Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An L, S and S2 bands, compliant LC-based DCO for amateur Nano-satellite applications

This paper presents a LC-based digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) with an enhanced frequency resolution and an extended linear frequency tuning range. It generates frequencies between 1.22 and 3.52 GHz that covers three main bands defined for amateur Nano-satellite applications (L, S and S2). The DCO exploits a new tunable active inductor (TAI) that achieves a high Q-factor with a maximum value of 98 over a frequency range of 1770 MHz. It tunes from 3.55 nH to 15.2 nH. Furthermore, a tuning circuitry based on a capacitive degeneration network formed by a capacitance with an additional resistance, is employed to achieve a low frequency resolution without any dithering. The achieved frequency resolution is approximately between 3 and 16 kHz. The DCO exhibits a phase noise of −105.8 dBc/Hz at 1MHz frequency offset and an FoM of −175 dBc/Hz. Finally, the circuit consumes 5.2 mA current when is designed in a 90-nm nine-metal CMOS technology with an operating supply voltage of 1.0 V.
Mucociliary differentiation of serially passaged normal human tracheobronchial epithelial cells.

The goal of our studies was to establish procedures for subculturing normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells without compromising their ability to differentiate into mucous and ciliated cells (i.e., differentiation competence) and to study the regulation of airway secretions by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and retinoic acid (RA). Primary NHTBE cells were obtained from a commercial source and subcultured repeatedly in serum-free medium on plastic tissue culture dishes. The subcultured cells were tested after every passage for differentiation competence in air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures. The apical secretions of cultured NHTBE cells were characterized by immunoblotting, Western blotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a variety of antibodies. They contained mucin-like materials as well as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI). We found that an EGF concentration of 25 ng/ml, which is commonly used in airway cell cultures, adversely affected growth, mucin production, and morphology of ALI cultures and that RA was essential for mucociliary differentiation. Without RA, the epithelium became squamous and mucin secretions decreased 300- to 900-fold. In contrast, secretion of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and SLPI was significantly increased in RA-depleted cultures. Cells of passage 2 (P-2) through P-4 remained competent to differentiate into mucous and ciliated cells when grown in ALI cultures. However, mucin secretion and ciliagenesis decreased in P-3 and P-4 cell cultures and P-3 but not P-4 cell cultures exhibited bioelectric properties characteristic of airway epithelium. We concluded that P-2 and P-3 NHTBE cell cultures retain many important features of normal airway epithelium. This enables one to conduct many studies of airway cell biology with a greatly expanded (6,000-fold) cell pool.
Drug hypersensitivity reactions: response patterns, drug involved, and temporal variations in a large series of patients.

BACKGROUND Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are among the most frequent reasons for consultation in allergy departments, and are becoming more common due to increasing prevalence and case complexity. OBJECTIVE To study the clinical characteristics, drugs involved, diagnostic methods, and temporal variation of DHRs in a large series of patients over a 6-year period. METHODS We included all patients attending our department between 2005 and 2010. The diagnosis was performed by in vivo and/or in vitro tests (basophil activation test and specific immunoglobulin [Ig] E in serum and drug provocation testing [DPT]) when indicated. RESULTS We evaluated 4460 patients who reported 4994 episodes (mean [SD] of 1.13 [0.36] [range, 1-3] episodes per patient). Based on clinical history, 37% of the episodes were attributed to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 29.4% to beta-lactam antibiotics (BLs), 15% to non-BLs, and 18.4% to other drugs.Analysis of the 1683 patients (37.45%) finally confirmed as allergic showed the most frequent diagnosis to be hypersensitivity to multiple NSAIDs (47.29%), followed by immediate reactions to BLs (18.12%). There was an increase in reactions to non-BLs (from 21.2% to 31.9%; P < .03) over the study period, mainly due to an increase in allergy to quinolones (from 0.5% to 6.8%; P < .02); 44% of patients were diagnosed by clinical history, 14.6% by skin tests, 10.4% by in vitro tests, and 30.8% by DPT. CONCLUSIONS NSAIDs were the drugs most frequently involved in DHRs and the most common diagnosis was urticaria/angioedema with cross intolerance. Reactions to emerging drugs such as quinolone derivatives and radiocontrast media are becoming more common.
L'information sur la qualité de l'eau distribuée : Relations entre les services de distribution d'eau et leurs clients

Au cours des dernieres annees, differentes reglementations nationales et communautaires ont renforce le dispositif d'information de la population sur la qualite de l'eau distribuee, que ce soit en situation normale ou lors du constat d'une difficulte particuliere. Des reflexions sont en cours pour preciser la nature de cette information pour ses aspects sanitaires. Plutot que de parler de taux de conformite, il est envisage de caracteriser le niveau d'exposition de la population en faisant appel eventuellement a des descriptions litteraires.
Plastic letters: Alphabet mixing and ideologies of print in Ukrainian shop signs

This article examines the complex intersection of language ideologies shaping alphabetic choices in Ukrainian outdoor advertising and shop signs, focusing on alphabet mixing through the insertion of Latin letters into Cyrillic texts and the juxtaposition of parallel or alternating texts using both of these writing systems. Drawing upon ethnographic data from work with graphic designers and consumers as well as analysis of language use in signs, I argue that while alphabet mixing is often characterized as “faddish” or “youth-oriented” these practices also reflect Soviet-era ideological stances towards both Latin typefaces, seen as “plastic” letters associated with Western capitalism, and Cyrillic typefaces, seen as “rigid” forms subject to strong central control by the Soviet state. The increasing availability of personal computers with word-processing and graphic design software in Ukraine has both increased access by individuals to print technology, and promoted a new typographic aesthetic through the dissemination of Cyrillic fonts based on Latin, not Soviet or pre-Soviet Cyrillic, models.
Antibody‐dependent red cell removal during P. falciparum malaria: the clearance of red cells sensitized with an IgG anti‐D

The clearance of autologous red cells sensitized with an IgG anti‐D has been studied in patients during and after an attack of P. falciparum malaria, and in 11 uninfected control subjects. In most patients with P. falciparum malaria there was evidence of increased clearance of sensitized red cells, compared to controls.
A novel circuit model for multiple Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) in 3D IC

Electrical modeling of Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) is very important for three dimensional (3D) system design and analysis. It has attracted much research attention in recent years. Most of the previous research focuses on fitting circuit parameters to the frequency response obtained from measurements or full-wave discretization based electromagnetic simulations. The extension of these methods to multiple TSVs can be challenging because of the significant increase in computational cost. In this paper, we proposed a novel circuit model for multiple TSVs. Since frequent switching of high speed signals can dynamically bias TSV metal insulator semiconductor (MIS) interface and allocate TSV MIS into accumulation or depletion regions, the TSV capacitance is nonlinear and dependent on the biasing of the TSVs. An analytical expression for capacitance is introduced and a new circuit model is proposed accordingly. The circuit model accurately captures all the parasitic elements of various TSVs arrangements and accounts for wide frequency range, high frequency skin effect, eddy currents in substrate, and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) effect.
Essays on food consumption, income inequality, and health-related issues in China

This cumulative dissertation presents five contributions that attempt to shed light on the issues regarding food consumption, income inequality and health in China. Empirical results in chapter 2 indicate that there exist substantial differences in food consumption across various income classes, meanwhile, the projected food consumption under different income distribution patterns shows that changes in income distribution have significant influences on food consumption. Chapter 3 reveals that there exists significant income inequality to the disadvantage of ethnic minorities for the full, female, and urban samples, and depending on the instrument also for the rural sample. Nevertheless, our results for these samples show specific returns to education for ethnic minorities, which implies that a portion of the income gap can be overcome with additional education. In chapter 4, employing a structural equation model for alcohol and cigarettes consumption, the empirical results indicate that alcohol and cigarettes are complementary goods for men in China; when the demand for alcohol (cigarettes) increases, the demand for cigarettes (alcohol) will also increase, ceteris paribus. In chapter 5, accounting for the endogeneity of education in unhealthy consumption equations, we find that education exerts a negative impact on unhealthy consumption like smoking and binge drinking, and an additional year of education can counteract intergenerational persistence of smoking and binge drinking from the father, but that it has no significant impact on intergenerational persistence from the mother. The results in chapter 6 suggest that body weight and the probability of overweight initiation increase with income but at a decreasing rate; while the probability of overweight cessation decreases with income but at an increasing rate. Our findings conclude that in contrast to developed countries, low-income individuals are less likely to be overweight in a transition country like China.
Prolonged QTc intervals in medicated patients with schizophrenia

Psychotropic drugs have been associated with sudden deaths and the lengthening of corrected‐QT interval (QTc) on the electrocardiogram which may be a precursor of life‐threatening arrhythmias as reported with some of these drugs. The objectives of this study were to measure the frequency of QTc lengthening in patients with schizophrenia receiving psychotropic drugs, and to assess whether QTc lengthening was associated with certain psychotropic drugs and other risk factors. One hundred and sixty three patients with schizophrenia (104 males and 59 females) were included in the study. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the case records. One hundred healthy volunteers were recruited to establish values for upper limits of normal for measurement of QTc interval and dispersion. Eleven (6.7%) of the patients had a prolonged QTc interval. The significant predictors obtained from a logistic regression modelling were chlorpromazine, flupenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate. Caution should be exercised and monitoring with ECG should be considered in patients prescribed chlorpromazine and depot antipsychotic medications even at recommended doses. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis-Inducing Effect of Caspase-3 Over-Expressed on Gastric Cancer Cell Line SGC7901

To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of Caspases-3 expressed by constructed eukaryotic vector on gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.PCR was employed to amplify the sequences of both small and large subunits of Caspases-3. Its products were separately cloned into the Sma I site of pBluescript KS+ to generate both plasmids pBS/SS and pBS/LS. The small subunit fragment was excised from plasmid pBS/SS with BamH I and then inserted into the BamH I site of plasmid pBS/LS preceding that of the large subunit to yield plasmid pBS/Rev-Caspase-3. Rev-Caspase-3 cDNA was excised with Kpn I+Xba I and then subcloned into plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+) to construct Rev-Caspase-3 eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA/Rev-Caspase-3, which was used to transiently transfect SGC7901 cell line. Cell count, MTT assay and electron microscopy were used to confirm the antiproliferation and apoptosis-inducing effect of Rev-Caspase-3 expression on gastric cancer cells.Plasmid pBS/Rev-Caspase-3 and eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA/Rev-Caspase-3 were successfully constructed. SGC7901 cells were transiently transfected by either pcDNA/Rev-Caspase-3 or pcDNA3.1 (+) for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h respectively. Cell growth was measured by cell count and MTT assay. In cell count assay, the cell numbers were 1.8times106, 1.55times106, 2.0times106, and 3.1times106 in the experimental group and 2.5times106, 3.1times106, 4.0times106, and 5.7times106 in the control group at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h respectively. The growth of SGC7901 cells was suppressed by Rev-Caspase-3 in a time-dependent manner (P<0.05). The results of MTT assay were similar to that of cell count (P<0.05). The characteristics of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation, crescent formation and margination were seen and more obvious with time in the given-experimental period in the experimental group, but not easily observed in the control group.The expression of Rev-Caspase-3 by the apoptosis of gastric cancer cell line SGC7901, which may exhibit a potential way in gastric cancer gene therapy.
Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality rates associated with the development of a DFU are estimated to be 5% in the first 12 months, and 5‐year morality rates have been estimated at 42%. The standard practices in DFU management include surgical debridement, dressings to facilitate a moist wound environment and exudate control, wound off‐loading, vascular assessment, and infection and glycemic control. These practices are best coordinated by a multidisciplinary diabetic foot wound clinic. Even with this comprehensive approach, there is still room for improvement in DFU outcomes. Several adjuvant therapies have been studied to reduce DFU healing times and amputation rates. We reviewed the rationale and guidelines for current standard of care practices and reviewed the evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant agents. The adjuvant therapies reviewed include the following categories: nonsurgical debridement agents, dressings and topical agents, oxygen therapies, negative pressure wound therapy, acellular bioproducts, human growth factors, energy‐based therapies, and systemic therapies. Many of these agents have been found to be beneficial in improving wound healing rates, although a large proportion of the data are small, randomized controlled trials with high risks of bias.
Common principles of motor control in vertebrates and invertebrates.

Comparative neurobiology has proven to be a powerful discipline for elucidating the principles that describe the evolution, development, and functioning of the nervous system (Arb as et a11991; Cohen & Strumwasser 1985; Heiligenberg 1991). Studies on invertebrates have contributed sub­ stantially to establishing many of these principles. Some noteworthy ex­ amples are the mechanisms that establish the diversity of potassium chan­ nels (Jan & Jan 1990; MacKinnon 1991), the ionic mechanisms that generate action potentials (Hodgkin & Huxley 1952), and the cellular and molecular events that underlie learning and memory (Carew & Sahley 1986; Hawkins & Kandel 1990). The analysis of more complex integrative processes has also benefited from studies of invertebrate nervous systems. One example is the influence that the finding of lateral inhibition in the eye of Limulus (Hartline et al 1956) had on our understanding of sensory processing in more complex systems. Another is the profound effect that the analysis of rhythmic motor systems in invertebrates has had on inves­ tigations on rhythmic pattern generating networks in vertebrates (Getting 1988; Grillner 1981; Grillner & Wallen 1985). More recently, the utility of analyzing the action of neuromodulator� on the functioning of neuronal
Attention orienting by another's gaze direction in children with autism.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate attention orienting triggered by another's gaze direction in autism. METHOD Twelve high-functioning children with autism and gender- and age-matched normal control children were studied using two tasks. In the first task, children were asked to detect laterally presented target stimuli preceded by centrally presented facial cue stimuli in which gaze was either straight ahead or averted. The direction of the cue was either congruent, neutral, or incongruent with respect to the laterality of the target stimulus. In the second task, children were asked to discriminate the direction of eye gaze. RESULTS The results showed that another person's static gaze direction triggered an automatic shift of visual attention, both in children with autism and in normally developing children. The children in both groups were also able to overtly discriminate the direction of the gaze. CONCLUSION These results seem to suggest that, in children with autism, the visual system processes information about another person's gaze direction and sends this information to those areas that subserve reflexive attention orienting. However, future studies are needed to investigate whether the processing of eyes and gaze direction relies on similar neural mechanisms in children with autism and in normally developing children.
The adeno-associated virus type 2 p40 promoter requires a proximal Sp1 interaction and a p19 CArG-like element to facilitate Rep transactivation

We have identified the sequence elements that are required for adeno-associated virus type 2 p40 promoter activity. Mutation of specific promoter elements showed that two Sp1 sites at approximately -50 (Sp1-50) and -70 (GGT-70) bp upstream of the start of the p40 messages were necessary for maximal promoter activity. As expected, the TATA site at -30 was also essential. In vitro DNA binding experiments confirmed that the Sp1-50 and GGT-70 sites were bound by Sp1 or Sp1-like proteins. Two other transcription elements, the ATF-80 and AP1-40 sites, may play a role in p40 activity. Mutation of these elements resulted in a modest decrease in p40 transcription, but DNA binding experiments did not clearly demonstrate binding of transcription factors to these sites. In contrast, a major late transcription factor site at -110 was shown to bind the transcription factor, but mutation of this site had no effect on p40 activity. In a previous report, we have shown that transactivation of the p40 promoter by the viral Rep proteins required an upstream Rep binding element (in the terminal repeat or the p5 promoter), an unidentified p19 promoter element, and a p40 promoter element (D. J. Pereira and N. Muzyczka, J. Virol. 71:1747-1756, 1997). Here we demonstrate that the CArG-140 element in the p19 promoter and the Sp1-50 element in the p40 promoter are the specific p19 and p40 elements required for Rep induction of p40. As in the case of the p19 promoter, Sp1 facilitates interaction of Rep with the p40 promoter by interaction of the two proteins. Furthermore, electron microscopy experiments demonstrated that when Rep is bound to an upstream Rep binding element, it can interact with a proximal Sp1 site by protein contacts and create a loop in the intervening DNA. This finding suggests a common mechanism whereby the Rep binding element in the TR or the p5 promoter induces p19 and p40 activity by interaction with their respective Sp1 sites.
α‐Latrotoxin is a Potent Inducer of Neurotransmitter Release in Torpedo Electric Organ—Functional and Morphological Characterization

In this report we show that α‐latrotoxin from black widow spider venom is a potent activator of neurotransmitter release in synaptosomes from the Torpedo electric organ. Binding of the purified toxin (5 nM) to the synaptosomal fraction occurs already at 4°C and is dependent on the presence of divalent ions. However, neurotransmitter release commences only after temperature elevation (22°C) and is completed within 2 min. The effect of α‐latrotoxin on release is achieved at 1 nM and is already saturated at 5 nM. The release is stimulated by the presence of Ca2+ ions. Activation of release by α‐latrotoxin is accompanied by morphological changes in electric organ synaptosomes. The synaptosomes swell, resulting in a 55% increase in section area. Moreover, the number of synaptic vesicles per unit area decreases about three‐fold, and rows of docked synaptic vesicles are rarely detected as opposed to control synaptosomes. These morphological changes indicate that the massive release is mainly due to synaptic vesicle fusion. α‐Latrotoxin binding sites are highly concentrated in the innervated face of the electrocytes. lmmunoelectron microscopy on electric organ sections reveals alatrotoxin binding sites over the entire plasma membrane at release sites and facing Schwann cells surrounding Torpedo nerve terminals. Surprisingly, a high concentration of binding sites is also found at structures surrounding branching unmyelinated axons. This staining is in close proximity to Schwann cell envelopes and to the basal lamina around axonal tips. The mode of action of α‐latrotoxin in view of the localization of its binding sites is discussed.
Changes in Dental Pulp Blood Flow of Different Maxillary Tooth Types After Le Fort I Osteotomy

Abstract This study examined the effects of Le Fort I (LF-I) osteotomy on pulpal blood flow (PBF) in maxillary teeth during a 12-month postsurgical period. A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure PBF in maxillary incisors, canines, and first premolars of 14 patients undergoing LF-I osteotomy (study group), 7 patients undergoing mandibular osteotomy (surgical control group), and 7 nonsurgical controls. The PBF was measured at baseline (preoperatively) and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and at similar intervals in nonsurgical control subjects. Data were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Mann-Whitney tests. Changes in PBF over time for each tooth type were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Study findings showed that baseline PBF values did not differ significantly between groups. Maxillary PBF in the control group did not vary over time; however, an initial decrease in PBF was observed in all tooth types immediately after surgery in the study group. A gradual increase to near-preoperative levels was then observed during a 12-month healing period. Although dramatic reductions in maxillary perfusion of the first premolar and canine pulps were observed at 1 week and 1 month after LF-I osteotomy when compared with baseline (P < 0.001), PBF significantly recovered over time. Moreover, hyperemia was observed in lateral incisors 3 months postoperatively, demonstrating a tooth type–specific effect of LF-I osteotomy on PBF.