Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate modeling of wideband RF Doherty power amplifiers using dynamic nonlinear models

In this paper, a 100-watte LDMOS Doherty power amplifier is designed to test the modeling capability of the widely used memory polynomial model and the augmented Wiener model for the dynamic nonlinear behaviors of a wideband PA. The augmented Wiener model and its identification algorithm are discussed in details. The experimental validation results demonstrate that the augmented Wiener model can simulate the dynamic nonlinearity of this Doherty PA more accurately than the memory polynomial model.
Inhibition of dexamethasone-induced cytoskeletal changes in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells by tetrahydrocortisol.

PURPOSE To determine the cellular mechanism of action of the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering steroid tetrahydrocortisol (THF). METHODS Tetrahydrocortisol was evaluated for glucocorticoid antagonist activity using in vitro and in vivo assays. Systemically administered THF was evaluated for its ability to inhibit dexamethasone-induced body weight loss and systemic hypertension in rats. In vitro receptor antagonism was tested using the supernatant fraction of IM9 cells as the source of soluble glucocorticoid receptor in 3H-dexamethasone displacement binding assays. In addition, six different primary human trabecular meshwork (TM) cell lines were cultured for 0 to 14 days in the absence or presence of dexamethasone (10(-7) M) and/or THF (10(-6) to 10(-8) M). The effects of these steroids on the TM cytoskeleton were determined by epifluorescent microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Tetrahydrocortisol was unable to inhibit the dexamethasone (DEX)-induced systemic hypertension and decrease in body mass in rats and was unable to displace 3H-DEX from the soluble human glucocorticoid receptor. However, THF inhibited the DEX-induced formation of cross-linked actin networks in cultured human TM cells in a progressive and dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 5.7 x 10(-7) M). Dexamethasone caused changes in the TM cell microtubules that were reversed partially by concomitant treatment with THF. Tetrahydrocortisol alone appeared to increase microfilament bundling in TM cells. CONCLUSIONS Tetrahydrocortisol was not a glucocorticoid antagonist at the level of the classical glucocorticoid receptor and did not appear to antagonize systemically mediated glucocorticoid activity in the rat. Tetrahydrocortisol inhibited DEX-induced changes in the TM microfilaments and microtubules. These results may explain partially the IOP lowering activity of THF because glucocorticoid-mediated changes in the TM cytoskeleton have been proposed to be involved in the generation of ocular hypertension.
The Perinatal Development of Arterial Pressure in Sheep: Effects of Low Birth Weight Due to Twinning

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fetal growth restriction due to twinning on the perinatal development of arterial pressure. Arterial pressure was recorded in fetal sheep (5 singletons, 8 twins) during late gestation and at 8 weeks after birth (11 singletons, 18 twins). In fetuses, there were no differences between singletons and twins in arterial pressure or plasma electrolytes. Postnatal twins were 17.3% lighter than singletons at birth, and growth rate was similar to singletons up to 8 weeks. After birth, arterial pressure was not different between groups, except that at 8 weeks, the systolic pressure was lower in twins. After birth, there were no differences between twins and singleton lambs in concentrations of plasma electrolytes, plasma renin, angiotensin II, and cortisol. Taken together with previous findings, the authors conclude that natural twinning in sheep followed by normal postnatal growth does not lead to hypertension.
Activin redux: specification of mesodermal pattern in Xenopus by graded concentrations of endogenous activin B

Mesoderm formation in the amphibian embryo occurs through an inductive interaction in which cells of the vegetal hemisphere of the embryo act on overlying equatorial cells. The first candidate mesoderm-inducing factor to be identified was activin, a member of the transforming growth factor type β family, and it is now clear that members of this family are indeed involved in mesoderm and endoderm formation. In particular, Derrière and five nodal-related genes are all considered to be strong candidates for endogenous mesoderm-inducing agents. Here, we show that activin, the function of which in mesoderm induction has hitherto been unclear, also plays a role in mesoderm formation. Inhibition of activin function using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides interferes with mesoderm formation in a concentration-dependent manner and also changes the expression levels of other inducing agents such as Xnr2 and Derrière. This work reinstates activin as a key player in mesodermal patterning. It also emphasises the importance of checking for polymorphisms in the 5′ untranslated region of the gene of interest when carrying out antisense morpholino experiments in Xenopus laevis.
An Analysis of the Pacing Strategies Adopted by Elite Cross-Country Skiers

Abstract Losnegard, T, Kjeldsen, K, and Skattebo, Ø. An analysis of the pacing strategies adopted by elite cross-country skiers. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3256–3260, 2016—Understanding the pacing strategies used by the most successful skiers may provide insight into the most desirable pacing approach in cross-country (XC) skiing. This study examined the pacing strategies adopted by male and female XC skiers of different performance standards during 10 and 15 km races in World Cup, World Championships, and Olympic events. Analyses were performed on races involving 5 km laps in the men's 15 km (number of races = 22) and the women's 10 km (n = 14) individual start races (classic and freestyle) from season 2002/2003 to season 2013/2014. Final rank and lap times for the 40 top finishers in each race were analyzed. Both sexes demonstrated a positive pacing pattern shown by a decline in velocity from the first to the last lap (men: 6.76 ± 0.43 m·s−1 vs. 6.47 ± 0.46 m·s−1; p < 0.001; women: 6.0 ± 0.47 m·s−1 vs. 5.87 ± 0.53 m·s−1; p < 0.001). For the men, slower skiers (final ranking 21st–30th and 31st–40th) were characterized by a quick start relative to their average velocity, with a greater decrease during the race compared with the fastest skiers (1st–10th) (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). For the women, no group differences in pacing strategy were found. In conclusion, this study shows that the pacing strategy indicates the standard of elite male XC skiers. Examining the pacing strategies of the best male performers suggests that lower-performing male skiers should consider a more even pacing strategy to improve their performance.
Online Fault Tolerance for FPGA Logic Blocks

Most adaptive computing systems use reconfigurable hardware in the form of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). For these systems to be fielded in harsh environments where high reliability and availability are a must, the applications running on the FPGAs must tolerate hardware faults that may occur during the lifetime of the system. In this paper, we present new fault-tolerant techniques for FPGA logic blocks, developed as part of the roving self-test areas (STARs) approach to online testing, diagnosis, and reconfiguration . Our techniques can handle large numbers of faults (we show tolerance of over 100 logic faults via actual implementation on an FPGA consisting of a 20 times 20 array of logic blocks). A key novel feature is the reuse of defective logic blocks to increase the number of effective spares and extend the mission life. To increase fault tolerance, we not only use nonfaulty parts of defective or partially faulty logic blocks, but we also use faulty parts of defective logic blocks in nonfaulty modes. By using and reusing faulty resources, our multilevel approach extends the number of tolerable faults beyond the number of currently available spare logic resources. Unlike many column, row, or tile-based methods, our multilevel approach can tolerate not only faults that are evenly distributed over the logic area, but also clusters of faults in the same local area. Furthermore, system operation is not interrupted for fault diagnosis or for computing fault-bypassing configurations. Our fault tolerance techniques have been implemented using ORCA 2C series FPGAs which feature incremental dynamic runtime reconfiguration
Correlated magnetic resonance imaging and ultramicroscopy (MR-UM) is a tool kit to assess the dynamics of glioma angiogenesis

Neoangiogenesis is a pivotal therapeutic target in glioblastoma. Tumor monitoring requires imaging methods to assess treatment effects and disease progression. Until now mapping of the tumor vasculature has been difficult. We have developed a combined magnetic resonance and optical toolkit to study neoangiogenesis in glioma models. We use in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and correlative ultramicroscopy (UM) of ex vivo cleared whole brains to track neovascularization. T2* imaging allows the identification of single vessels in glioma development and the quantification of neovessels over time. Pharmacological VEGF inhibition leads to partial vascular normalization with decreased vessel caliber, density, and permeability. To further resolve the tumor microvasculature, we performed correlated UM of fluorescently labeled microvessels in cleared brains. UM resolved typical features of neoangiogenesis and tumor cell invasion with a spatial resolution of ~5 µm. MR-UM can be used as a platform for three-dimensional mapping and high-resolution quantification of tumor angiogenesis. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.11712. 001
Curcumin in Cancer Chemoprevention: Molecular Targets, Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability, and Clinical Trials

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a derivative of turmeric is one of the most commonly used and highly researched phytochemicals. Abundant sources provide interesting insights into the multiple mechanisms by which curcumin may mediate chemotherapy and chemopreventive effects on cancer. The pleiotropic role of this dietary compound includes the inhibition of several cell signaling pathways at multiple levels, such as transcription factors (NF‐κB and AP‐1), enzymes (COX‐2, MMPs), cell cycle arrest (cyclin D1), proliferation (EGFR and Akt), survival pathways (β‐catenin and adhesion molecules), and TNF. Curcumin up‐regulates caspase family proteins and down‐regulates anti‐apoptotic genes (Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL). In addition, cDNA microarrays analysis adds a new dimension for molecular responses of cancer cells to curcumin at the genomic level. Although, curcumin's poor absorption and low systemic bioavailability limits the access of adequate concentrations for pharmacological effects in certain tissues, active levels in the gastrointestinal tract have been found in animal and human pharmacokinetic studies. Currently, sufficient data has been shown to advocate phase II and phase III clinical trials of curcumin for a variety of cancer conditions including multiple myeloma, pancreatic, and colon cancer.
TP53 gene mutations in plasma DNA of cancer patients

Using different molecular techniques, DNA has been shown to be present in plasma of patients with several types of tumors. Mutations of TP53 are the most common genetic changes in human cancers. We investigated the presence of TP53 gene mutations in plasma DNA of breast and small cell lung cancer patients. Tumor and plasma DNA of 25 patients were studied by PCR‐SSCP and direct sequencing, through exons 5, 6, 7, and 8, of TP53. Six cases of mutations in tumor DNA were observed that, in 3 cases (50%), were also identified in plasma of the same patients. Mutations of the TP53 gene are seen in plasma DNA of cancer patients, and may prove to be a useful new tool in the management of these patients. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 24:160–161, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PECULIARITIES OF PHARMACOTHERAPY IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND COMORBID PATHOLOGY.

UNLABELLED In patients with arterial hypertension (AH) pharmacotherapy often remains ineffective because of comorbid pathology. Research of haemodynamic and metabolic processes in such patients allows prescribe effective antihypertensive medicines, improve life quality and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS 60 patients with AH, coronary artery disease and obesity were divided into three groups: 1st group was treated with lisinopril + atorvastatin + aspirin (regimen I); 2nd group was treated with lisinopril + atorvastatin + bisoprolol + aspirin (regimen II); 3rd group was treated with lisinopril + bisoprolol + indapamide + atorvastatin + aspirin (regimen III). Laser correlation spectrometry (LCS) was used to evaluate the homeostatic alterations. RESULTS All regimens were equally effective in normalization of systolic blood pressure and did not influence the ejection fraction. Only in the 3rd group was determined significant increase of glomerular filtration rate (92.73 ± 2.12 vs 79.62 ± 13.62 ml/min/1.73m2). The LCS test showed that these patients had high level of light scattering particles IV, which may be caused by activation of anabolic processes. In other groups, spectral alterations were not so expressive. CONCLUSIONS Prescription of antihypertensive therapy cause homeostatic and metabolic alterations, which may influence the efficacy of treatment.
Different regulation of cardiac and renal corticosteroid receptors in aldosterone-salt treated rats: effect of hypertension and glucocorticoids.

This study analysed the regulation of cardiac mineraloreceptor (MR) and glucoreceptor (GR) in aldosterone-salt treatment (AST). AST causes hypertension, left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy and decreases plasma corticosterone level. Ribonuclease protection assay and Western blot analysis showed a rise of MR mRNA (1.5- and 1.4-fold at day 15 and 30, respectively) and protein levels (1.8- and 4.1-fold at day 30 and 60, respectively) in the LV, but not in either the right ventricle (RV) or in kidney of treated rats. Addition of MR antagonist spironolactone (20 mg/kg/day) for 30 days failed to prevent these changes but was able to reduce AST-induced cardiac fibrosis. Similar hypertension-induced MR upregulations were observed in the LV of AngII-hypertensive rats and of 12-week-old SHR when compared to 4-week-old prehypertensive SHR. AST also enhanced left ventricular GR mRNA (2.0- and 3.0-fold at day 7 and 15, respectively) and protein contents (2.0- and 1.7-fold at day 30 and 60, respectively). In contrast to MR, GR levels were also upregulated in both RV and kidney. Such an upregulation was equally observed at mRNA and protein levels in LV, RV and kidney after adrenalectomy (15 days) and was prevented in both tissues after glucocorticoid replacement (adrenalectomy + dexamethasone at 100 micro g/kg/day for 15 days). Therefore, MR level may be controlled by hemodynamical factors whereas that of GR depends upon glucocorticoids level.
Game Theoretical Analysis of Service Provision for the Internet of Things Based on Sensor Virtualization

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to bring major benefits to a wide range of areas. However, the successful deployment of the IoT calls for the existence of sustainable and well-understood business models. In this paper, we propose and analyze a business model for a likely scenario in the IoT, which is made up of WSNs, service providers and users. The service providers compete against each other in the intermediation between the virtualized WSNs and the users that benefit from enhanced services built on the sensed data. The service providers pay to the WSNs for the data and charge the users for the service. The model is analyzed by applying oligopoly theory and game theory, the conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium are established, and the equilibrium and the social optimum are obtained. Our results show that the business model is sustainable, provided that the users’ sensitivity to the value-to-price ratio is not negligible and, in this situation, the number of active service providers is upper bounded by a value that depends on the sensitivity and the market size. Furthermore, the operation of such a market is shown to efficiently use the information provided by the WSNs, and, when compared to the social optimum, to produce an increase in users’ and service providers’ surpluses, but a reduction in WSNs’ surplus.
The negotiation of sexual relationships among school pupils in south-western Uganda

The objective of the study was to explore how school-going adolescents in south-western Uganda negotiate sexual relationships. Qualitative data were obtained from 15 boys and 15 girls (14-18 years old), during a series of role plays, focus group discussions and one-to-one interviews. A questionnaire was administered to 80 pupils (12-20 years old) from the same school. Most of the pupils were sexually active. Sexual relationships between boys and girls were mediated by peers. Boys initiated relationships. Exchange played an important role in the negotiation of sexual relationships. Money or gifts were given and received in exchange for sexual favours and to strengthen the relationship. To maximize gains, some adolescents had sexual relationships with adults. Sexual relationships were characterized by ambiguity. Love is intertwined with sexual desire, money and prestige. Girls have to be explicit enough to get a good deal; if they are too explicit they will be stigmatized as 'loose' but if they are not interested in money they may be suspected of wanting to spread HIV. Boys try to persuade girls that they have money, but do not want to emphasize this too much. In sexual negotiations a boy must persuade a girl that although he is modern and sophisticated (i.e. experienced) he does not chase after every girl; the girl does not want to come over as an unsophisticated virgin, but does not want to give the impression that she is loose either. There is a tension between the traditional ideal of female chastity and submissiveness and the modern image of sexual freedom. Multiple partnerships were highly valued as a sign of sophistication. Condoms were not considered important. Interventions aimed at reducing the spread of HIV do not seem to be having an effect on the behaviour of this group of adolescents. On the contrary, risky attitudes and behaviour are part of an adolescent ideal of modernity and sophistication. New approaches are needed to persuade this group of the need for change. Shifting the source of interventions from adults to the adolescents themselves, encouraging girls to try other means of earning money and debunking the idea that having many partners is sophisticated may be productive alternatives.
Treatment with insulin glargine reduces asymptomatic hypoglycemia detected by continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Objective: Unsatisfactory basal insulin substitution may lead to asymptomatic hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). To investigate the effects of multiple daily injections before and after changing to insulin glargine (IG), continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) data were used to analyze glycemic control and hypoglycemic episodes during the two different therapy regimens.
The -174G/C variant of IL6 as risk factor for mortality and technique failure in a large cohort of peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Functional variants in the IL6 gene, in particular the -174G/C polymorphism (rs1800795), affect the mortality risk in dialysis patients. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients harbouring the C allele of the -174G/C polymorphism of IL6 showed faster peritoneal transport. The aim of this study was to investigate this IL6 variant as risk factor for mortality and technique failure in a large cohort of Caucasian PD patients. METHODS A Dutch multicentre cohort of 398 incident PD patients (NECOSAD) was analysed. Survival analysis was performed for death and technique failure with a maximum follow-up of 5 years. A combined PD cohort from Amsterdam (Academic Medical Center, N = 71) and Brussels (Université catholique de Louvain Medical School, N = 102) was used for independent replication. RESULTS In NECOSAD, 105 patients died on dialysis [incidence rate 10.3/100 person-years (py)], and 138 patients experienced technique failure (16.2/100 py), with peritonitis as important cause. Patients with the C/C genotype had a 71% increased mortality risk compared to patients with the G/G genotype (95% confidence interval 0.98-2.98); this effect was mainly a long-term effect: a 2.7-fold increased mortality risk was found in patients having survived 2 years since the start on dialysis, and a 1.7-fold increased risk for the combined end point (mortality or technique failure). In the combined replication cohort, no increased risks were found in patients with the C/C genotype. CONCLUSIONS The C/C genotype of the -174G/C polymorphism was associated with an increased mortality risk in 398 Dutch incident PD patients. The existence of substantial differences between the two academic replication cohorts and the discovery cohort from NECOSAD and the limited power of these cohorts prevented an independent replication of the NECOSAD findings.
The aetiology of spinal deformity in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: influence of genetic factors on the frequency and severity in freshwater stages.

A radiographic study was carried out on 2-year groups of pre-smolt parr to detect the comparative frequency of vertebral change in a range of defined pedigreed families of high growth rate of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , reared under identical conditions. The observed frequency of deformity was related to the observed deformity level in the seawater parental generation, and to a potentially uncontrolled environmental determinant, i.e. stripping date. High and low parental deformity groups of families were found to produce offspring that had very similar levels of radiographically detectable spinal deformities in the pre-smolt parr, suggesting no genetic link. With regard to stripping date, the overall incidence was nearly half that seen in the preceding year (8.7% cf 16.6%). However, a non-significant trend to fewer radiographic spinal deformities was seen in the later stripping period.
Structural Basis of Mitochondrial Tethering by Mitofusin Complexes

Vesicle fusion involves vesicle tethering, docking, and membrane merger. We show that mitofusin, an integral mitochondrial membrane protein, is required on adjacent mitochondria to mediate fusion, which indicates that mitofusin complexes act in trans (that is, between adjacent mitochondria). A heptad repeat region (HR2) mediates mitofusin oligomerization by assembling a dimeric, antiparallel coiled coil. The transmembrane segments are located at opposite ends of the 95 angstrom coiled coil and provide a mechanism for organelle tethering. Consistent with this proposal, truncated mitofusin, in an HR2-dependent manner, causes mitochondria to become apposed with a uniform gap. Our results suggest that HR2 functions as a mitochondrial tether before fusion.