Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PCR enrichment techniques to identify the diet of predators

The increasing sensitivity of PCR has meant that in the last two decades PCR has emerged as a major tool in diet studies, enabling us to refine our understanding of trophic links and to elucidate the diets of predators whose prey is as yet uncharacterized. The achievements and methods of PCR‐based diet studies have been reviewed several times, but here we review an important development in the field: the use of PCR enrichment techniques to promote the amplification of prey DNA over that of the predator. We first discuss the success of using group‐specific primers either in parallel single reactions or in multiplex reactions. We then concentrate on the more recent use of PCR enrichment techniques such as restriction enzyme digests, peptide nucleic acid clamping, DNA blocking and laser capture microdissection. We also survey the vast literature on enrichment techniques in clinical biology, to ascertain the pitfalls of enrichment techniques and what refinements have yielded some highly sensitive methods. We find that while there are several new approaches to enrichment, peptide nucleic acid clamping and DNA blocking are generally sufficient techniques for the characterization of diets of predators and highlight the most important considerations of the approach.
Embolic events during total hip arthroplasty: an echocardiographic study.

We performed transesophageal echocardiography on 88 patients treated with cementless or hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA). We observed a significantly higher frequency of severe embolic events among patients without cup holes during insertion of press-fit cups (46.0%) than in patients with holes (15.6%) (P<.005). During stem insertion, severe embolic events occurred in 61.5% of hybrid operations and 5.9% of cementless operations. PaO(2), systolic blood pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation decreased significantly in severe embolic events (P<.05). The results indicate that embolic events may occur during THA whether or not cement is used. Based on these findings, we make several recommendations for technique modifications during insertion of both femoral and acetabular components in THA.
The importance of plasma protein binding in drug discovery

Plasma protein binding of drugs is a well-recognised phenomena, but it is only recently that the implications for drug action in vivo have been fully appreciated. Plasma proteins, by virtue of their high concentration, control the free drug concentration in plasma and in compartments in equilibrium with plasma, thereby, effectively attenuating drug potency in vivo. The historical background and thermodynamic basis for the ‘Free Drug Principle’ is presented, along with special considerations for intracellular targets, deep compartments and α1-acid glycoprotein binding. Real and apparent exceptions to the principle are discussed along with a survey of citations from the recent medicinal chemistry literature.
Internet Finance: Its Uncertain Legal Foundations and the Role of Big Data in Its Development

ABSTRACT Internet finance has made significant progress in China. At the same time, it also suffers from legal gaps and inconsistencies. Traditionally, legislation regulates the emerging internet financial market by distinguishing between legal and illegal activities. Users of internet finance engage in regulatory arbitrage and pursue short-term profits, which distort the market. Regulations over internet finance should conform to market logic and utilize informational mechanisms and big data to reduce fraudulent information and market friction, ensuring market transparency, competition, and fair pricing.
A G-band (140 - 220 GHz) microstrip MMIC mixer operating in both resistive and drain-pumped mode

This paper presents the design and characterization of a G-band microstrip single-ended MMIC mixer in a 0.1 μm GaAs mHEMT technology. The mixer is measured in both resistive and drain-pumped mode of operation and a comparison between the two mixer topologies is made. Conversion loss versus RF and IF frequencies as well as loss versus applied LO power are presented in the 180 to 230 GHz band. The RF and IF 3-dB bandwidths are both limited by the measurement setup rather than the mixer itself and measures >30 GHz and >50 GHz, respectively. Both the bandwidths and frequency of operation are state-of-the-art for a MMIC mixer, regardless of technology. Applications include e.g. wireless transfer of very high data rates (>10 Gbps) and broadband radiometer front-ends covering several interesting frequency bands.
Influence of organ microenvironment on pigmentation of a metastatic murine melanoma.

The purpose of these studies was to investigate the relationship of the host microenvironment to the metastatic and pigmented phenotypes of the SW-1 variant of the murine K-1735 melanoma. The SW-1 subline was isolated from an amelanotic lung metastasis in a C3H/HeN mouse given an s.c. injection of the K-1735 melanoma. Cells of this line were highly metastatic and produced tumor deposits in many organs. In all sites except the brain, these lesions were predominantly amelanotic. K-1735 SW-1 cells were isolated from metastases in various organs and subsequently reinoculated into normal syngeneic recipients. Whereas the metastatic phenotype remained stable and thus was heritable, pigmentation was unstable and appeared to be modulated by the site of tumor growth. Further differences in the phenotype of K-1735 SW-1 cells growing in vivo and in culture were revealed by assays for tyrosinase activity. K-1735 SW-1 cells growing in culture did not produce melanin nor did they respond to agents that can stimulate melanin production in another mouse melanoma, the B16 line. K-1735 SW-1 cells do not, however, lack tyrosinase, since these cells are capable of producing melanin when growing in certain organs in vivo. We conclude that the host organ environment may influence a phenotype of malignant melanoma cells, i.e., pigmentation. These findings also suggest caution when extrapolating the results of in vitro biochemical assays to properties of tumor cells growing in vivo.
Early antiretroviral therapy and mortality among HIV-infected infants.

BACKGROUND In countries with a high seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV infection contributes significantly to infant mortality. We investigated antiretroviral-treatment strategies in the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy (CHER) trial. METHODS HIV-infected infants 6 to 12 weeks of age with a CD4 lymphocyte percentage (the CD4 percentage) of 25% or more were randomly assigned to receive antiretroviral therapy (lopinavir-ritonavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine) when the CD4 percentage decreased to less than 20% (or 25% if the child was younger than 1 year) or clinical criteria were met (the deferred antiretroviral-therapy group) or to immediate initiation of limited antiretroviral therapy until 1 year of age or 2 years of age (the early antiretroviral-therapy groups). We report the early outcomes for infants who received deferred antiretroviral therapy as compared with early antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS At a median age of 7.4 weeks (interquartile range, 6.6 to 8.9) and a CD4 percentage of 35.2% (interquartile range, 29.1 to 41.2), 125 infants were randomly assigned to receive deferred therapy, and 252 infants were randomly assigned to receive early therapy. After a median follow-up of 40 weeks (interquartile range, 24 to 58), antiretroviral therapy was initiated in 66% of infants in the deferred-therapy group. Twenty infants in the deferred-therapy group (16%) died versus 10 infants in the early-therapy groups (4%) (hazard ratio for death, 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11 to 0.51; P<0.001). In 32 infants in the deferred-therapy group (26%) versus 16 infants in the early-therapy groups (6%), disease progressed to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage C or severe stage B (hazard ratio for disease progression, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.41; P<0.001). Stavudine was substituted for zidovudine in four infants in the early-therapy groups because of neutropenia in three infants and anemia in one infant; no drugs were permanently discontinued. After a review by the data and safety monitoring board, the deferred-therapy group was modified, and infants in this group were all reassessed for initiation of antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS Early HIV diagnosis and early antiretroviral therapy reduced early infant mortality by 76% and HIV progression by 75%. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00102960.)
Shape Tracking of Planar Hyper-Flexible Beams via Embedded PVDF Deflection Sensors

In this paper, we present an embedded shape-sensing method for soft robotics. Soft actuators and structures are paramount for safe human-robot interaction and are of interest in biomimetics, biotechnology and defense. Control of compliant manipulators is challenging because of their large deformations, hence a form of shape feedback is required. We propose a tracking system for continuum structures using deflection sensors made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a thin piezoelectric polymer. We demonstrate that hyper-flexible beam shapes may be parameterized with a small set of basis functions and that the deflection sensors can be used to determine the weights of the basis functions. In other words, shape reconstruction of the beam shape is reduced to solving a linear interpolation problem defined by the sensors. Interpreting the sensors with this method can reduce the cumulative errors associated with piecewise methods. We demonstrate shape tracking of a hyper-flexible beam in two-dimensional (2-D) on two experimental test beds: a pneumatic bellows actuator and a hyper-flexible plastic ruler. In addition, the data were used in simulation, for systematic investigation of several aspects: number of sensors, their relative-size, and the type of basis functions used for parameterization. We demonstrate tracking capabilities and propose guidelines for the ideal sensor layout. Our approach facilitates kinematic monitoring and control of continuum manipulators and flexible structures.
Analysing the impact of targeted bio-ethanol blending ratio in Turkey

In Turkey, a legal requirement of blending bio-ethanol with conventional fuels has been imposed, and this is likely to increase in the future. The blending target policy is multi-dimensional as it has direct and indirect impacts on agricultural and factor markets, trade and budget deficit, income distribution, food security and on environment. In this study, policy analyses are carried out to investigate whether the blending target is feasible and sustainable in terms of the economic structure of Turkey. Analyses were carried out by employing an agricultural bilateral trade model and agriculture focused social accounting matrix. Findings suggest that target rate can be feasible and harmless on food security, if the extra required supply is provided through tariff reduction particularly on imports of wheat and maize rather than promoting their production through price premiums. For achieving sustainability of the target blending rate, new supportive policies have to be implemented to create alternative job opportunities in the rural areas and/or to shift farmers for alternative crops.
The urea reduction ratio and serum albumin concentration as predictors of mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND Among patients with end-stage renal disease who are treated with hemodialysis, solute clearance during dialysis and nutritional adequacy are determinants of mortality. We determined the effects of reductions in blood urea nitrogen concentrations during dialysis and changes in serum albumin concentrations, as an indicator of nutritional status, on mortality in a large group of patients treated with hemodialysis. METHODS We analyzed retrospectively the demographic characteristics, mortality rate, duration of hemodialysis, serum albumin concentration, and urea reduction ratio (defined as the percent reduction in blood urea nitrogen concentration during a single dialysis treatment) in 13,473 patients treated from October 1, 1990, through March 31, 1991. The risk of death was determined as a function of the urea reduction ratio and serum albumin concentration. RESULTS As compared with patients with urea reduction ratios of 65 to 69 percent, patients with values below 60 percent had a higher risk of death during follow-up (odds ratio, 1.28 for urea reduction ratios of 55 to 59 percent and 1.39 for ratios below 55 percent). Fifty-five percent of the patients had urea reduction ratios below 60 percent. The duration of dialysis was not predictive of mortality. The serum albumin concentration was a more powerful (21 times greater) predictor of death than the urea reduction ratio, and 60 percent of the patients had serum albumin concentrations predictive of an increased risk of death (values below 4.0 g per deciliter). The odds ratio for death was 1.48 for serum albumin concentrations of 3.5 to 3.9 g per deciliter and 3.13 for concentrations of 3.0 to 3.4 g per deciliter. Diabetic patients had lower serum albumin concentrations and urea reduction ratios than nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS Low urea reduction ratios during dialysis are associated with increased odds ratios for death. These risks are worsened by inadequate nutrition.
Analyzing the Performance of Multifactor Investment Strategies under a Multiple Testing Framework

Evaluating portfolios based on numerous combinations of factors using the individual backtesting method could suffer from serious data mining bias and lead to spurious significant findings. Accordingly, the authors employ a multiple hypothesis testing method to examine the multifactor portfolio’s performance. Their empirical results show that even after they adjust for the multiple comparisons bias, stock-picking strategies with certain combined firm characteristics could generate significantly better liquidity risk–adjusted returns. In addition, the outperforming multifactor strategies that the authors report are robust to alternative definitions of factors. However, they observe that the number of significantly profitable multifactor portfolios has decreased substantially in the era of increased liquidity and trading activity in the U.S. stock market.
Bandwidth Enhancement of Internal Antenna by Using Reactive Loading for Penta-Band Mobile Handset Application

A metal-wire-cutting bended monopole antenna (BMA) fed by mini-coaxial cable jointly with a thin printed ground-line which protrudes from ground-plane to be a balance-feed structure for bandwidth enhancement is proposed. A prototype of the proposed antenna with 40 mm in length, 6 mm in height and 5 mm in width has been fabricated and experimentally investigated. The human's hand effect on impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna is studied. A prototype is designed to cover penta-band: CDMA (824-894 MHz), GSM (880-960 MHz), DCS (1710-1880 MHz), PCS (1850-1990 MHz) and WCDMA (1920-2170 MHz). Experimental results are shown to verify the validity of theoretical work.
A two-path bandpass sigma-delta modulator with extended noise shaping

A three-stage bandpass sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) analog-to-digital converter has been designed specifically for operation at low oversampling ratios. In the proposed architecture, the center frequency of the third stage is shifted slightly from that of the first two stages to achieve more efficient noise shaping across the signal band. An experimental modulator based on the proposed topology has been integrated in a 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS technology and achieves a dynamic range of 75 dB with a maximum signal-to-noise-plus-distortion ratio (SNDR) of 70 dB when digitizing a 2-MHz signal band centered at 16 MHz. This circuit implements an f/sub s//4 bandpass architecture and thus operates at 64-MHz clock rate. It dissipates 110 mW from a 2.5-V supply, and its active area is 4 mm/sup 2/.
A Spatial Prescreening Technique for Earth Observation Data

We introduce a precise, efficient, and flexible spatial prescreening technique developed to support Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data subsetting in response to the requests of Aerosol Robotic Network researchers. The technique is capable of handling all MODIS data granules uniformly regardless of their locations on the Earth, with no special treatment required for dateline and pole crossing regions. It is easily adaptable to other problems where spatial prescreening is desired
Human immunodeficiency virus infection of cells arrested in the cell cycle.

Cell proliferation is necessary for proviral integration and productive infection of most retroviruses. Nevertheless, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can infect non‐dividing macrophages. This ability to grow in non‐dividing cells is not specific to macrophages because, as we show here, CD4+ HeLa cells arrested at stage G2 of the cell cycle can be infected by HIV‐1. Proliferation is necessary for these same cells to be infected by a murine retrovirus, MuLV. HIV‐1 integrates into the arrested cell DNA and produces viral RNA and protein in a pattern similar to that in normal cells. In addition, our data suggest that the ability to infect non‐dividing cells is due to one of the HIV‐1 core virion proteins. HIV infection of non‐dividing cells distinguishes lentiviruses from other retroviruses and is likely to be important in the natural history of HIV infection.
Accumulation of yolk proteins in insect oocytes.

In insects, accumulation of yolk, or vitellogenesis, is a heterosynthetic pro­ cess, in which an extraovarian tissue, the fat body, produces yolk protein precursors ( 1 , 92). Heterosynthetic vitellogenesis occurs even in the most primitive insects, the Apterygota (9, 10, 1 13). Only for two apterygote insects have ultrastructural observations indicated participation of autosynthesis in vitellogensis (9, 10) . This claim, however, requires confirmation by biochem­ ical or immunochemical means . Because of the heterosynthetic nature of vitellogenesis in insects, their oocytes are highly specialized for the specific accumulation of extraovarian yolk protein precursors . Telfer first implicated the role of endocytosis in yolk deposition in insect oocytes . He found selective concentration of some hemolymph-borne proteins in yolk bodies of Hyalophora cecropia oocytes ( 1 29, 1 3 1 ) . Coated vesicles, the cellular structures associated with selective endocytosis, were first observed in oocytes of the mosquito Aedes aegypti ( 1 1 2) . These pioneering studies were followed by numerous electron micro­ scopical and tracer investigations that supported earlier data on the in­ ternalization pathway of extraovarian proteins in follicles and on the role of coated vesicles in yolk deposition in insect oocytes (reviewed in 1 33) .
The use of policy appraisal in water policy making: Comparing WFD implementation in England and France

Of all natural resources, water is particularly under pressure due to its intensive use. Therefore, it is vital to better understand the decision-making processes that could reverse trends in environmental deterioration. Policy appraisal tools can help decision makers develop sustainable public policies, as they support evidence-based policy choices. In practice, however, they are rarely used as a basis for decisions. In this context, this PhD has aimed to answer the following research question: How can we explain the different uses of policy appraisal - in particular of economic analysis – beyond evidence-based policy making in water decision making? To this end, I studied the case of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) and the use of cost-benefit analysis in its application in the United Kingdom and France, as recent examples in which economic-based policy appraisal plays, in principle, a key role. I showed that appraisal tools could reflect political objectives and environmental policy ambitions in two ways. Firstly in the choice of the appraisal tool itself, which follows a specific logic. Secondly, the operationalisation of the tool selected may be influenced by political goals. As a consequence, the use of policy appraisal for evidence-based decision making can partly be explained by the discrepancy between the output of the appraisal and the political objectives pursued. More generally, I found that the politics stream – i.e. the political context - determines the presence and importance of appraisal tools in the policy process and explains further uses, in particular in problem definition and policy formulation. I also provided an empirical contribution to the knowledge on WFD implementation in member states. I explained the process of setting objectives and exemptions in two member states, and the role that economic analysis played in the decision-making process. I showed that ambitions related to the implementation of the WFD, and the political context more generally, shaped the decisions on the analytical tools used and that choices made in the operationalisation of these tools partly influenced the protection standards of individual water bodies. These results imply that debates on the use of policy appraisal in WFD implementation should go beyond experts’ circles and be considered in the political sphere.
Identification of an abscisic acid transporter by functional screening using the receptor complex as a sensor

Movement of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) within plants has been documented; however, the molecular mechanisms that regulate ABA transport are not fully understood. By using a modified yeast two-hybrid system, we screened Arabidopsis cDNAs capable of inducing interactions between the ABA receptor PYR/PYL/RCAR and PP2C protein phosphatase under low ABA concentrations. By using this approach, we identified four members of the NRT1/PTR family as candidates for ABA importers. Transport assays in yeast and insect cells demonstrated that at least one of the candidates ABA-IMPORTING TRANSPORTER (AIT) 1, which had been characterized as the low-affinity nitrate transporter NRT1.2, mediates cellular ABA uptake. Compared with WT, the ait1/nrt1.2 mutants were less sensitive to exogenously applied ABA during seed germination and/or postgermination growth, whereas overexpression of AIT1/NRT1.2 resulted in ABA hypersensitivity in the same conditions. Interestingly, the inflorescence stems of ait1/nrt1.2 had a lower surface temperature than those of the WT because of excess water loss from open stomata. We detected promoter activities of AIT1/NRT1.2 around vascular tissues in inflorescence stems, leaves, and roots. These data suggest that the function of AIT1/NRT1.2 as an ABA importer at the site of ABA biosynthesis is important for the regulation of stomatal aperture in inflorescence stems.
Design of omnidirectional UWB notch antennas

In the present paper, we use an electromagnetic field simulator across the entire UWB range to perform analytical evaluation of the structural parameters governing the characteristics of omnidirectional UWB notch antennas. As a result, it was found that there are certain dimensions for the slot and positions for the feed point for which the bandwidth is maximized, and the obtained characteristics are closest to being omnidirectional in the H plane. Thus, we propose the adoption of these evaluation procedures for the design of the antenna presented in this paper. It was also found that the bandwidth exhibits a strong dependence on the slot width, and that the slot length exerts strong influence on the emission directionality. In addition, once the slot width and the slot length are chosen, the position of the feed point is unequivocally determined through analysis. Finally, the effectiveness of the present design method was confirmed through experiments.