Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ConQuer: efficient management of inconsistent databases

Although integrity constraints have long been used to maintain data consistency, there are situations in which they may not be enforced or satisfied. In this paper, we present ConQuer, a system for efficient and scalable answering of SQL queries on databases that may violate a set of constraints. ConQuer permits users to postulate a set of key constraints together with their queries. The system rewrites the queries to retrieve all (and only) data that is consistent with respect to the constraints. The rewriting is into SQL, so the rewritten queries can be efficiently optimized and executed by commercial database systems.We study the overhead of resolving inconsistencies dynamically (at query time). In particular, we present a set of performance experiments that compare the efficiency of the rewriting strategies used by ConQuer. The experiments use queries taken from the TPC-H workload. We show that the overhead is not onerous, and the consistent query answers can often be computed within twice the time required to obtain the answers to the original (non-rewritten) query.
Imaging , Diagnosis , Prognosis Serial Diffusion MRI to Monitor and Model Treatment Response of the Targeted Nanotherapy CRLX 101

Purpose: Targeted nanotherapies are being developed to improve tumor drug delivery and enhance therapeutic response. Techniques that can predict response will facilitate clinical translation and may help define optimal treatment strategies. We evaluated the efficacy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging tomonitor early response to CRLX101 (a cyclodextrin-based polymer particle containing the DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin) nanotherapy (formerly IT-101), and explored its potential as a therapeutic response predictor using a mechanistic model of tumor cell proliferation. Experimental Design: Diffusion MRI was serially conducted following CRLX101 administration in a mouse lymphoma model. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) extracted from the data were used as treatment response biomarkers. Animals treated with irinotecan (CPT-11) and saline were imaged for comparison. ADC data were also input into a mathematical model of tumor growth. Histological analysis using cleaved-caspase 3, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labeling, Ki-67, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) were conducted on tumor samples for correlation with imaging results. Results: CRLX101-treated tumors at day 2, 4, and 7 posttreatment exhibited changes inmean ADC1⁄4 16 9%, 24 10%, 49 17%, and size (TV) 1⁄4 5 3%, 30 4%, and 45 13%, respectively. Both parameters were statistically greater than controls [p(ADC) 0.02, and p(TV) 0.01 at day 4 and 7], and noticeably greater than CPT-11–treated tumors (ADC1⁄4 5 5%, 14 7%, and 18 6%; TV1⁄4 15 5%, 22 13%, and 26 8%). Model-derived parameters for cell proliferation obtained using ADC data distinguished CRLX101-treated tumors from controls (P 1⁄4 0.02). Conclusions: Temporal changes in ADC specified early CRLX101 treatment response and could be used to model image-derived cell proliferation rates following treatment. Comparisons of targeted and nontargeted treatments highlight the utility of noninvasive imaging and modeling to evaluate, monitor, and predict responses to targeted nanotherapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 19(9); 2518–27. 2013 AACR.
Exploring Universal Patterns in Human Home-Work Commuting from Mobile Phone Data

Home-work commuting has always attracted significant research attention because of its impact on human mobility. One of the key assumptions in this domain of study is the universal uniformity of commute times. However, a true comparison of commute patterns has often been hindered by the intrinsic differences in data collection methods, which make observation from different countries potentially biased and unreliable. In the present work, we approach this problem through the use of mobile phone call detail records (CDRs), which offers a consistent method for investigating mobility patterns in wholly different parts of the world. We apply our analysis to a broad range of datasets, at both the country (Portugal, Ivory Coast, and Saudi Arabia), and city (Boston) scale. Additionally, we compare these results with those obtained from vehicle GPS traces in Milan. While different regions have some unique commute time characteristics, we show that the home-work time distributions and average values within a single region are indeed largely independent of commute distance or country (Portugal, Ivory Coast, and Boston)–despite substantial spatial and infrastructural differences. Furthermore, our comparative analysis demonstrates that such distance-independence holds true only if we consider multimodal commute behaviors–as consistent with previous studies. In car-only (Milan GPS traces) and car-heavy (Saudi Arabia) commute datasets, we see that commute time is indeed influenced by commute distance. Finally, we put forth a testable hypothesis and suggest ways for future work to make more accurate and generalizable statements about human commute behaviors.
The Poly(A)-Binding Protein and an mRNA Stability Protein Jointly Regulate an Endoribonuclease Activity

ABSTRACT We previously identified a sequence-specific erythroid cell-enriched endoribonuclease (ErEN) activity involved in the turnover of the stable α-globin mRNA. We now demonstrate that ErEN activity is regulated by the poly(A) tail. The unadenylated α-globin 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) was an efficient substrate for ErEN cleavage, while the polyadenylated 3′UTR was inefficiently cleaved in an in vitro decay assay. The influence of the poly(A) tail was mediated through the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) bound to the poly(A) tail, which can inhibit ErEN activity. ErEN cleavage of an adenylated α-globin 3′UTR was accentuated upon depletion of PABP from the cytosolic extract, while addition of recombinant PABP reestablished the inhibition of endoribonuclease cleavage. PABP inhibited ErEN activity indirectly through an interaction with the αCP mRNA stability protein. Sequestration of αCP resulted in an increase of ErEN cleavage activity, regardless of the polyadenylation state of the RNA. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, PABP was shown to enhance the binding efficiency of αCP to the α-globin 3′UTR, which in turn protected the ErEN target sequence. Conversely, the binding of PABP to the poly(A) tail was also augmented by αCP, implying that a stable higher-order structural network is involved in stabilization of the α-globin mRNA. Upon deadenylation, the interaction of PABP with αCP would be disrupted, rendering the α-globin 3′UTR more susceptible to endoribonuclease cleavage. The data demonstrated a specific role for PABP in protecting the body of an mRNA in addition to demonstrating PABP's well-characterized effect of stabilizing the poly(A) tail.
Effects of “Face” Consciousness on Status Consumption among Chinese Consumers: Perceived Social Value as a Mediator

Chinese consumers are interested in status consumption, i.e., in striving to enhance their social standings through the consumption of luxury products. This study investigates how face consciousness, one's social self-esteem, and desire to be respected influences status consumption behavior in China. The Consciousness of Social Face Scale, the Social Value Scale, and the Status Consumption Scale were administered to 192 MBA students from a university in east China (117 men, 69 women, 6 unreported sex). The results revealed that face consciousness was positively related to Chinese consumers' status consumption. Moreover, the results showed that the effects of face consciousness on status consumption were partly mediated by consumer social value. The findings highlight the importance of face consciousness in understanding Chinese consumer behaviors.
Identification of Genetic Evidence for Dobrava Virus Spillover in Rodents by Nested Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR and TaqMan RT-PCR

ABSTRACT A survey of 158 rodents caught in the Czech Republic identified Dobrava virus sequences closely related to that of the Dobrava virus type strain in Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus musculus rodents. The identity of A. sylvaticus was unequivocally confirmed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. The data seem to indicate hantavirus spillover from Apodemus flavicollis to other rodents.
Copyright 2009 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. All rights reserved. 10.1518/107118109X12524441081226

Camera guided teleoperation has long been the preferred mode for controlling remote robots with other modes such as asynchronous control only used when unavoidable. Because controlling multiple robots places additional demands on the operator we hypothesized that removing the forced pace for reviewing camera video might reduce workload and improve performance. In an earlier experiment participants operated four teams performing a simulated urban search and rescue (USAR) task using a conventional streaming video plus map interface or an experimental interface without streaming video but with the ability to store panoramic images on the map to be viewed at leisure. Search performance was somewhat better using the conventional interface; however, ancillary measures suggested that the asynchronous interface succeeded in reducing temporal demands for switching between robots. This raised the possibility that the asynchronous interface might perform better if teams were larger. In this experiment we evaluate the usefulness of asynchronous video for teams of 4, 8, or 12 robots. As in our earlier study we found a slight advantage in accuracy in marking victim locations for streaming video but overall performance was very similar.
An End-to-End System for Unconstrained Face Verification with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

In this paper, we present an end-to-end system for the unconstrained face verification problem based on deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN). The end-to-end system consists of three modules for face detection, alignment and verification and is evaluated using the newly released IARPA Janus Benchmark A (IJB-A) dataset and its extended version Janus Challenging set 2 (JANUS CS2) dataset. The IJB-A and CS2 datasets include real-world unconstrained faces of 500 subjects with significant pose and illumination variations which are much harder than the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) and Youtube Face (YTF) datasets. Results of experimental evaluations for the proposed system on the IJB-A dataset are provided.
Wall enhancement ratio and partial wall enhancement on MRI associated with the rupture of intracranial aneurysms

Objectives To evaluate the risk factors for rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) using high resolution MRI (HRMRI). Methods 91 consecutive patients with 106 IAs were reviewed from February 2016 to April 2017. Patients and IAs were divided into ruptured and unruptured groups. In addition to the clinical characteristics of the patients, the features of IAs (eg, shape) were evaluated by CT angiography, whereas wall thickness, enhanced patterns, and enhancement ratio (ER) were evaluated by MRI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors associated with the rupture of IAs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed on the final model, and the optimal thresholds were obtained. Results ER (OR 6.638) and partial wall enhancement (PWE) (OR 6.710) were not markers of aneurysms more prone to rupture, but simply were more commonly found in the ruptured aneurysm cohort. The threshold value for ER was 61.5%. Conclusions ER (≥61.5%) and IAs with PWE are better predictors of rupture. Increased attentions should be paid to these factors during assessment of IA rupture.
To Treat or Not to Treat M2 Occlusions? The Question (and Answer) From a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND Occlusions of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery may cause significant clinical effects, especially when occurring in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, yet endovascular treatment of these lesions remains controversial. OBJECTIVE To examine the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of M2 occlusions at our institution. METHODS We retrospectively examined radiographic and clinical data of 53 patients presenting with M2 occlusions to our institution. RESULTS Successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grade 2b or 3) was achieved in 40 patients (76.9%). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred. The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at discharge was 6.4 (median, 5.5). In the 38 patients who had follow-up after discharge, the mean follow-up duration was 11.1 months (range, 0.5-36.5 months) and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 3.5 (median, 1). CONCLUSION The results of our single-institution experience suggest that endovascular therapy for M2 occlusions is safe and effective. Additional evaluation with randomized, controlled studies is warranted. ABBREVIATIONS ADAPT, direct aspiration first-pass techniqueECASS, European-Australasian Cooperative Acute Stroke StudyICH, intracranial hemorrhageIMS, Interventional Management of StrokeMERCI, Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral IschemiamRS, modified Rankin ScaleNIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke ScalePROACT, Prolyse in Acute Cerebral ThromboembolismTICI, Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarctiont-PA, tissue-type plasminogen activator.
Naturalized Escherichia coli from New Zealand wetland and stream environments.

This research investigates the presence of a naturalized clade of Escherichia coli in wetland and stream biofilms. Escherichia coli is used as a faecal indicator in water quality monitoring programmes worldwide, with the assumption that this bacterium is exclusively a commensal of the vertebrate gut. However, recent findings indicate growth and multiplication of E. coli in water and soils. This study seeks to clarify the relationships between environmental and commensal E. coli strains retrieved from New Zealand streams by evaluating fundamental genetic differences using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. Environmental and commensal strains showed a high diversity of MLST profiles. Genetic analyses of linkage disequilibrium, index of association and rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions were used to investigate sequence variability and nature of change. Phylogenetic trees based on the concatenated sequences of the seven MLST housekeeping genes displayed distinct clustering of environmental strains. Comparison of the New Zealand sequences with worldwide E. coli strains retrieved from the Shigatox MLST database online did not allow the identification of a clear environmental genotype. However, some New Zealand aquatic E. coli isolates showed close relationships with strains from human and bovine origins, suggesting that environmental isolates were originally derived from subpopulations of commensal E. coli from these sources.
Concerns, Satisfaction, and Retention of Canadian Community Health Nurses

This study of Canadian community health nurses (N = 1,044) compared the work-related concerns, job satisfaction, and factors influencing the retention of public health, home care, and community care access center (CCAC) nurses. Community health nurses identified similar work-related issues as being of greatest concern to them, but there were significant differences among the 3 groups of nurses in the magnitude of these concerns. There were also significant differences among the 3 groups for satisfaction with their jobs and their immediate supervisors, with CCAC nurses being the least satisfied except for the greater dissatisfaction of home care nurses with their pay and benefits. For the retention factors, the differences were primarily in the areas of job features and supportive work relationships. There are both similarities and differences among public health, home care, and CCAC nurses. Initiatives to address community health nurses' concerns, improve their job satisfaction, and increase their retention will require interventions tailored to the specific community health care setting.
Gastroprotective activity of Annona muricata leaves against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats via Hsp70/Bax involvement

The popular fruit tree of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), known as soursop and graviola, is a widely distributed plant in Central and South America and tropical countries. Leaves of A. muricata have been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the gastroprotective effects of ethyl acetate extract of A. muricata leaves (EEAM) were investigated against ethanol-induced gastric injury models in rats. The acute toxicity test of EEAM in rats, carried out in two doses of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg, showed the safety of this plant, even at the highest dose of 2 g/kg. The antiulcer study in rats (five groups, n=6) was performed with two doses of EEAM (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and with omeprazole (20 mg/kg), as a standard antiulcer drug. Gross and histological features showed the antiulcerogenic characterizations of EEAM. There was significant suppression on the ulcer lesion index of rats pretreated with EEAM, which was comparable to the omeprazole effect in the omeprazole control group. Oral administration of EEAM to rats caused a significant increase in the level of nitric oxide and antioxidant activities, including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase associated with attenuation in gastric acidity, and compensatory effect on the loss of gastric wall mucus. In addition, pretreatment of rats with EEAM caused significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde, as a marker for oxidative stress, associated with an increase in prostaglandin E2 activity. Immunohistochemical staining also demonstrated that EEAM induced the downregulation of Bax and upregulation of Hsp70 proteins after pretreatment. Collectively, the present results suggest that EEAM has a promising antiulcer potential, which could be attributed to its suppressive effect against oxidative damage and preservative effect toward gastric wall mucus.
Traffic-Responsive Linked Ramp-Metering Control

A new traffic-responsive ramp-metering strategy is presented that coordinates local ramp-metering actions, thus enabling the linked control of the inflow from two (or more) consecutive on-ramps to the freeway mainstream. The proposed linked ramp-metering scheme is simple and utterly reactive, i.e., based on readily available real-time measurements without any need for real-time model calculations or external disturbance prediction. The well-known feedback strategy, known as Asservissement LINeaire d'Entree Autoroutiere (ALINEA), is used at a local level. Simulation results are presented for a hypothetical freeway axis with two successive on-ramps. Some pitfalls and misapplications of the local ramp metering are also illustrated via appropriately designed simulation scenarios. The proposed linked strategy is demonstrated to outperform the uncoordinated local ramp metering and, thus, to increase the achievable control benefit over the no-control case. In fact, the new strategy is shown to reach the efficiency of sophisticated proactive optimal control schemes.
Ex-vivo area-metric analysis of root canal obturation using gutta-percha cones of different taper.

AIM To evaluate the percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled canal area when four different types of master gutta-percha cones were used. METHODOLOGY Sixty mandibular premolars with straight canals were instrumented using System ProTaper rotary instruments with a crown-down technique and assigned to four groups. Canals were obturated with AH-26 sealer either using lateral condensation and 0.02 taper gutta-percha cones (group A), 0.04 taper gutta-percha cones (group B), nonstandardized F- medium (group C) master gutta-percha cones, or a single System ProTaper gutta-percha cone (group D). The percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled area was calculated in horizontal sections of the apical portion of each canal, using image analysis software. The data was statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS The distribution of filling materials amongst groups was not significantly different at each level of sectioning (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled canal area was similar when canals were filled with different master cones using lateral condensation or single cone techniques.
Fibroproliferation and mast cells in the acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND Mast cells (MCs), which are a major source of cytokines and growth factors, have been implicated in various fibrotic disorders. To clarify the contribution of MCs to fibrogenesis, lung tissue from patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was examined during exudative through to fibroproliferative stages. METHODS Lung tissue was obtained from 17 patients with ARDS who had pathological features of the early exudative stage (n = 6) or the later reparative stages (n = 11), from four patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and from three patients with normal lung tissue. Immunohistochemical localisation of tryptase (found in all human MCs), chymase (found in a subset of human MCs), α-smooth muscle actin (identifies myofibroblasts), and procollagen type I was performed. RESULTS Normal lung tissue exhibited myofibroblast and procollagen type I immunolocalisation scores each of <5 and MC scores of 1. Increased scores were defined as myofibroblast and procollagen type I scores of >10 and MC scores of ⩾2. Eighty percent of lung tissue samples from the early exudative stage of ARDS exhibited increased numbers of myofibroblasts, 50% had increased numbers of procollagen type I producing cells, while only 17% had increased numbers of MCs compared with control samples. All samples from the later reparative stages of ARDS had increased numbers of myofibroblasts and procollagen type I producing cells. Increased numbers of MCs were seen in 55% of samples from the reparative stages. There was no significant shift in MC phenotype in the ARDS samples. CONCLUSIONS Increased numbers of myofibroblasts and procollagen type I producing cells were frequently found early in the course of ARDS. MC hyperplasia was unusual during this stage, but was often a feature of the later reparative stages. MCs do not appear to initiate fibroproliferation in ARDS.
Intravitreal Bevacizumab Alone versus Combined with Macular Photocoagulation in Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose To compare the efficacy between intravitreal bevacizumab and combination treatment (bevacizumab and macular photocoagulation) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). In addtion, changes of DME type were researched using optical coherence tomography. Methods The present study included 90 eyes with bevacizumab injection and 38 eyes with combination treatment. Using chart records, patients were reviewed until 6 months after treatment. The present study compared changes of visual acuity (VA) and macular thickness at each follow up. DME was classified into 4 types and the morphologic pattern was compared. Results In patients with the bevacizumab injection only, VA improved from 0.29 ± 0.18 to 0.48 ± 0.26 at 1 month and returned to 0.32 ± 0.20 at 6 months after treatment. In the combination treatment, VA improved from 0.32 ± 0.22 to 0.52 ± 0.26 at 1 month and returned to 0.36 ± 0.18 at 6 months after treatment. There was no significant improvement of VA at the final follow-up with either treatment. There was significant decrease of macular thickness except in the mixed DME type. Conclusions The combination treatment did not yield better VA or macular thickness reduction at 6 months than bevacizumab injection alone. By classifying and observing the change of DME type, determining the treatment objectively and predicting the effectiveness of treatment can be helpful.