Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Metabolomics Implicates Modified Transfer RNAs and Altered Bioenergetics in the Outcomes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a heterogeneous disorder with high mortality. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive study of plasma metabolites using ultraperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to identify patients at high risk of early death, to identify patients who respond well to treatment, and to provide novel molecular insights into disease pathogenesis. Results: Fifty-three circulating metabolites distinguished well-phenotyped patients with idiopathic or heritable PAH (n=365) from healthy control subjects (n=121) after correction for multiple testing (P<7.3e-5) and confounding factors, including drug therapy, and renal and hepatic impairment. A subset of 20 of 53 metabolites also discriminated patients with PAH from disease control subjects (symptomatic patients without pulmonary hypertension, n=139). Sixty-two metabolites were prognostic in PAH, with 36 of 62 independent of established prognostic markers. Increased levels of tRNA-specific modified nucleosides (N2,N2-dimethylguanosine, N1-methylinosine), tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (malate, fumarate), glutamate, fatty acid acylcarnitines, tryptophan, and polyamine metabolites and decreased levels of steroids, sphingomyelins, and phosphatidylcholines distinguished patients from control subjects. The largest differences correlated with increased risk of death, and correction of several metabolites over time was associated with a better outcome. Patients who responded to calcium channel blocker therapy had metabolic profiles similar to those of healthy control subjects. Conclusions: Metabolic profiles in PAH are strongly related to survival and should be considered part of the deep phenotypic characterization of this disease. Our results support the investigation of targeted therapeutic strategies that seek to address the alterations in translational regulation and energy metabolism that characterize these patients.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation for tinnitus : No better than sham treatment ?

1663 COMT Val158Met genotype influences neurodegeneration within dopamine-innervated brain structures E.D. Gennatas, J.A. Cholfin, J. Zhou, R.K. Crawford, D.A. Sasaki, A. Karydas, A.L. Boxer, S.J. Bonasera, K.P. Rankin, M.L. Gorno-Tempini, H.J. Rosen, J.H. Kramer, M. Weiner, B.L. Miller, and W.W. Seeley 1670 Primary progressive aphasia: A tale of two syndromes and the rest S.A. Sajjadi, K. Patterson, R.J. Arnold, P.C. Watson, and P.J. Nestor
An Investigation on the Metalinguistic Competence of Indonesian Students in Acquiring the English Tense-Aspect System

This study addresses how well Indonesian second language learners of English apply the English tense-aspect system. Further, the present study attempts to investigate and better understand the process of making sense of the English tenses and aspects the students have applied in their academic writing. Thus, error analysis procedure is employed to see whether the students have applied correct tenses and aspects in a relevant context. Subsequently, quantitative analysis was conducted involving sixteen pieces of the student writings. Employing the procedure of Error Analysis (Corder, 1981), this study focuses on the covert errors that the students frequently made, which allow in-depth investigation beyond the grammatical errors. Additionally, to see a pedagogical implication of this research, a correlation between the number of errors and the score obtained from the writings were also investigated. The results revealed that the students’ attitude toward the use of tenses and aspects in an academic context is considerably low. It was frequently found that the students employed a particular tense and aspect in an irrelevant context. Also, a weak correlation between the two variables measured, the number of errors and scores, was revealed. Keyword: Academic Writing, English tense-aspect system, Error Analysis, Covert Error
Abundance and distribution of gaseous ammonia and particulate ammonium at Delhi, India

Abstract. This study reports abundance and distribution of gaseous NH3 and particulate NH4p at Delhi. Gaseous NH3 and particulate NH4p concentrations were measured during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of the years 2010 and 2011. Average concentrations of gaseous NH3 during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons were recorded as 26.4, 33.2 and 32.5 μg m−3, respectively. Gaseous NH3 concentrations were the highest during monsoon, thought to be due to decay and decomposition of plants and other biogenic material under wet conditions, leading to increased NH3 emission. The results showed that particulate NH4p was always lower than the gaseous NH3 during all the seasons. The concentrations of particulate NH4p were recorded as 11.6, 22.9 and 8.5 μg m−3 during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The percent fraction of particulate NH4p was noticed to be highest during the monsoon season, which is attributed to increased humidity levels favouring partitioning into the aerosol phase. On an average, 33.3% of total N-NHx was present as particulate NH4p. Higher concentrations of NH3 noticed during night time may be due to stable atmospheric conditions. The study highlighted that, as compared with rural sites, urban sites showed higher concentrations of gaseous NH3 in India, which may be due to higher population density, human activities and poor sanitation arrangements.
Towards High-Level Probabilistic Reasoning with Lifted Inference

High-level representations of uncertainty, such as probabilistic logics and programs, have been around for decades. Lifted inference was initially motivated by the need to make reasoning algorithms high-level as well. While the lifted inference community focused on machine learning applications, the high-level reasoning goal has received less attention recently. We revisit the idea and look at the capabilities of the latest techniques in lifted inference. This lets us conclude that lifted inference is strictly more powerful than propositional inference on high-level reasoning tasks.
Lessons from three years of inspection data (software development)

The implementation of an inspection program as part of a standard development process for an operating system at Bull HN Information Systems Major Systems Division is reviewed. The methods used to collect and analyze the data and provide feedback to the development staff are described. The data are examined from the point of view of the entire organization and as they apply in individual case studies of particular project types. <<ETX>>
Cholesterol removal from adult skeletal muscle impairs excitation–contraction coupling and aging reduces caveolin-3 and alters the expression of other triadic proteins

Cholesterol and caveolin are integral membrane components that modulate the function/location of many cellular proteins. Skeletal muscle fibers, which have unusually high cholesterol levels in transverse tubules, express the caveolin-3 isoform but its association with transverse tubules remains contentious. Cholesterol removal impairs excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling in amphibian and mammalian fetal skeletal muscle fibers. Here, we show that treating single muscle fibers from adult mice with the cholesterol removing agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin decreased fiber cholesterol by 26%, altered the location pattern of caveolin-3 and of the voltage dependent calcium channel Cav1.1, and suppressed or reduced electrically evoked Ca2+ transients without affecting membrane integrity or causing sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium depletion. We found that transverse tubules from adult muscle and triad fractions that contain ~10% attached transverse tubules, but not SR membranes, contained caveolin-3 and Cav1.1; both proteins partitioned into detergent-resistant membrane fractions highly enriched in cholesterol. Aging entails significant deterioration of skeletal muscle function. We found that triad fractions from aged rats had similar cholesterol and RyR1 protein levels compared to triads from young rats, but had lower caveolin-3 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and increased Na+/K+-ATPase protein levels. Both triad fractions had comparable NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity and protein content of NOX2 subunits (p47phox and gp91phox), implying that NOX activity does not increase during aging. These findings show that partial cholesterol removal impairs E–C coupling and alters caveolin-3 and Cav1.1 location pattern, and that aging reduces caveolin-3 protein content and modifies the expression of other triadic proteins. We discuss the possible implications of these findings for skeletal muscle function in young and aged animals.
Comparison of Cajal-like cells in pelvis and proximal ureter of kidney with and without hydronephrosis

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate effects of Cajal-like cells on human renal pelvis and proximal ureter on peristalsis. Materials and Methods: 63 patients submitted to nephrectomy due to atrophic non-functional kidney associated with hydroureteronephrosis were included as study group and 30 cases with nephrectomy due to other reasons were included as control group. Samples from renal pelvis and proximal ureters were obtained and sections of 5μ form paraffin blocks of these samples were prepared; layers of lamina propria and muscularis mucosa were examined by immune-histochemistry using CD117 in order to determine count and distribution of Cajal-like cells. Results: During immune-histochemical examinations of sections, obtained from renal pelvis and proximal ureter of hydronephrotic kidneys by CD117, Cajal-like cells number determined in lamina propria and muscularis propria was statistically significantly lower compared to control group (p<0.001). Distribution of Cajal-like cells in renal pelvis and proximal tubulus was similar under examination by light microscope, and also both groups were not different from each other regarding staining intensity of Cajal-like cells by c-kit. Conclusion: Significantly reduced number of Cajal-like cells in study group compared to control group, shows that these cells may have a key role in regulation of peristalsis at level of renal pelvis and proximal ureter in urinary system.
Torque Performance of Optimally Designed Six-PhaseReluctance DC Machine

In this paper the principle, basic torque theory and design optimisation of a six-phase reluctance dc machine are considered. A trapezoidal phase current waveform for the machine drive is proposed and evaluated to minimise ripple torque. Low cost normal laminated salient-pole rotors with and without slits and chamfered poles are investigated. The six-phase machine is optimised in multi-dimensions by linking the finite-element analysis method directly with an optimisation algorithm; the objective function is to maximise the torque per copper losses of the machine. The armature reaction effect is investigated in detail and found to be severe. The measured and calculated torque performances of a 35 kW optimum designed six-phase reluctance dc machine drive are presented
Hiv/aids – Research and Palliative Care Dovepress Serum Selenium and Skin Diseases among Nigerians with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Background: The role of selenium as an antioxidant micronutrient has garnered the unprecedented focus of researchers in recent times. No clinical study has related serum selenium concentration to skin diseases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunode-ficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Methods: In this study, 134 newly diagnosed HIV patients that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. Skin diseases were clinically diagnosed and fasting venous blood was taken for assessment of serum selenium using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The mean age of HIV subjects with and without skin disease were not significantly differ-for HIV/AIDS participants with skin disease than those without skin disease. We found significant clustering of symptoms and signs: fever (P = 0.037), weight loss (P = 0.009), oral candidiasis (P = 0.038), pallor (P = 0.037) among HIV/AIDS subjects with skin diseases than those without. Low serum selenium concentration was significantly associated with primary skin disease of HIV/AIDS, such as pruritic papular eruption of AIDS (P = 0.003), xeroderma (P = 0.030), fluffy hair (P = 0.021), blue-black nail hyperpigmentation (P = 0.033) and secondary skin disease, such as oral candidiasis (P = 0.002). There was a significant association between low serum selenium concentration and increasing frequency of skin diseases (P = 0.002), but serum selenium was not significantly related to extents of distribution of skin diseases (P. 0.05). Conclusion: serum selenium concentration was lower among HIV subjects with skin diseases than those without skin disease. Pruritic papular eruption, xeroderma, fluffy hair, blue-black nail hyper pigmentation, and oral candidiasis were significantly associated with low serum selenium concentration.
Image Forgery Localization via Block-Grained Analysis of JPEG Artifacts

In this paper, we propose a forensic algorithm to discriminate between original and forged regions in JPEG images, under the hypothesis that the tampered image presents a double JPEG compression, either aligned (A-DJPG) or nonaligned (NA-DJPG). Unlike previous approaches, the proposed algorithm does not need to manually select a suspect region in order to test the presence or the absence of double compression artifacts. Based on an improved and unified statistical model characterizing the artifacts that appear in the presence of both A-DJPG or NA-DJPG, the proposed algorithm automatically computes a likelihood map indicating the probability for each 8 × 8 discrete cosine transform block of being doubly compressed. The validity of the proposed approach has been assessed by evaluating the performance of a detector based on thresholding the likelihood map, considering different forensic scenarios. The effectiveness of the proposed method is also confirmed by tests carried on realistic tampered images. An interesting property of the proposed Bayesian approach is that it can be easily extended to work with traces left by other kinds of processing.
THEORIES OF VAGUENESS AND THEORIES OF LAW

ABSTRACT It is common to think that what theory of linguistic vagueness is correct has implications for debates in philosophy of law. I disagree. I argue that the implications of particular theories of vagueness on substantive issues of legal theory and practice are less far-reaching than often thought. I focus on four putative implications discussed in the literature concerning (i) the value of vagueness in the law, (ii) the possibility and value of legal indeterminacy, (iii) the possibility of the rule of law, and (iv) strong discretion. I conclude with some methodological remarks. Delineating questions about conventional meaning, legal content determination, and norms of legal interpretation and judicial practice can motivate clearer answers and a more refined understanding of the space of overall theories of vagueness, interpretation, and law.
Human Cystic Echinococcosis in West Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran: A Retrospective Hospital Based Survey from 2000 To 2009

Background The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in west Azerbaijan, Iran during a 10 year period (2000-2009). Methods We surveyed medical records of infected patients with hydatid cyst who had been operated in four hospitals in Urmia City, the capital of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Several parameters were analyzed including age, sex, place of residency, hospitalization time, and the location of cysts. Results Of 294 cases, 53.3% were female and 46.7% were male with the mean age of 39.4 years (5–93). The average number of operated cysts per year was 29.4 (0.98/100,000 of population). The most affected age group was 20-30 year olds (18.7% of the cases). Cysts were localized in liver and lung in 57.5% and 21.8% of cases respectively and the average hospitalization time was 9 days. Single organ involvement was seen in the majority of patients and 28 (9.5%) cases had multiple involvement. The distribution of residence in patients showed 108 (36.9%) of them to have urban origin and 185 (63.1%) were rural residents. The lowest number (n = 17) and the highest number of operation (n= 48) recorded in 2000 and 2007, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of hydatidosis is high in this city and further studies are needed for evaluation of economic burden and risk factors for CE in this region.
SNAREs Interact with Retinal Degeneration Slow and Rod Outer Segment Membrane Protein-1 during Conventional and Unconventional Outer Segment Targeting

Mutations in the photoreceptor protein peripherin-2 (also known as RDS) cause severe retinal degeneration. RDS and its homolog ROM-1 (rod outer segment protein 1) are synthesized in the inner segment and then trafficked into the outer segment where they function in tetramers and covalently linked larger complexes. Our goal is to identify binding partners of RDS and ROM-1 that may be involved in their biosynthetic pathway or in their function in the photoreceptor outer segment (OS). Here we utilize several methods including mass spectrometry after affinity purification, in vitro co-expression followed by pull-down, in vivo pull-down from mouse retinas, and proximity ligation assay to identify and confirm the SNARE proteins Syntaxin 3B and SNAP-25 as novel binding partners of RDS and ROM-1. We show that both covalently linked and non-covalently linked RDS complexes interact with Syntaxin 3B. RDS in the mouse is trafficked from the inner segment to the outer segment by both conventional (i.e., Golgi dependent) and unconventional secretory pathways, and RDS from both pathways interacts with Syntaxin3B. Syntaxin 3B and SNAP-25 are enriched in the inner segment (compared to the outer segment) suggesting that the interaction with RDS/ROM-1 occurs in the inner segment. Syntaxin 3B and SNAP-25 are involved in mediating fusion of vesicles carrying other outer segment proteins during outer segment targeting, so could be involved in the trafficking of RDS/ROM-1.
The growth of baryonic structure in the presence of cosmological magnetic pressure

We follow the growth of baryonic structure in the presence of a magnetic field within an approximate cosmological magnetohydrodynamic simulation, produced by adding an (isotropic) magnetic pressure related to the local gas pressure. We perform an ensemble of these simulations to follow the amplification of the field with time. By using a variety of initial field strengths and changing the slope of the power law that governs the way the field grows with increasing density, we span the range of current observations and demonstrate the size of the effect realistic magnetic fields could have on the central density of groups and clusters. A strong magnetic field significantly reduces the central gas density which, in turn, reduces observable quantities such as the X-ray luminosity.
Comparative Age Management: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Implications

has emerged as a major and urgent issue for individuals, organisations and governments of our time. In this well-timed and comprehensive handbook, key international contributors to the field of study come together to create a definitive map of the subject. Framed by an authoritative introductory chapter, the SAGE Handbook of Aging, Work and Society offers a critical overview of the most significant themes and topics, with discussions of current research, theoretical controversies and emerging issues, divided into sections covering: -Key Issues and Challenges -The Aging Workforce -Managing an Aging Workforce -Living in an Aging Society -Developing Public Policy
Encouraging participation in virtual communities through usability and sociability development: an empirical investigation

Usability and sociability are two characteristics of a virtual community that are critical to its success. This study aims to explore how usability and sociability of virtual communities can be developed in order to encourage members' continuous participation in these communities. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the effects of factors related to usability and sociability on members' continuous participation through the motivational beliefs of perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment and sense of belonging. Data was collected from members of five popular leisure-oriented virtual communities in China. The results show that both perceived enjoyment and sense of belonging impact members' continuous participation intention. Among the usability-and sociability-related factors, we find that information service quality is the most critical factor that encourages members to continuously participate in virtual communities, while interaction support quality, incentive policy, and event organization also have positive effects on members' continuous participation intention via perceived enjoyment and sense of belonging. Surprisingly, leaders' involvement has no impact on members' continuous participation. Implications of the study's findings for both research and practice are discussed.
Reciprocal Effects of Crime and Incarceration in New York City Neighborhoods

The social concentration of incarceration among non-whites is a recurring theme in criminal justice research and legal scholarship. Despite robust evidence of its social concentration, few studies have examined its spatial concentration, or the effects of spatially concentrated incarceration over time on individuals and social areas. In this article, we examine the growth and spatial concentration of incarceration in police precincts and smaller homogeneous neighborhoods in New York City from 1985-96. We show that rates of incarceration spiked sharply after 1985 as crime rates rose. Higher incarceration rates persisted through the 1990s, and declined far more slowly after 1990 than did the sharply falling crime rates during the same period. We show that imprisonment rates are highest in the City's poorest neighborhoods and police precincts, although not necessarily the neighborhoods with the highest overall crime rates. We also show the perverse effects of incarceration on crime rates when analyzed at the precinct level: across the time series, higher incarceration rates predict higher crime rates one year later. We show that the growth of incarceration and its persistence over time are attributed primarily to two factors: drug enforcement and structured sentencing laws that mandate imprisonment for repeat felons. Neighborhoods with high rates of incarceration invite closer and more punitive police enforcement and parole surveillance, contributing to the growing number of repeat admissions and the resilience of incarceration even as crime rates fall. Incarceration begets more incarceration, and incarceration also begets more crime, which in turn invites more aggressive enforcement, which then re-supplies incarceration. We discuss three mechanisms that contribute to and reinforce incarceration in neighborhoods: the declining economic fortunes of former inmates and the effects on neighborhoods where they tend to reside, resource and relationship strains on families of prisoners that weaken the family's ability to supervise children, and voter disenfranchisement that weakens the political economy of neighborhoods.