Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy and benefits of environmental control systems for the severely disabled.

BACKGROUND People living with a severe disability suffer substantial personal and social consequences that reduce quality of life (QOL). One potential negative impact on the QOL of a disabled person is the loss of the ability to control devices in their immediate environment (such as the television, computer, telephones, lights, doors, etc.). Consequently, research and development has been conducted on technology designed to restore independence by providing some means of control over these devices. Technology that allows a severely disabled person to gain this type of control has been called an environmental control system (ECS). The aim of this review was to evaluate critically the status and efficacy of ECS technology for the severely disabled. MATERIALS/METHODS To achieve this, a comprehensive database search was conducted for relevant material on technical and clinical aspects of ECS control. RESULTS The review demonstrated that there is an abundance of work conducted on ECS technology, resulting in a number of creative control systems that are designed to be used by the severely disabled. These include switching systems that utilize voice, muscle, brain activity, head motion, eye blink, breath, chin, and so on. However, the review also established that rarely has the efficacy of these systems been scientifically established. CONCLUSIONS Severely disabled persons need access to ECS technology that has been shown to be efficacious. While the severely disabled gain benefits from using ECS technology, challenges still exist before ECS technology for the severely disabled can provide highly reliable and user-friendly device control.
Minimizing risk using prediction uncertainty in neural network estimation fusion and its application to papermaking

The paper presents Bayesian information fusion theory in the context of neural-network model combination. It shows how confidence measures can be combined with individual model estimates to minimize risk through the fusion process. The theory is illustrated through application to the real task of quality prediction in the papermaking industry. Prediction uncertainty estimates are calculated using approximate Bayesian learning. These are incorporated into model combination as confidence measures. Cost functions in the fusion center are used to control the influence of the confidence measures and improve the performance of the resultant committee.
Organizational Culture and its Influence on Organizational Change

It is not always necessary for an entire organization to be organic. Some units, such as research and development departments, may benefit from an organic structure because they face an unstable environment. Units that have a more stable environment, such as routine, administrative departments, may favor a mechanistic structure. Some units may borrow from both models. In this paper we have diagnosed a model that focus on both stable and flexible environment having key influence on change. Customer service departments, for example, can build flexibility into responding to exceptional circumstances while maintaining standardized protocols for more typical situations.
Observations on photodynamic inactivation of vaccinia virus and its effect on immunogenicity

Photoinactivation of vaccinia virus sensitized by methylene blue had parameters similar to those observed with other viruses. Thus inactivation proceeded exponentially to completion, was irreversible, independent of temperature and the intensity of illumination. Inactivation was dependent on the dose of illumination and the concentrations of both methylene blue and hydrogen ions. The effects of pH appeared to be primarily concerned with the tenacity of dye-virus binding. Inactivation was inhibited by small amounts of nucleic acid but not by their bases or pentoses. Inactivation was only affected by the presence of extraneous protein in relatively high concentration: it was not affected by the enzymes catalase or peroxidase. Attempts to obtain direct chemical evidence of the participation of viral nucleic acid in photoinactivation were unsuccessful. Recombination experiments strongly indicated the involvement of viral protein in photoinactivation. Immunogenicity was not impaired since good responses of neutralizing antibody were obtained in rabbits immunized with vaccines photoinactivated over a wide range of exposure times.
A Bacteriophage Specific for F—Salmonella Strains

A bacteriophage is described which grows on recipient (F-) and not on donor ( Hfr, F+, or F') salmonella. The reason for this differential is unknown, since the phage attaches to all mating types, but progeny ensue only from female bacteria. Purification of this phage has been accomplished. A procedure is described for quantitatively determining either the acquisition or loss of the F agent by bacteria.
Processing of tomato: impact on in vitro bioaccessibility of lycopene and textural properties.

BACKGROUND Human studies have demonstrated that processing of tomato can greatly increase lycopene bioavailability. However, the difference between processing methods is not widely investigated. In the current study different thermal treatments of tomato were evaluated with regard to their impact on in vitro bioaccessibility and retention of lycopene and beta-carotene as well as textural properties. Thermal treatments used were low (60 degrees C) and high (90 degrees C) temperature blanching followed by boiling. RESULTS Lycopene was relatively stable during thermal treatment, whereas beta-carotene was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by all heat treatments except for low temperature blanching. In vitro bioaccessibility of lycopene was significantly increased from 5.1 +/- 0.2 to 9.2 +/- 1.8 and 9.7 +/- 0.6 mg kg(-1) for low and high temperature blanching, respectively. An additional boiling step after blanching did not further improve lycopene bioaccessibility for any treatment, but significantly reduced the consistency of low temperature treated samples. CONCLUSION Choice and order of processing treatments can have a large impact on both lycopene bioavailability and texture of tomato products. Further investigations are needed, but this study provides one of the first steps towards tomato products tailored to optimise nutritional benefits.
Influence of protein synthesis inhibitors on regulation of extent of O-acetylation of gonococcal peptidoglycan

The effects of protein synthesis inhibitors on the extent of O-acetylation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae peptidoglycan (PG) and on the resistance of PG to degradation by human PG hydrolases were examined. Addition of chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and streptomycin (in amounts equal to approximately twice their respective MICs) rapidly increased the level of O-acetylation of [3H]glucosamine-labeled N. gonorrhoeae FA19 PG from 46% to about 70% and simultaneously enhanced the resistance of the PG to degradation by human polymorphonuclear leukocyte lysozyme. Entry into the stationary phase also enhanced O-acetylation of FA19 PG, but neither protein synthesis inhibitors nor the stationary phase had a detectable effect on the O-acetyl-deficient, lysozyme-sensitive PG of N. gonorrhoeae RD5. Mild alkali treatment of PG derived from chloramphenicol-treated FA19 specifically removed O-acetyl groups and simultaneously reduced the extents of O-acetylation and polymorphonuclear leukocyte lysozyme resistance to the level of RD5 PG, suggesting that the O-acetyl substituents were solely responsible for the increased PG hydrolase resistance of PG from chloramphenicol-treated FA19. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the drug-mediated enhancement of O-acetylation was limited to newly assembled PG. In summary, conditions favoring unbalanced macromolecular synthesis and bacteriostasis increased the level of O-acetylation and the PG hydrolase resistance of gonococcal PG. Similar conditions encountered by gonococci in vivo might potentiate the pathobiological consequences of PG-host interactions.
Scale Effects in Estimating the Variogram and Implications for Soil Hydrology

In monitoring and modeling landscape soil processes, the sampling and modeling scales should, ideally, be commensurate with the scales of the soil characteristics of interest. Unfortunately, this is usually not possible, both because the true covariance structure of the variable of interest is unknown a priori and because of logistical constraints. We examine the biases and random errors in variogram parameters that result from the choice of a sample scale triplet (spacing, extent, and support) that is not commensurate with the scales of the underlying “true” soil variability. We generate numerous two‐dimensional random fields, from which we sample data sets randomly or on a grid. We use these samples to estimate the variogram parameters with various methods. The results indicate that both biases and random errors may be large and depend on the sampling scale triplet relative to the scale of the underlying soil variability. The maximum likelihood (ML) method of parameter estimation gives the smallest biases for largely spaced random samples, while the weighted least squares (WLS) method gives the smallest biases for largely spaced gridded samples. Nonparametric estimates exhibit smaller random errors but larger biases than estimates from the two parametric methods (ML, WLS).
Cleidocranial Dysplasia with Autosomal Dominant Inheritance Pattern

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disease with a wide range of expression, characterized by clavicular hypoplasia, retarded cranial ossification, delayed bone and teeth development, supernumerary teeth, stomatognathic, craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. This paper presents a case of CCD in a female with brachycephalic skull, depressed frontal bone and nasal bridge, hypoplastic middle one-third of face with mandibular prognathism and hyper mobility of both shoulders with associated radiographic features. Odontologist is often the first professional who patient of CCD approaches, since there is a delay in the eruption or absence of permanent teeth. The premature diagnosis allows a scope for proper treatment modalities, offering a better life quality for patient.
Nitrogen Addition Could Shift Plant Community Composition in a Restored California Salt Marsh

At a salt marsh restoration site, fertilizer trials to improve height growth of Spartina foliosa (a C4 perennial grass that can reach 140 cm) appeared to favor Salicornia bigelovii (an annual C3 succulent under 40 cm tall) where the two species co‐occurred on the marsh plain. This observation prompted a field experiment to examine the potential for nitrogen (N) addition to shift community composition. Without N addition, total stem length and stem density of S. foliosa did not respond to the presence or absence of S. bigelovii. But where N was added, S. foliosa growth increased only where S. bigelovii was removed from plots. S. bigelovii responded strongly to fertilizer, with mean heights matching those of S. foliosa and 600% increases in biomass, branching, and seed production (to more than 1 million seeds/m2). Soil N also increased seasonally where S. bigelovii was present, suggesting that this species may aid accumulation of N at restoration sites with poor soils. S. foliosa growth is greatest at lower elevations along tidal creeks where it occurs alone. Beyond creek edges, where S. bigelovii and other potential competitors occur, S. foliosa is unlikely to grow tall even with N addition. Thus, there is little point in trying to force mixed‐species stands to provide tall S. foliosa for nesting by an endangered bird, Rallus longirostris levipes (the Light‐footed Clapper Rail). A marsh construction design that maximizes tidal creek edges is thus recommended when restoration goals include providing habitat for clapper rails.
La nouvelle identité organisationnelle des musées.

L’introduction d’une logique manageriale et commerciale dans les musees a profondement transforme leur identite organisationnelle. Une etude menee au Louvre pendant la realisation du Grand Louvre a permis d’analyser la crise des valeurs et de l’identite qu’a connue cette organisation. Elle montre comment cette crise a ete depassee par les acteurs qui ont progressivement construit une culture reconciliant l’art et le management. L’institution qu’est le musee est, au debut du XXIe siecle, definitivement entree dans une logique organisationnelle.
Design of an ultra high frequency wireless charging station

This paper presents the design of a wireless charging station using radio frequency energy, for small, rechargeable portable devices using a container of dimensions 100×100×100 mm3. Two folded uniplanar inverted F antennas working at 865 MHz ISM band are used as power transmitters. A rectifier circuit is designed for the receiver end to convert the incident RF power into DC power. Uniformity of electromagnetic fields within the container is studied using numerical simulations.
Hypofrontality in Schizophrenia

she was quiet, shy, with few friends and a gradual loss of social contacts. At age 15, her grades began to decline, she was frequently truant, and a teacher remarked that she was "nervous"and easily scared. At 19she was unemployed, often violent at home, careless of her appearance, withdrawn, hypochondriacal, and had poor family relations. She also began to run away from home and experimented with street drugs. About two weeks before the ear mutilation she became noisy, uncooperative with mother, hardly slept, took little interest in bathing or grooming and "pulled at her hair and screamed. " There was no history of mutilative behavior, recent change in physical appearance, family history or psychiatric illness, or a predisposing medical condition. The patient was not taking any medication, alcohol, or drugs at this time. Upon arrival at the hospital after severing part of her earlobe, the patient was noted to be a muscular and hirsute girl with a pulse rate of 120 per minute. Here eyes were wide open and the lids rarely closed. She was seclusive with a look of terror in her eyes. In the admission office she exhibited unusual behaviors, lying down on the table, pulling at her mutilated ear, making undirected striking motions, grimacing, and appeared to be responding to auditory hallucinations. She refused to speak, but did reply, "forever" in an indifferent manner to the question, "How long would you like to be quiet? " Rapid parenteral tranquilization was administered. The patient was constantly observed, and received appropriate surgical intervention. No medical abnormalities were found. Because of Miss A. 's history of schizophrenic illness and the prominent psychotic features at the time of admission, she was diagnosed according to DSM-III criteria as schizophrenic with an acute exacerbation. After stabilization, the patient was transferred to a state hospital which concurred with the diagnosis. After six months, a follow-up interview found the patient resistive and she rarely spoke. When asked concerning her self-injury she replied, "It made me relax to do it. " Her mother reported her daughter as saying, "I did it because a voice told me to. "
Reaction of Peroxynitrite with Mn-Superoxide Dismutase

Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), a critical mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, becomes inactivated and nitrated in vitro and potentially in vivo by peroxynitrite. Since peroxynitrite readily reacts with transition metal centers, we assessed the role of the manganese ion in the reaction between peroxynitrite and Mn-SOD. Peroxynitrite reacts with human recombinant and Escherichia coli Mn-SOD with a second order rate constant of 1.0 ± 0.2 × 105 and 1.4 ± 0.2 × 105 m − 1s− 1 at pH 7.47 and 37 °C, respectively. TheE. coli apoenzyme, obtained by removing the manganese ion from the active site, presents a rate constant <104 m − 1 s− 1for the reaction with peroxynitrite, whereas that of the manganese-reconstituted apoenzyme (apo/Mn) was comparable to that of the holoenzyme. Peroxynitrite-dependent nitration of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid was increased 21% by Mn-SOD. The apo/Mn also promoted nitration, but the apo and the zinc-substituted apoenzyme (apo/Zn) enzymes did not. The extent of tyrosine nitration in the enzyme was also affected by the presence and nature (i.e.manganese or zinc) of the metal center in the active site. For comparative purposes, we also studied the reaction of peroxynitrite with low molecular weight complexes of manganese and zinc with tetrakis-(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (tbap). Mn(tbap) reacts with peroxynitrite with a rate constant of 6.8 ± 0.1 × 104 m − 1s− 1 and maximally increases nitration yields by 350%. Zn(tbap), on the other hand, affords protection against nitration. Our results indicate that the manganese ion in Mn-SOD plays an important role in the decomposition kinetics of peroxynitrite and in peroxynitrite-dependent nitration of self and remote tyrosine residues.
Analysis of transmission methods for ultra-reliable communications

Fifth generation of cellular systems is expected to widely enable machine-type communications (MTC). The envisioned applications and services for MTC have diverse requirements which are not fully supported with current wireless systems. Ultra-reliable communications (URC) with low-latency is an essential feature for mission-critical applications, such as industrial automation, public safety, and vehicular safety applications. This feature guarantees a communication service with a high level of reliability. This paper investigates the feasibility and efficiency of URC over wireless links. It also analyzes the effectiveness of different transmission methods, including spatial diversity and support of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). Finally, the importance of reliable feedback information is highlighted.
The Experience of Hot Flushes After Breast Cancer

As survival from breast cancer increases, there is a corresponding rise in the number of women living with the long-term consequences of its treatment. Distressing menopausal hot flushes occur in many of these women. This article reports on interviews conducted with 8 women, exploring the experience of hot flushes after breast cancer. Women's accounts of hot flushes varied from being a mild sensation to an intensely unpleasant sensation affecting the whole body and accompanied by drenching perspiration. Flushes affected all aspects of the women's lives, including sleeping, clothing, social situations, intimate relationships, and ability to work. Emotionally, women talked about being out of control. Having cancer and menopause simultaneously made it more difficult for the women to cope, and cancer treatment could cause flushing. The women used many strategies to help relieve their difficulties. Some resorted to hormone replacement therapy, whereas others turned to herbal medications and other alternative interventions such as acupuncture. Most women adopted behavioral strategies to try to regain control. Ultimately, they found that control was gained by attitude of mind. Cognitive behavioral techniques may enhance the sense of control and contribute to coping during hot flushes.
The Properties and Activity of TiO2/beta‐SiC Nanocomposites in Organic Dyes Photodegradation

The TiO2/beta‐SiC nanocomposites containing 0–25 wt. % of beta‐SiC were synthesized by the sol‐gel method and tested in the photodegradation of methylene blue and methyl orange water solutions. With the increase in SiC content, only a slight decrease in energy band gap was observed (3.19–3.12 eV), together with significant increase in the surface area of the catalysts (42.7–80.4 m2 g−1). In the synthesized material, the anatase phase of TiO2 was present in the form of small agglomerates resulting from the mechanical mixing process. In the process conditions (catalyst concentration 0.5 g L−1, initial dye concentration 100 ppm, light source 100 W UV‐Vis lamp), we have observed no signs of catalyst deactivation. The significantly higher photodegradation activity of methylene blue than methyl orange can be attributed to the preferable pH of the solution compared to pHPZC and the cationic character of the first dye. In case of methyl orange, pH process conditions substantially limit the contact of the catalyst with the dye, as negatively charged surface of the catalysts repels the dissociated anionic dye molecules.
Dissociation of Calmodulin-Target Peptide Complexes by the Lipid Mediator Sphingosylphosphorylcholine

Previously we have identified the lipid mediator sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) as the first potentially endogenous inhibitor of the ubiquitous Ca2+ sensor calmodulin (CaM) (Kovacs, E., and Liliom, K. (2008) Biochem. J. 410, 427–437). Here we give mechanistic insight into CaM inhibition by SPC, based on fluorescence stopped-flow studies with the model CaM-binding domain melittin. We demonstrate that both the peptide and SPC micelles bind to CaM in a rapid and reversible manner with comparable affinities. Furthermore, we present kinetic evidence that both species compete for the same target site on CaM, and thus SPC can be considered as a competitive inhibitor of CaM-target peptide interactions. We also show that SPC disrupts the complex of CaM and the CaM-binding domain of ryanodine receptor type 1, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1, and the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. By interfering with these interactions, thus inhibiting the negative feedback that CaM has on Ca2+ signaling, we hypothesize that SPC could lead to Ca2+ mobilization in vivo. Hence, we suggest that the action of the sphingolipid on CaM might explain the previously recognized phenomenon that SPC liberates Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Moreover, we demonstrate that unlike traditional synthetic CaM inhibitors, SPC disrupts the complex between not only the Ca2+-saturated but also the apo form of the protein and the target peptide, suggesting a completely novel regulation for target proteins that constitutively bind CaM, such as ryanodine receptors.
Calpain Inhibition Attenuates Angiotensin II–induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Atherosclerosis in Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor–deficient Mice

Abstract Chronic infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) augments atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in hypercholesterolemic mice. AngII-induced AAAs are associated with medial macrophage accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation. Inhibition of calpain, a calcium-activated neutral cysteine protease, by overexpression of its endogenous inhibitor, calpastatin, attenuates AngII-induced leukocyte infiltration, perivascular inflammation, and MMP activation in mice. The purpose of this study was to define whether pharmacological inhibition of calpain influences AngII-induced AAAs in hypercholesterolemic mice. Male low-density lipoprotein receptor−/− mice were fed a fat-enriched diet and administered with either vehicle or a calpain-specific inhibitor, BDA-410 (30 mg/kg per day) for 5 weeks. After 1 week of feeding, mice were infused with AngII (1000 ng/kg per minute) for 4 weeks. AngII-infusion profoundly increased aortic calpain protein and activity. BDA-410 administration had no effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations or AngII-increased systolic blood pressure. Calpain inhibition significantly attenuated AngII-induced AAA formation and atherosclerosis development. BDA-410 administration attenuated activation of MMP12, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and macrophage infiltration into the aorta. BDA-410 administration significantly attenuated thioglycolate-elicited macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. We conclude that calpain inhibition using BDA-410 attenuated AngII-induced AAA formation and atherosclerosis development in low-density lipoprotein receptor−/− mice.