Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unified constant on/off-time hybrid compensation for fast recovery in digitally current-mode controlled point-of-load converters

Constant on-time control offers fast recovery during a step-down transient; however, the step-up recovery gets penalized, which often requires extra arrangements for real-time on-time adaptation. On the other hand, constant off-time control can achieve fast step-up (transient) recovery; however, the step-down recovery is generally degraded. This paper proposes a unified constant on/off-time hybrid compensation technique in a digitally current-mode controlled (CMC) synchronous buck converter with the inductor current in the analog domain. This utilizes a single mono-shot timer and a single digital voltage controller Gc, which can be configured to either constant on-time or off-time control with a simple modification. Thus, improved step-up/down transient performance is achieved through a real-time configuration with an anti-windup controller transition because of sharing of a common voltage controller. An asynchronous error voltage sampling can achieve unconditional current-loop stability along with robust voltage-loop stability. The mono-shot counter can be updated in real-time using a time-to-digital converter for fixed-frequency operation, without the need for input voltage sensing. A buck converter prototype is made, and the proposed control is implemented using an FPGA device.
BvgA functions as both an activator and a repressor to control Bvgi phase expression of bipA in Bordetella pertussis

The Bordetella bipA gene is expressed maximally when the BvgAS phosphorelay is semi‐active, i.e. in the Bvg‐intermediate (Bvgi) phase. We used a BvgA‐FeBABE cleavage approach together with site‐directed mutagenesis and bipA–lacZ fusion analyses to determine precisely where BvgA‐phosphate (BvgA∼P) binds at the bipA promoter and how that binding contributes to the complex transcription pattern displayed by bipA. BvgA∼P bound with high affinity and cooperatively with RNAP to sequences at the bipA promoter immediately 5′ to and overlapping those bound by RNAP to activate transcription under Bvgi phase conditions. bipA therefore, like fhaB, appears to be similar to classical class‐II promoters with regard to the mechanism by which its transcription is activated. BvgA∼P bound with relatively low affinity to sequences immediately 3′ of those bound by RNAP at the bipA promoter and this binding mediated repression of bipA transcription under Bvg+ phase conditions. BvgA∼P binding to these sequences occurred simultaneously, if not cooperatively, with RNAP, indicating that BvgA∼P represses bipA expression by inhibiting transcription initiation and/or elongation, rather than by competing with RNAP for binding. As bipA is the first Bvgi phase gene to be characterized, and the first gene shown to be repressed by BvgA∼P directly, our results will provide a basis for comparison as additional Bvg‐regulated genes are identified and characterized.
Soluble Repulsive Guidance Molecule c/Hemojuvelin Is a Broad Spectrum Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Antagonist and Inhibits both BMP2- and BMP6-mediated Signaling and Gene Expression*

Inactivating mutations in hemojuvelin/repulsive guidance molecule c (HJV/RGMc) cause juvenile hemochromatosis (JH), a rapidly progressive iron overload disorder in which expression of hepcidin, a key liver-derived iron-regulatory hormone, is severely diminished. Several growth factors in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, including BMP2 and BMP6, can stimulate production of hepcidin, a biological effect that may be modified by RGMc. Here we demonstrate that soluble RGMc proteins are potent BMP inhibitors. We find that 50- and 40-kDa RGMc isoforms, when added to cells as highly purified IgG Fc fusion proteins, are able to block the acute effects of both BMP2 and BMP6 at the levels of Smad induction and gene activation, and thus represent a potentially unique class of broad-spectrum BMP antagonists. Whole transcript microarray analysis revealed that BMP2 and BMP6 each stimulated expression of a nearly identical cohort of ∼40 mRNAs in Hep3B cells and demonstrated that 40-kDa RGMc was an effective inhibitor of both growth factors, although its potency was less than that of the known BMP2-selective antagonist, Noggin. We additionally show that JH-linked RGMc mutant proteins that retain the ability to bind BMPs are also able to function as BMP inhibitors, and like the wild type soluble RGMc species, can block BMP-activated hepcidin gene expression. The latter results raise the question of whether disease severity in JH will vary depending on the ability of a given mutant RGMc protein to interact with BMPs.
Domain Analysis of a Groundnut Calcium-dependent Protein Kinase

The signature of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a C-terminal calmodulin-like domain (CaMLD) with four consensus calcium-binding sites. A junction domain (JD) joins the kinase with CaMLD and interacts with them through its autoinhibitory and CaMLD binding subdomains, respectively. We noted several CDPKs additionally have a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence as a subdomain in their JD, and this feature is obligatorily coupled with the absence of consensus calcium-binding sites in their respective CaMLDs. These predicted features are substantiated by undertaking investigations on a CDPK (gi:67479988) isolated from cultured groundnut (Arachis hypogea) cells. This kinase can bind 3.1 mol of Ca2+ under saturating conditions with a considerably high Kd of 392 μm as compared with its canonical counterparts. CD spectroscopic analysis, however, indicates the intramolecular structural changes accompanied with calcium binding to be similar to canonical CDPKs. Attesting to the presence of NLS in the JD, the endogenous kinase is localized in the nucleus of osmotically stressed Arachis cells, and in vitro binding assays indicate the NLS in the JD to interact with nuclear transport factors of the importin family. Homology modeling also indicates the feasibility of interaction of importins with the NLS present in the JD of such CDPKs in their activated form. The possible significance of obligatory coupling between the presence of NLS in the junction domain and atypical calcium binding properties of these CDPKs is discussed in the light of the known mechanisms of activation of these kinases.
Height, weight, body mass index and pubertal development references for children of Moroccan origin in The Netherlands

Aim: To provide growth and sexual maturation reference data for Moroccan children living in The Netherlands and to compare them with the reference data of children of Dutch origin. Methods: Cross‐sectional growth and demographic data were collected from 2880 children of Moroccan origin and 14 500 children of Dutch origin living in The Netherlands in the age range 0–20 y. Growth references for length, height, weight, weight‐for‐height, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference were constructed with the LMS method. Predictive variables for height and BMI were assessed by regression analyses. Reference curves for sexual maturation were estimated by a generalized additive model. Results: Moroccan young adults were on average 9 cm shorter than their Dutch contemporaries. Mean final height was 174.7 cm for males and 161.3 cm for females. Height differences in comparison with Dutch children increase from 2 y onwards. Height SDS was predominantly associated with target height. Compared to Dutch children, maturation started 0.2 and 0.9 y later for girls and boys, respectively. Median age at menarche was 12.9 y, 3.6 mo earlier than in Dutch girls (p= 0.001). BMI of Moroccan children was above that of Dutch children, especially for girls. BMI SDS was associated with birthweight in the age group 0–±5 y.
Impact of school sports injury

Background: Most injuries in school occur during sport. Objectives: To explore the impact of sports injury in supervised school sport. Method: A prospective study of sports injury in children of secondary school age presenting to the accident and emergency department. Each patient was identified on registration, matched with medical records after discharge, and contacted later by telephone to complete a structured interview. Patients were only included if their injury was sustained during supervised school sport. Results: During the study period, 194 patients aged 11–18 attended the accident and emergency department with an injury, 51% of which occurred during school sport. Injuries occurred most commonly in rugby (43%), followed by physical education and games together (17.5%). Most injuries were x rayed (72%). Just over 12% of pupils lost no time from sport, most (71%) were back to sport within three weeks, and 2.7% were injured for more than eight weeks. Almost a third of parents needed to take time off from work to deal with the injured child. Conclusion: School sports injuries are important. They account for just over half of all injuries in secondary school children. They cause significant disruption to school and sport and have important implications for the wider family.
Effects of Morphological Complexity on Phonological Output Deficits in Fluent and Nonfluent Aphasia

This study examined the effects of morphological complexity on aphasic speakers with lexical-phonological output deficits. Subjects were two fluent and two nonfluent aphasic speakers who repeated morphologically simple words at the same level of accuracy and whose errors were virtually all phonological in nature. They were asked to repeat a variety of morphologically complex (i.e., affixed) words. Results were interpreted within our two-stage model of lexical-phonological production (Kohn & Smith, 1994, 1995), which we expand to include a distinction between derivational and inflectional morphology. When comparing overall performance levels between morphologically simple and complex words, only three subjects exhibited more difficulty repeating the morphologically complex targets. Nevertheless, when comparing repetition accuracy between different types of morphologically complex words (e.g., derived vs. inflected), all four subjects displayed similar patterns. These findings suggested that while morphological complexity has different effects on the two stages within the lexical-phonological output system, the relative effects of different morphological structures are constant. At the level of error analysis, patterns of affix errors distinguished the nonfluent from the fluent subjects in ways that are reminiscent of the affix errors associated with agrammatic and paragrammatic speech. This finding raised questions concerning the relationship between morphosyntactic and morphophonological deficits.
Survival by radiation therapy oncology group recursive partitioning analysis class and treatment modality in patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma

In a population of patients with brain metastases from melanoma, the authors sought to determine whether various therapies provided any benefit at all, whether local therapy was better than whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), and whether combined local therapy and WBRT provided any advantage over local therapy alone. They also analyzed survival according to a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) to determine how well the RTOG RPA classes predicted survival in this patient population and whether treatments varied in effectiveness from category to category.
Selective labeling of sensory hair cells and neurons in auditory, vestibular, and lateral line systems by a monoclonal antibody

This study reports that zn‐1, a monoclonal antibody, labels hair cells but not supporting cells in the inner ear and the lateral line of the axolotl salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum. Zn‐1 immunocytochemically labels the cytoplasm and stereocilia of mature hair cells in the sacculus, in the utriculus, and in the mechanoreceptive neuromast organs of the lateral line. Lower levels of labeling mark newly formed hair cells in the periphery of the sacculus and in regenerating neuromasts. Zn‐1 also selectively labels neuronal processes and perikarya in the lateral line nerves and ganglia and the VIIIth cranial nerve and ganglion. Processes and perikarya are labeled by zn‐1 in the dorsolateral medulla oblongata, at sites of termination of the afferent octaval and lateral line neurons. Western blot analysis revealed that zn‐1 labels one or more proteins with molecular weights of 80 and 160 kDa. The identity of these protein bands remains to be determined. The presence of a specific epitope expressed in both hair cells and neurons, but not in supporting cells, in the vestibular and auditory epithelia of the ear and in the mechanoreceptive neuromasts of the lateral line suggests shared cytogenetic heritages. These findings are consistent with a close evolutionary relationship between otic and lateral line senses, such as that inherent to the theoretical evolutionary scheme outlined in van Bergeijk's “acousticolateralis hypothesis. ” The protein recognized by zn‐1 is as yet unidentified, but its conservative evolution suggests that it may serve an important function in the statoacoustic and lateral line systems.
A microsporidian isolated from an AIDS patient corresponds to Encephalitozoon cuniculi III, originally isolated from domestic dogs

The ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of a recently cultured human Encephalitozoon cuniculi isolate was analyzed by gene amplification and DNA sequencing. Restriction endonuclease digestion (FokI) and double-stranded DNA heteroduplex mobility shift analysis were performed to determine their utility for strain differentiation. The human E. cuniculi isolate was identical to E. cuniculi III, which had been isolated only from domestic dogs until now. The patient providing the isolate owned a pet dog, but no microsporidia were detected in the pet's urine.
The Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist ORG 34116 Decreases Immobility Time in the Forced Swim Test and Affects cAMP-Responsive Element-Binding Protein Phosphorylation in Rat Brain

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists can block the retention of the immobility response in the forced swimming test. Recently, we showed that forced swimming evokes a distinct spatiotemporal pattern of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus (DG) and neocortex. In the present study, we found that chronic treatment of rats with the selective GR antagonist ORG 34116 decreased the immobility time in the forced swim test, increased baseline levels of phosphorylated CREB (P-CREB) in the DG and neocortex and affected the forced swimming-induced changes in P-CREB levels in a time- and site-specific manner. Overall, we observed that, in control rats, forced swimming evoked increases in P-CREB levels in the DG and neocortex, whereas in ORG 34116-treated animals a major dephosphorylation of P-CREB was observed. These observations underscore an important role of GRs in the control of the phosphorylation state of CREB which seems to be of significance for the immobility response in the forced swim test and extend the molecular mechanism of action of GRs in the brain.
Hepatic transcription factor activation and proinflammatory mediator production is attenuated by hypertonic saline and pentoxifylline resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND Fluid resuscitation can contribute to postshock inflammation and the development of end organ injury. We have previously observed an attenuation in pulmonary and ileal inflammation when hypertonic saline and pentoxifylline (HSPTX) were concomitantly administered after hemorrhage. We hypothesized that the attenuation in hepatic injury observed with HSPTX is associated with the reduction of transcription factor activation and proinflammatory mediator production when compared with Ringer's lactate (RL). METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were resuscitated with racemic RL (32 mL/kg) or HSPTX (4 mL/kg 7.5% NaCl + PTX 25 mg/kg) and killed at 4 hours and 24 hours after resuscitation. Liver injury was determined by histology and serum aminotransferases. Nitrite, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High mobility group box 1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB phosphorylation, and signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 phosphorylation were determined by Western blot. Transcription factor activation was verified with Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay. RESULTS RL resuscitation led to significant increases all measured parameters when compared with control. In contrast, HSPTX did not induce elevations in histologic liver injury or alanine aminotransferase levels. HSPTX attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase by 23% (p < 0.01), nitrite by 25% (p < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor-alpha by 25% (p < 0.05), IL-1 by 63% (p < 0.01), IL-6 by 35% (p < 0.05), and high mobility group box 1 by 39% (p < 0.05) when compared with RL. HSPTX reduced IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation by 34% (p < 0.05), NF-kappaB p65 phosphorylation by 75% (p < 0.01), and signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 phosphorylation by 52% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The reduction in liver injury observed with HSPTX resuscitation after hemorrhage is associated with attenuation transcription factor activation and proinflammatory mediators. HSPTX has the potential to be a superior resuscitation fluid with significant immunomodulatory properties.
Frequent cytoplasmic exchanges between oak species that are not closely related: Quercus suber and Q. ilex in Morocco

Chloroplast (cp) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA variation were studied in 97 populations of cork oak (Quercus suber) in Morocco; in 31 of these populations, holm oak (Quercus ilex), a clearly distinct species, also occurred and was compared with Q. suber. Three cpDNA and one mtDNA primer pairs were used in the survey, each in combination with one restriction enzyme. Six haplotypes belonging to two very divergent lineages were detected; one lineage predominates in each species, and is probably ancestral, as inferred from comparisons with other oak species. In the mixed‐species populations, cytoplasmic genomes were frequently shared across species, as indicated by an introgression ratio of 0.63. This index is a new measure of the propensity of species to share locally genetic markers, varying from zero (complete differentiation) to one (no differentiation). By contrast, more closely related deciduous oak species (Q. robur, Q. petraea and Q. pubescens) have introgression ratios varying from 0.82 to 0.97. The introgression events appear to have been more frequent in the direction Q. ilex (female) × Q. suber (male), a finding which seems attributable to the flowering phenology of these two species. This asymmetry may have favoured immigration of Q. suber beyond its main range, in regions already colonized by Q. ilex. There, rare hybridization and further introgression through long distance pollen flow have established populations that are morphologically indistinguishable from Q. suber but that have cytoplasmic genomes originating from the local Q. ilex populations.
Comparative Genomic Analysis Revealed a Gene for Monoglucosyldiacylglycerol Synthase, an Enzyme for Photosynthetic Membrane Lipid Synthesis in Cyanobacteria1

Cyanobacteria have a thylakoid lipid composition very similar to that of plant chloroplasts, yet cyanobacteria are proposed to synthesize monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), a major membrane polar lipid in photosynthetic membranes, by a different pathway. In addition, plant MGDG synthase has been cloned, but no ortholog has been reported in cyanobacterial genomes. We report here identification of the gene for monoglucosyldiacylglycerol (MGlcDG) synthase, which catalyzes the first step of galactolipid synthesis in cyanobacteria. Using comparative genomic analysis, candidates for the gene were selected based on the criteria that the enzyme activity is conserved between two species of cyanobacteria (unicellular [Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803] and filamentous [Anabaena sp. PCC 7120]), and we assumed three characteristics of the enzyme; namely, it harbors a glycosyltransferase motif, falls into a category of genes with unknown function, and shares significant similarity in amino acid sequence between these two cyanobacteria. By a motif search of all genes of Synechocystis, BLAST searches, and similarity searches between these two cyanobacteria, we identified four candidates for the enzyme that have all the characteristics we predicted. When expressed in Escherichia coli, one of the Synechocystis candidate proteins showed MGlcDG synthase activity in a UDP-glucose-dependent manner. The ortholog in Anabaena also showed the same activity. The enzyme was predicted to require a divalent cation for its activity, and this was confirmed by biochemical analysis. The MGlcDG synthase and the plant MGDG synthase shared low similarity, supporting the presumption that cyanobacteria and plants utilize different pathways to synthesize MGDG.
Bank Security Dye Packs: Synthesis, Isolation, and Characterization of Chlorinated Products of Bleached 1‐(methylamino)anthraquinone

ABSTRACT: Banknote evidence is often submitted after a suspect has attempted to disguise or remove red dye stain that has been released because of an anti‐theft device that activates after banknotes have been unlawfully removed from bank premises. Three chlorinated compounds have been synthesized as forensic chemical standards to indicate bank security dye bleaching as a suspect's intentional method for masking a robbery involving dye pack release on banknotes. A novel, facile synthetic method to provide three chlorinated derivatives of 1‐(methylamino)anthraquinone (MAAQ) is presented. The synthetic route involved Ultra Clorox™ bleach as the chlorine source, iron chloride as the catalyst, and MAAQ as the starting material and resulted in a three‐component product mixture. Two mono‐chlorinated isomers (2‐chloro‐1‐(methylamino)anthraquinone and 4‐chloro‐1‐(methylamino)anthraquinone) and one di‐chlorinated compound (2,4‐dichloro‐1‐(methylamino)anthraquinone) of the MAAQ parent molecule were detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and subsequently isolated by liquid chromatography (LC) with postcolumn fraction collection. Although GC‐MS is sensitive enough to detect all of the chlorinated products, it is not definitive enough to identify the structural isomers. Liquid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was utilized to elucidate structurally the ortho‐ and para‐mono‐chlorinated isomers once enough material was properly isolated. A reaction mechanism involving iron is proposed to explain the presence of chlorinated MAAQ species on stolen banknotes after attempted bleaching.
Theory of Mind and the Self

Abstract: This paper will discuss one aspect of the self, the ability to reflect on one's own inner states, in relation to recent work on the cognitive and neural basis of “theory of mind. ” Are the same representational resources required for “reading” one's own and other minds? Relevant literature from the study of normal development of theory of mind will be reviewed, along with research on a developmental disorder characterized by an apparent inability to think about thoughts: autism. Functional neuroimaging studies of theory of mind will be discussed as will studies that may tap the neural basis of self‐reflection. From these different strands of evidence the speculative suggestion will be made that reflecting on one's own thoughts is not a privileged process, but rather relies on—and may have evolved from—the same cognitive and neural functions used for attributing thoughts to others.