Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reciprocity, passivity and causality in Willis materials

Materials that require coupling between the stress–strain and momentum–velocity constitutive relations were first proposed by Willis (Willis 1981 Wave Motion 3, 1–11. (doi:10.1016/0165-2125(81)90008-1)) and are now known as elastic materials of the Willis type, or simply Willis materials. As coupling between these two constitutive equations is a generalization of standard elastodynamic theory, restrictions on the physically admissible material properties for Willis materials should be similarly generalized. This paper derives restrictions imposed on the material properties of Willis materials when they are assumed to be reciprocal, passive and causal. Considerations of causality and low-order dispersion suggest an alternative formulation of the standard Willis equations. The alternative formulation provides improved insight into the subwavelength physical behaviour leading to Willis material properties and is amenable to time-domain analyses. Finally, the results initially obtained for a generally elastic material are specialized to the acoustic limit.
Cooperativity effect involving drug–DNA/RNA intermolecular interaction: A B3LYP-D3 and MP2 theoretical investigation on ketoprofen⋯cytosine⋯H2O system

In order to examine the origin of the drug action and design new DNA/RNA-targeted drugs, the cooperativity effect involving drug–DNA/RNA intermolecular interaction in ketoprofen⋯cytosine⋯H2O ternary system were investigated by the B3LYP, B3LYP-D3, and MP2 methods with the 6-311++G(2d,p) basis set. The thermodynamic cooperativity was also evaluated at 310.15 K. The N–H⋯O, O–H⋯O, O–H⋯N, C–H⋯N, and C–H⋯O H bonds coexist in ternary complexes. The intermolecular interactions obtained by B3LYP-D3 are close to those calculated by MP2. The steric effects and van der Waals interactions have little influence on the cooperativity effects. The anti-cooperativity effect in ket⋯cyt⋯H2O is far more notable than the cooperativity effect, and the stability of the cyclic structure with anti-cooperativity effect is higher than that of the linear structure with cooperativity effect, as is confirmed by the AIM (atoms in molecules) and RDG (reduced density gradient) analysis. Thus, it can be inferred that, in the presence of H2O, the anti-cooperativity effect plays a dominant role in the drug–DNA/RNA interaction, and the nature of the hydration in the binding of drugs to DNA/RNA bases is the H-bonding anti-cooperativity effect. Furthermore, the drug always links simultaneously with DNA/RNA base and H2O, and only in this way can the biological activity of drugs play a role. In most cases, the enthalpy change is the major factor driving the cooperativity, as is different from most of biomacromolecule complexes.
Deep speckle noise filtering

Speckle removal from single-channel and multi-dimensional SAR remains a difficult problem. In this paper, we are investigating the use of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), previously applied to the Super-Resolution problem, for speckle removal. Because speckle noise statistics is signal dependent, we are training the neural network on the residual image formed by the ratio of the observed intensity to the local mean. Preliminary results on SAR and PolSAR show the potential of CNN to retrieve lost image details.
Long‐Term Treatment of Angina Pectoris with Bisoprolol or Atenolol in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis: A Randomized, Double‐Blind Crossover Study

Forty outpatients suffering from angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease and concomitant reversible, chronic obstructive bronchitis were treated with the β1-selective β-blockers atenolol (50 mg) and bisoprolol (5 mg) for 6 months in each case, following a randomized, double-blind crossover study design. Lung function tests were carried out by means of whole-body plethysmography before and then several times during treatment, 2 to 4 h after drug intake (once daily in the morning). The main target variables for the factorial analysis of variance for comparison of the two β-blockers were the airway resistance (AWR), the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Bicycle ergometry was performed before and after therapy in order to check the cardiovascular effects of the two β-blockers. The patients were questioned as to their angina pectoris and bronchitis symptoms at the monthly check-ups. There was no difference between the two β-blockers (p > 0.05), both causing a slight increase in AWR, which increased with therapy duration, and a small but significant decrease in FEV1 and PEFR (p < 0.01). The bronchitis symptoms were not affected: however, seasonal influences were detected. Atenolol and bisoprolol had comparably pronounced effects on the cardiovascular parameters during ergometry (blood pressure, heart rate, W min product, and ST-segment depression) and the frequency of angina pectoris attacks. Even β1-selective β-blockers may cause an impairment of lung function in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. This may be due to the presence of β1-adrenoceptors in the bronchial tissue. Fifty milligrams of atenolol and 5 mg of bisoprolol once per day are effective in the treatment of angina pectoris.
Discordant Immunologic and Virologic Responses to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Are Associated With Increased Mortality and Poor Adherence to Therapy

Objective:To examine the independent association of discordant virologic and immunologic responses to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with mortality. Methods:A population-based study of 1527 treatment-naive individuals initiating HAART used Cox proportional hazards modeling to determine the independent association of treatment response at 3 to 9 months with nonaccidental mortality. Logistic regression was used to examine associations with discordant responses. Results:Viral load (VL)+/CD4− discordant responses were seen in 235 (15.4%) of subjects, and VL−/CD4+ responses were seen in 179 (11.7%) of subjects. In adjusted Cox regression models, discordant responses were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of mortality (VL+/CD4−: relative hazard [RH] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15 to 3.04; VL−/CD4+: RH = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.54 to 3.95). VL+/CD4− discordance was found to be associated with increasing age, baseline HIV RNA load <100,000 copies/mL, baseline CD4 counts <50 cells/μL, the use of lamivudine (3TC)/zidovudine (ZDV), and poor adherence to therapy. VL−/CD4+ discordance was associated with younger age; injection drug use; baseline HIV RNA load >100,000 copies/mL; the use of 3TC/ZDV, didanosine (ddI)/3TC, or ddI/stavudine; and poor adherence to therapy. Conclusion:Discordant responses are independently associated with an increased risk of mortality and are, in turn, associated with poor adherence to therapy.
Constitutive RNA synthesis for the yeast activator ADR1 and identification of the ADR1-5c mutation: implications in posttranslational control of ADR1

The regulation of mRNA production for the yeast positive activator ADR1, a gene required for the expression of the glucose-repressible alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH II), was studied. ADR1 mRNA levels did not vary when yeasts were switched from glucose- to ethanol-containing medium, while ADH II expression increased 100-fold. The mRNA for the ADR1-5c allele, which augments ADH II expression 60-fold during glucose repression, was not present in greater abundance than ADR1 mRNA. Additionally, the ccr1-1 allele, which blocks ADH2 mRNA formation and partially suppresses the ADR1-5c phenotype, did not alter the levels of ADR1 mRNA. These results indicate that ADR1 is not transcriptionally controlled. To determine the character of the ADR1-5c mutation, the region containing the mutation was identified and sequenced. At base pair +683 a G-to-A transition was detected in the ADR1 coding sequence which would result in the substitution of a lysine residue for an arginine at amino acid 228. The location of the ADR1-5c mutation in the interior of the ADR1 coding sequences suggests that it enhances the activity of an extant but inactive ADR1 protein rather than increases the abundance of ADR1 by altered translation of its mRNA. The ADR1-5c mutation occurs in a region of the polypeptide corresponding to a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation recognition sequence. The potential role of reversible phosphorylation in the posttranslational regulation of ADR1 is discussed.
Disability assessment in mental illnesses using Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Psychiatric disorders cause disability in individuals and pose significant burden on their families. In most of the cases residual disability and poor quality of life continue even after disability evaluation in patients with chronic mental illness in very important. The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the disability in patients with schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS). METHODS Patients diagnosed to have schizophrenia and OCD with mild severity of illness were included in the study. Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS) was applied. Disability was assessed in these patients on all domains of IDEAS. RESULTS Majority of the patients with schizophrenia were from rural areas whereas most of the patients with OCD were from urban background. There was comparable disability in the patients with schizophrenia with duration of illness in the range of 2-5 yr and >5 yr. Significant disability in work and global score was seen in patients of obsessive-compulsive disorder with duration of illness >5 yr. Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher disability in all domains than patients with OCD. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Schizophrenia causes greater disability than obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients. These illnesses affect all areas of daily functioning leading to greater disability, and thus increasing the burden on the family, pose greater challenge for the rehabilitation of patients and their inclusion in the mainstream of the family and society. Further studies on a larger sample need to be done to confirm the finding.
Polarization reconfigurable slot antenna for WLAN application

The reconfigurable antenna is one of the most important antennas in wireless communication and has drawn significant attentions [1–3]. The reconfigurable antennas can be divided into several types, including radiation pattern reconfigurable, polarization reconfigurable and frequency reconfigurable antennas. Polarization reconfigurable antennas are attractive for their intrinsic polarization diversity advantage [2–4]. The polarization of such antennas can be switched between linear polarization (LP), left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) to help optimize the performance of the system. In the study [5], dual linear polarizations can be excited in a slot by two orthogonal arranged microstrips. Also the bandwidth of slot antennas [4–5] is much wider than patch antennas [2–3], and bidirectional radiation can be achieved. To meet the specification of wide bandwidth, dual-polarization, and bidirectional radiation, slot antennas are widely selected for polarization reconfigurable use.
Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Modulates HSP70, iNOS, and Apoptosis during Hemorrhagic Shock Resuscitation in Rats

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether hemorrhage and resuscitation affect liver, intestinal, and renal expressions of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and apoptosis indexes (TUNEL, caspase-3 activation) and whether the expression of these proteins can be modulated by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) after a nonlethal hemorrhagic shock (HS) in rats. Methods: Forty rats were randomized into four groups: sham-operated, only HS, HS/resuscitation with blood plus normal saline (NS), and HS/resuscitation with blood/NS plus PDTC, 15 mg/kg body weight, intravenously. Rats were subjected to HS by blood removal to a mean arterial pressure of 35–40 mmHg through the femoral artery. After 1 hr of shock, the animals were resuscitated according to the experimental protocol. HSP70, iNOS, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and TUNEL were analyzed in liver, small intestine, and kidney 3 hr after resuscitation. Results: HS upregulated HSP70, iNOS, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and induced apoptosis (TUNEL) (p < .05 to < .001). Resuscitation was not associated with further increase of their expressions. The administration of PDTC during resuscitation decreased liver, intestinal, and renal activation of iNOS and apoptosis indexes (p < .05 to < .001), and was associated with further increase in HSP70 expression (p < .05). Conclusions: Our results show that HS resuscitation with PDTC modulates several signaling pathways (HSP70, iNOS, TUNEL, and caspase-3) in a rat model. The results suggest that PDTC administration—by reducing apoptosis and iNOS expression—may have a potential role in minimizing organ damage after severe hemorrhage.
Piperacillin penetration into tissue of critically ill patients with sepsis—Bolus versus continuous administration?

Objective:To describe a pharmacokinetic model of piperacillin concentrations in plasma and subcutaneous tissue when administered by bolus dosing and continuous infusion in critically ill patients with sepsis on days 1 and 2 of antibiotic therapy and to compare results against previous results for piperacillin from a cohort of patients with septic shock. Design:Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting:Eighteen-bed intensive care unit at 918-bed tertiary referral hospital. Patients:Thirteen critically ill adult patients with known or suspected sepsis in whom the treating physician deemed piperacillin–tazobactam appropriate therapy were conveniently sampled. Interventions:Patients were randomized to receive different daily doses of piperacillin–tazobactam by bolus dosing or continuous infusion (continuous infusion—six patients; bolus dosing—seven patients). Serial plasma and tissue concentrations were determined on days 1 and 2 of treatment. Tissue concentrations of piperacillin were determined using a subcutaneously inserted microdialysis catheter. Separate pharmacokinetic models were developed for both bolus and continuous dosing. Measurements and Main Results:This is the first known article to report concurrent plasma and subcutaneous tissue concentrations of a β-lactam antibiotic administered by bolus and continuous dosing in critically ill patients with sepsis. With a 25% lower piperacillin dose administered to the continuous infusion group, the infusion group had statistically significantly higher median plasma concentrations than the bolus group on day 2 (16.6 vs. 4.9 mg/L; p = 0.007). There was a trend to higher median plasma concentrations on day 1 in the bolus dosing group (8.9 vs. 4.9 mg/L; p = 0.078). Median tissue concentrations were not statistically different on day 1 (infusion group 2.4 mg/L vs. bolus group 2.2 mg/L; p = 0.48) and day 2 (infusion group 5.2 mg/L vs. bolus group 0.8 mg/L; p = 0.45). A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was found to describe the data best. Tissue pharmacodynamic targets were achieved more successfully with infusion dosing. Conclusions:Patients with sepsis do not seem to have the same level of impairment of tissue distribution as described for patients with septic shock. A 25% lower dose of piperacillin administered by continuous infusion seems to maintain higher trough concentrations compared with standard bolus dosing. It is likely that the clinical advantages of continuous infusion are most likely to be evident when treating pathogens with high minimum inhibitory concentration, although without therapeutic drug monitoring and subsequent dose adjustment, infusions may never achieve target concentrations of organisms with very high minimum inhibitory concentrations in a small number of patients.
STUDY OF INVENTORY MODEL FOR DETERIORATING ITEMS WITH EXPONENTIAL DEMAND FUNCTION

This paper develops an inventory model for deteriorating items consisting the ordering cost, unit cost, opportunity cost, deterioration cost and shortage co s t. In this inventory model instead of linear demand function nonlinear exponential function of time for deteriorating items with deterioration rate has been considered. The formulated model has numerically solved by bisection method. The effects of inflation and cash flow are also taken into account under a trade-credit policy of discount with time. In order to validate the model, numerical examples have been solved by bisection method using Matlab. Further, the sensitivity of different parameters is considered in order to estimate the cash flow. GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. Vol. 34 (2014) 89-100
Identification of Amino Acids Critical for the DNA Binding and Dimerization Properties of the Human Retinoic Acid Receptor α

Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) activate target genes by binding to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) as heterodimeric, asymmetrical complexes, and display a high degree of cooperativity in binding to RAREs. We have examined here the effect of lysine, cysteine, arginine, histidine, and tyrosine side chain chemical modification on the DNA binding, homo- and heterodimerization properties of the full-length human retinoic acid receptor α (hRARα). Lysines are the only residues to be engaged in the dimerization with human retinoid X receptor α (hRXRα) in the absence of DNA, whereas histidines are selectively involved in the homodimerization of hRARα in the presence of a RARE. Arginine modification affected the DNA binding activity of each type of dimer, whereas cysteines and tyrosines were primarily involved in the homo- or heterodimerization process in the presence of the same RARE. Modified lysines, interfering with the dimerization with hRXRα, were identified by receptor labeling and peptide mapping. They are located in the hormone binding domain eighth heptad repeat, at positions 360 and 365. In keeping with these results, mutation of Lys360, Val361, and Lys365 diminished strongly the DNA binding activity of hRARα as a homodimer or a heterodimer. Our results thus provide direct evidence for the differential involvement of basic, polar, or aromatic amino acids in the DNA binding, homodimerization, and heterodimerization properties of hRARα. Furthermore, they demonstrate the use of distinct dimerization interfaces and identify the type of amino acids involved in these protein-protein interactions.
A thermal-aware power management soft-IP for platform-based SoC designs

A novel thermal-aware power management (TAPM) software intellectual property (soft-IP) for modem platform-based SoC designs is presented. This research proposes the system-level architecture of thermal-aware power management, which includes a power management bus (PMB), TAPM soft-IP and interface circuitry for the proposed PMB. Each component of the proposed design is encapsulated into a soft-IP. With the above design, system architects are able to incorporate on-chip power-controls and sensors to achieve nominal power dissipation and ensure the targeted system works within specification. The design yields intricate control and optimal management with little system overhead and minimum hardware requirements, as well as providing the flexibility to support different management schemes. The proposed system and its components are designed, implemented and verified by a prototype chip, which was fabricated in a TSMC 0.25 /spl mu/m 1P5M standard CMOS technology through the National Chip Implementation Center (CIC), Taiwan.
Design of Tunable Ultrasonic Receivers for Efficient Powering of Implantable Medical Devices With Reconfigurable Power Loads

Miniaturized ultrasonic receivers are designed for efficient powering of implantable medical devices with reconfigurable power loads. Design parameters that affect the efficiency of these receivers under highly variable load conditions, including piezoelectric material, geometry, and operation frequency, are investigated. Measurements were performed to characterize electrical impedance and acoustic-to-electrical efficiency of ultrasonic receivers for off-resonance operation. Finally, we propose, analyze, and demonstrate adaptive matching and frequency tuning techniques using two different reconfigurable matching networks for typical implant loads from 10 μW to 1 mW. Both simulations and measurements show a significant increase in total implant efficiency (up to 50 percentage points) over this load power range when operating off-resonance with the proposed matching networks.
The Ecology and Genetics of a Host Shift: Microbotryum as a Model System

The need to prevent and cure emerging diseases often precludes their continuing study in situ. We present studies on the process of disease emergence by host shifts using the model system of anther‐smut disease (Microbotryum violaceum) on the plant genus Silene (Caryophyllaceae). This system has little direct social impact, and it is readily amenable to experimental manipulation. Our microevolutionary studies have focused on the host shift of Microbotryum from Silene alba (=latifolia; white campion) onto Silene vulgaris (bladder campion) in a population in Virginia. Karyotypic variation shows that the host shift is recent and originates from the disease on sympatric S. alba. Analysis of the spatial pattern of disease shows that the host shift has been contingent on the co‐occurrence of the two species at a local scale. Cross‐inoculation studies show that families of the new host differ greatly in their susceptibility to the pathogen, indicating the potential for rapid evolution of resistance. Disease expression on the new host is frequently abnormal, suggesting that the pathogen is imperfectly adapted to its new host. In experimental populations, disease transmission within populations of the old host is greater than within populations of the new host. However, there is also a high transmission rate of the disease from the new host back to the old host, suggesting a feedback effect that increases disease prevalence in the community as a whole. Continuing studies of these populations are designed to determine whether this new host‐pathogen system is likely to be self‐sustaining and to quantify evolutionary changes in both the host and the pathogen.
Deciphering a Complex Genetic Regulatory Network: The Bacillus Subtilis σW Protein and Intrinsic Resistance to Antimicrobial Compounds

Bacillus subtilis, a spore-forming soil bacterium, is the preeminent model system for the analysis of gene regulation in Gram-positive bacteria. Early genetic analyses established that this organism uses alternative sigma (σ) subunits to reprogram RNA polymerase to activate genes required for growth phase transitions, motility, general stress response, and sporulation. Unexpectedly, the genome sequence predicts the presence of an additional seven a subunits: all members of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) a subfamily of regulators that typically respond to cell envelope stresses. Here, we review our current understanding of one of these a factors, a with an emphasis on experimental strategies and approaches. Exposure to cell envelope active antibiotics and toxic peptides triggers a signaling cascade that releases σW from its cognate anti-σ thereby allowing transcription of ∼60 σW-dependent genes. These genes encode proteins that inactivate, sequester, or eliminate toxic compounds from the cell.