorders. These data provide a cross-national context for understanding ongoing clinical intervention trials of omega-3 fatty acids in bipolar disorders.
Independent stiffness and force control of antagonistic pneumatic artificial muscles joint

Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) get widely adopted due to their similar properties compared with biological muscles. PAM is a typical pneumatic actuator. Its capability to inflate is the main characteristic, and it can produce indiscriminate expansibility. The joint of this experiment is all composed of antagonistic PAMs. In order to gain a better performance, the experiment firstly established the model of PAMs. Concerning the fact that in essence, PAM is an elastic actuator, built its dynamic model, and got its stiffness model based on the assumption that PAM can be seen as variable stiffness springs. Its force and stiffness are proportional to the application pressure. This experiment requires an accurate mathematical model and a precise control method to achieve a good performance. But given that complex nonlinear dynamics exists in PMAs, an accurate mathematic model is hardly available, which leads us to consider the sliding control method. This suggestion guarantees independent controls on the force and stiffness of the joints. The experiment showed that the joints' control algorithm gave the celerity and accuracy on controlling the force and stiffness, and it compared results of different loads.
Cultures associées et contrôle des populations de pucerons, mécanismes et perspectives

Les systemes agricoles intensifs traditionnels sont souvent bases sur l'optimisation de la productivite de monocultures, avec de grandes quantites d'intrants, fertilisants et produits phytosanitaires. Dans ces systemes, la diversite vegetale a l'interieur des parcelles est reduite a une espece, genetiquement homogene, plantee uniformement et symetriquement. Ce type de systemes est desormais remis en question a cause de l'impact negatif sur la qualite du sol et des eaux, l'erosion, la pollution, l'utilisation de combustibles fossiles et la perte de biodiversite (Malezieux et al. 2009). Des systemes de culture alternatifs, bases sur l'association raisonnee d'especes au sein d'une meme parcelle, peuvent au contraire presenter de multiples avantages et permettre de reduire les intrants. L'association peut prendre de multiples formes, en jouant sur la succession (cultures intercalaires ou simultanees), l'arrangement spatial (en rang, en bloc, en melange.) et les especes vegetales associees (association de 2 cultures ou d'une culture principale et d'une plante de service non recoltees.). Le gain recherche est le plus souvent lie aux processus de facilitation pouvant se mettre en place entre les plantes, permettant une meilleure utilisation des ressources (lumiere, eau, elements nutritifs) et ainsi une productivite superieure sur une surface donnee (exprimee en LER, pour Land Equivalent Ratio). De plus en plus d'etudes mettent en avant outre ces processus de facilitation, un interet des associations culturales pour la protection des cultures contre les ravageurs et observent une intensite des degâts plus faible dans les cultures associees, comparees aux monocultures. Les mecanismes invoques peuvent etre directs ou indirects. La connaissance de ces mecanismes est necessaire pour optimiser les modalites d'association et la productivite du systeme. Nous allons presenter les principaux mecanismes decrits dans la litterature, qui ont ete particulierement etudies pour les pucerons et pour les associations impliquant des brassicacees cultivees (Hooks et Johnson, 2003). Les premiers resultats du projet regional INTRANBA, visant a concevoir des associations fabacees-brassicacees pour reduire les intrants azotes tout en favorisant le controle naturel des populations de pucerons des brassicacees, illustreront certains de ces mecanismes.
Meteor: a middleware infrastructure for content‐based decoupled interactions in pervasive grid environments

Emerging pervasive information and computational environments require a content‐based middleware infrastructure that is scalable, self‐managing, and asynchronous. In this paper, we propose associative rendezvous (AR) as a paradigm for content‐based decoupled interactions for pervasive grid applications. We also present Meteor, a content‐based middleware infrastructure to support AR interactions. The design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of Meteor are presented. Evaluations include experiments using deployments on a local area network, the wireless ORBIT testbed at Rutgers University, and the PlanetLab wide‐area testbed, as well as simulations. Evaluation results demonstrate the scalability, effectiveness, and performance of Meteor to support pervasive grid applications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical modelling of mixed‐phase frontal clouds observed during the CWVC project

The Met Office's cloud‐resolving model was used to model mixed‐phase frontal clouds observed as part of the Clouds, Water Vapour and Climate programme between 1999 and 2001. The clouds were studied using the Met Office's C130 aircraft and the Chilbolton radar facility.
Replacement of 137Cs Irradiators with X-ray Irradiators

Self-shielded 137Cs irradiators have been used for many years to irradiate blood products to prevent graft vs. host disease and to irradiate cells and small animals in research. A report by the National Academy of Sciences recommends that careful consideration be given to replacement of 137Cs irradiators with x-ray irradiators. Several manufacturers and users of x-ray irradiators were contacted to determine costs of replacing and maintaining 137Cs irradiators with x-ray units and to assess users’ experience with x-ray irradiators. Purchase costs of x-ray units are similar to 137Cs irradiators, but maintenance costs are significantly higher if annual service contracts are used. Performance of the two irradiator types appears to be equivalent, but in some cases x-ray irradiations may need to be performed in multiple configurations to achieve adequate uniformity in dose. No literature reports were found that evaluated the biological effectiveness of x rays vs. 137Cs gamma rays; therefore, a careful study should be conducted to determine the biological effectiveness of x rays vs. 137Cs gamma rays for biological responses relevant to transfusion medicine and immunological research. Throughput may be problematic for large transfusion medicine programs, and back-up plans may be necessary in case the x-ray unit needs to be taken out of service for extended maintenance. Disposition of a 137Cs irradiator will add to the cost of replacement with an x-ray unit, but disposal may be possible through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Off-Site Source Recovery Program.
Child Labor and School Achievement in Latin America

Child labori¾’s effect on academic achievement is estimated, using unique data on 3rd and 4th graders in 9 Latin American countries. Cross-country variation in truancy regulations provides an exogenous shift in the ages of children normally in these grades, providing exogenous variation in opportunity cost of child time. Least-squares estimates of the impact of child labor on test scores are biased downward, but corrected estimates are still negative and statistically significant. Children working one standard deviation above the mean have average scores that are 16% lower on mathematics exams and 11% lower on language exams, consistent with estimates of the adverse impact of child labor on returns to schooling.
The impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss

Purpose of review The present paper reviews the current literature on the impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss. Recent findings Most clinicians focus their evaluation of recurrent pregnancy loss on the female, without much, if any, consideration of the other half of the couple – the male. Yet, the male contributes one-half of the genes for the embryo. Recent literature demonstrates that the male contributes to recurrent pregnancy loss due to genetic factors, semen factors or due to other factors such as age. Summary Recurrent pregnancy loss results as a factor of a couple. This paper emphasizes the contribution of the male to implantation failure, miscarriage, and congenital anomalies suggested by recent literature. The current data are preliminary. With further investigation, evaluation of the male may be considered a routine part of the evaluation in the near future.
Development of the Brief Addiction Therapist Scale (BATS) : a tool for evaluating therapist delivery of psychological therapies for alcohol and drug use problems

This thesis describes the development of the BATS: a brief, evidence-based tool monitoring and evaluating therapists’ delivery of psychological therapies used in routine practice for alcohol and drug use problems. The BATS is transtheoretical, applicable to the range of widely used therapies in addiction. Four studies were undertaken to develop the BATS. Study 1 identified twenty-six fidelity measures from the literature that evaluate therapists’ delivery of psychological therapies for alcohol and drug use problems. Study 2 generated items and response formats for potential inclusion in the BATS using the identified measures as a basis. Generation of the items was primarily based on the results of a thematic analysis; eighteen exemplar items were developed. Study 3 generated a consensus among experts in the fields of addiction and psychotherapy on the content of the BATS. A consensus was obtained using a three-round Delphi survey. At the conclusion of the third round, group agreement on the 12 scale items and response format was reached. This content formed the first version of the BATS. Study 4 tested the psychometric properties of the newly developed scale. The results provided support for inter-rater reliability and convergent validity. The BATS provides a reliable and valid method for evaluating treatment delivery in routine practice, helping to improve our understanding of the process of therapy in addiction. The real world application of the BATS provides a useful tool for training and supervision, which has the potential to impact on therapist competence and treatment delivery.
Adrenal response to ACTH in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome, simple obesity, and constitutional dwarfism.

In 1956 Prader, Labhart, and Willi first described a group of patients who presented with 'floppiness' at birth and later became obese, dwarfed, and mentally retarded, and some had impaired glucose tolerance tests. Further articles followed (Prader and Willi, 1961; Laurance, 1961, 1967; Forssman and Hagberg, 1964; Evans, 1964; Hooft, Delire, and Casneuf, 1966). Laurance gave a detailed description of the syndrome. The features which he considered characteristic were obesity, mental retardation, hypogonadism, hypotonia, shortness of stature, prominent forehead, almond-shaped eyes, retrousse nose, small fish-like mouth, short hands and feet. All of them were floppy at birth and some of them showed a diabetic type of glucose tolerance test. Laurance concluded that the adrenal function was normal in these patients, but Forssman and Hagberg reported a reduced response to ACTH. In the present paper we report a comparison of the plasma cortisol response to ACTH in 22 subjects, 6 of whom were children showing the features of Prader-Willi syndrome as described above. Of the remainder, 6 were children with constitutional short stature, 4 were children with simple obesity, and 6 were healthy adolescents with no known metabolic disease. Evidence is also presented from the results of long-term ACTH (3 days) in 2 cases of Prader-Willi syndrome that the urinary 17-OHCS output parallels their plasma cortisol response.
An enterprise-level system view for the intelligent grid in Korea

The power system in Korea has played a central role as the core infrastructure of the industrial society through stable supply enabled by continuous innovation and development of power technology for the past century. The importance of reliable, high-quality electrical power continues to grow as society enters into a new era of economics driven by digitally-based technologies. Enabling the digital economy of the future will require an intelligent power grid based on information infrastructure. For the implementation of the intelligent grid, the enterprise-level system view needs to be defined first in the aspect of the whole power system. In this paper, the enterprise-level system view for the intelligent grid in Korea is described. It will support the implementation of the intelligent grid for the utilities having power system environments similar to Korea and give a guideline to identify an intelligent application from the enterprise-level point of view.
Young Asian men with diabetes have the highest risk for acute coronary events: retrospective cohort analyses

Objective To understand the ethnic differences in coronary heart disease risk among inpatients with diabetes following acute coronary syndrome. Design Single-centre retrospective cohort-analysis of patients with type II diabetes over a six-year period receiving standard care. Setting Birmingham, UK. Participants One thousand and one hundred and five patients with type II diabetes from a multi-ethnic background. Main outcome measures Odds ratios of coronary heart disease events among three ethnic groups. Results The prevalence of coronary heart disease events was 20.7% in Asian, 13.2% in Caucasian and 7.7% in Afro-Caribbean patients. Asian patients were younger at diagnosis of diabetes (−5.1 years p < 0.001 versus Afro-Caribbeans and −7.1 years p < 0.001 versus Caucasians). The mean number of events was highest amongst Asian (1.2) compared to Caucasian (1.1) and Afro-Caribbean (1.0) patients (p = 0.04). The mean age at first event was 61.3 years for Asians, 62.5 years and 65.8 for Afro-Caribbeans and Caucasians, respectively (analysis of variance F[2,131] = 2.36 p = 0.09). Un-adjusted odds ratios for at least one coronary heart disease event were highest among Asian men (OR 5.04; 95% CI 2.31–11.01; p < 0.0001) with Afro-Caribbean women as baseline (OR 1.0). The odds ratios remain largely unchanged (1.0 Afro-Caribbeans [baseline], 1.27 [p = 0.56] Caucasians and 3.2 [p = 0.001] for Asians) when corrected for age, gender, duration of diabetes, insulin dependency, mean low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, mean glycated haemoglobin, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (logistic regression; ROC: 79% AUC). Afro-Caribbean patients had the highest mean high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (1.6 mmol/L) and the lowest risk for coronary heart disease events. Conclusions Asian patients were younger at their first event and diagnosed earlier with diabetes. Asian men had the highest risk of coronary heart disease event which correlated with the lowest levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.