Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Searching of optimal vaccination schedules

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are a particular class of evolutionary algorithms that use techniques inspired by evolutionary biology. These are widely used in different areas of bioinformatics. In immunoinformatics, a common optimization problem is the search of optimal vaccination schedules. The problem of defining optimal schedules is particularly acute in cancer immunopreventive approaches, which requires a sequence of vaccine administrations to keep a high level of protective immunity. This paper presents a formalization of the optimization problem and show how a GA search on a model-based approach can be used to deal with the problem.
Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy in Asymptomatic and Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects

Purpose To examine ligamentum flavum thickness using magnetic resonance (MR) images to evaluate its association with low back pain symptoms, age, gender, lumbar level, and disc characteristics. Materials and Methods Sixty-three individuals were part of this IRB-approved study: twenty-seven with chronic low back pain, and thirty-six as asymptomatic. All patients underwent MR imaging and computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine. The MR images at the mid-disc level were captured and enlarged 800% using a bilinear interpolation size conversion algorithm that allowed for enhanced image quality. Ligamentum flavum thickness was assessed using bilateral medial and lateral measurements. Disc height at each level was measured by the least-distance measurement method in three-dimensional models created by CT images taken of the same subject. Analysis of variance and t-tests were carried out to evaluate the relationship between ligamentum flavum thickness and patient variables. Results Ligamentum flavum thickness was found to significantly increase with older age, lower lumbar level, and chronic low back pain (p < 0.03). No difference in ligamentum flavum thickness was observed between right and left sided measurements, or between male and female subjects. Disc height and both ligamentum flavum thickness measurements showed low to moderate correlations that reached significance (p < 0.01). Additionally, a moderate and significant correlation between disc degeneration grade and ligamentum flavum thickness does exist (p <0.001). Conclusion By measuring ligamentum flavum thickness on MR images at two different sites and comparing degrees of disc degeneration, we found that ligamentum flavum thickness may be closely related to the pathogenesis of pain processes in the spine.
“Support for Everyone”: Experiences of Occupational Therapists Delivering a New Model of School-Based Service

Background. Occupational therapists working in school health have recognized the need to move away from a one-to-one direct service delivery model towards a more collaborative, classroom-based approach. Partnering for Change (P4C) is an innovative service delivery model that may enhance school-based collaborative care. Purpose. To capture the experiences of occupational therapists implementing P4C and to elicit their perspectives about how this model differs from the direct service approach. Methods. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven therapists who had delivered P4C in 10 Ontario schools. Thematic analysis was utilized with themes verified through member checking. Findings. Five themes (a year of growth, becoming a community, the key ingredients of P4C, a balancing act, and providing services that make an impact) reflected therapists' personal and professional growth, aspects of the model they believed were key, challenges they encountered, and the impact they felt they had made. Implications. Partnering for Change has the potential to transform school-based occupational therapy and overcome existing barriers to collaboration. This model also may better address the needs of children with motor coordination difficulties.
The call-by-need lambda calculus

We present a calculus that captures the operational semantics of call-by-need. The call-by-need lambda calculus is confluent, has a notion of standard reduction, and entails the same observational equivalence relation as the call-by-name calculus. The system can be formulated with or without explicit let bindings, admits useful notions of marking and developments, and has a straightforward operational interpretation.
Electoral and Policy Consequences of Voter Turnout: Evidence from Compulsory Voting in Australia

Despite extensive research on voting, there is little evidence connecting turnout to tangible outcomes. Would election results and public policy be different if everyone voted? The adoption of compulsory voting in Australia provides a rare opportunity to address this question. First, I collect two novel data sources to assess the extent of turnout inequality in Australia before compulsory voting. Overwhelmingly, wealthy citizens voted more than their working-class counterparts. Next, exploiting the differential adoption of compulsory voting across states, I find that the policy increased voter turnout by 24 percentage points which in turn increased the vote shares and seat shares of the Labor Party by 7–10 percentage points. Finally, comparing across OECD countries, I find that Australia's adoption of compulsory voting significantly increased turnout and pension spending at the national level. Results suggest that democracies with voluntary voting do not represent the preferences of all citizens. Instead, increased voter turnout can dramatically alter election outcomes and resulting public policies.
Phenotypic characterization of X-linked retinoschisis: Clinical, electroretinography, and optical coherence tomography variables

Aims: To study the phenotypic characteristics of X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) and report the clinical, electroretinogram (ERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) variables in Indian eyes. Design: A retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 21 patients with retinoschisis who were genetically confirmed to have RS1 mutation were reviewed. The phenotype characterization included the age of onset, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, fundus findings, OCT, and ERG. Statistical Analysis Used: Data from both the eyes were used for analysis. A P < 0.05 was set as statistical significance. Data were not normally distributed (P < 0.05, Shapiro wilk); hence, nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: All were males whose mean age of presentation was 9 years. Visual acuity was moderately impaired (median 0.6 logMAR, interquartile range: 0.47, 1) in these eyes with a hyperopic refractive error of median +1.75 Ds (interquartile range: +0.50 Ds, +4.25 Ds). About 54.7% of the eyes had both foveal and peripheral schisis, isolated foveal schisis was seen in 28.5% of the eyes, and schisis with retinal detachment was seen in 16.6% of the eyes. The inner nuclear layer was found to be commonly involved in the schisis, followed by outer nuclear and plexiform layers as evident on OCT. On ERG, a- and b-wave amplitudes were significantly reduced in eyes with foveal and peripheral schisis when compared to the eyes with only foveal schisis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: XLRS has phenotypic heterogeneity as evident on OCT, ERG, and clinical findings.
Measurement of self-monitoring web technology acceptance and use in an e-health weight-loss trial.

BACKGROUND Research on technology acceptance and use in e-health weight-loss interventions is limited. Using data from a randomized controlled trial of two e-health interventions, we evaluated the acceptance and use of a self-monitoring Web site for weight loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined eight theoretical constructs about technology acceptance using adapted 5-point Likert scales and the association of measured Web site usage and weight loss. RESULTS All scales had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.74-0.97) in both interventions and at 3 and 15 months (end of intensive and maintenance intervention, respectively). From 3 to 15 months mean scores changed unfavorably for two constructs (compatibility and behavioral intention) among coach-led intervention participants, who received ongoing feedback on their self-monitoring entries. Among self-directed intervention participants, who received minimal coach support, mean scores changed unfavorably for five constructs (usefulness, ease of use, concern, compatibility, and behavioral intention). At 3 months, usefulness, ease of use, effect, compatibility, and behavioral intention in the coach-led group (Pearson r=0.33-0.5) and usefulness and affect in the self-directed group (r=0.43-0.46) were significantly correlated with Web site usage, which was correlated with weight loss (β=-0.02, p≤0.001 for both interventions). From 3 to 15 months, mean score changes for usefulness and behavioral intention correlated significantly with Web site usage in the coach-led group. CONCLUSIONS The adapted acceptance measures showed acceptable psychometric properties and significant associations with actual Web site use, which correlated with weight loss. Better understanding of technology acceptance and use in e-health weight-loss interventions may improve participant adherence and outcome.
Mobilized bone marrow cells repair the infarcted heart, improving function and survival

Attempts to repair myocardial infarcts by transplanting cardiomyocytes or skeletal myoblasts have failed to reconstitute healthy myocardium and coronary vessels integrated structurally and functionally with the remaining viable portion of the ventricular wall. The recently discovered growth and transdifferentiation potential of primitive bone marrow cells (BMC) prompted us, in an earlier study, to inject in the border zone of acute infarcts Lin− c-kitPOS BMC from syngeneic animals. These BMC differentiated into myocytes and vascular structures, ameliorating the function of the infarcted heart. Two critical determinants seem to be required for the transdifferentiation of primitive BMC: tissue damage and a high level of pluripotent cells. On this basis, we hypothesized here that BMC, mobilized by stem cell factor and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, would home to the infarcted region, replicate, differentiate, and ultimately promote myocardial repair. We report that, in the presence of an acute myocardial infarct, cytokine-mediated translocation of BMC resulted in a significant degree of tissue regeneration 27 days later. Cytokine-induced cardiac repair decreased mortality by 68%, infarct size by 40%, cavitary dilation by 26%, and diastolic stress by 70%. Ejection fraction progressively increased and hemodynamics significantly improved as a consequence of the formation of 15 × 106 new myocytes with arterioles and capillaries connected with the circulation of the unaffected ventricle. In conclusion, mobilization of primitive BMC by cytokines might offer a noninvasive therapeutic strategy for the regeneration of the myocardium lost as a result of ischemic heart disease and, perhaps, other forms of cardiac pathology.
Experimental investigation of adhesion between powders and surfaces

The adhesion between two pharmaceutical powders (poly (ethylene glycol) 4000 and Sta‐Rx 1500) and various metal and polymer substrates has been investigated. The powders were either deposited on the substrates with negligible force or forced on by spinning in a centrifuge. The force required to remove the particles was then evaluated by spinning the substrate‐powder samples in a centrifuge and counting the remaining powder after rotation at various spéeds. The median adhesive force between the powders and various substrates was similar in the case of particles deposited with negligible force, with the exception of adhesion to PTFE, which was about one‐third of the force. After the powders had been forced on to the substrate surface the median adhesive force increased. This increase was approximately five‐fold for the Sta‐Rx 1500 and up to thirty‐fold for the PEG 4000. Differences in the adhesion between each powder and the various substrates were now evident with, for example, Sta‐Rx 1500 adhering to stainless steel with a force of 1510 times 10−9 N, but to Dural with a force of 2380 times 10−9 N.
Self-monitoring of thread interactions for improved resource management in multithreaded systems

Hardware-level multithreaded systems provide infrastructure capable of executing multiple software threads in parallel. Such systems range from conventional multiprocessors to the recent simultaneous multithreading (SMT) and chip-multiprocessor (CMP) systems. To ensure that application programs receive high “quality-of-service” (e.g., high throughput, low response time), it is important for multithreaded systems to manage their hardware resources efficiently. Existing resource management solutions in operating systems and hardware are far from optimal. The major obstacle they face is the lack of accurate knowledge in the OS and hardware about application runtime behavior. For example, existing processors try their best to maximize metric values (e.g., instructions-per-cycle) meaningful to them, which, however, often do not correlate with metrics in which the applications are interested (e.g., transactions-per-second for a database application). Such lack of knowledge about application behavior often leads to inefficient resource usage in multithreaded systems. In this thesis, we develop mechanisms that enable multithreaded systems to self-monitor application runtime behavior. To support efficient management of processor resources (e.g., functional units), we study monitoring of thread microexecutions and their correlations with application-level performance metrics. To support efficient management of system resources (e.g., entire processors), we study monitoring of thread interactions. We focus on monitoring thread synchronization behaviors, which reflect application performance, and thread deadlocks, which reveal errors in applications. We make three contributions in this thesis. First, we develop a directed acyclic graph (DAG) model for quantifying the criticality of instructions on shared memory multithreaded systems. Second, we design a hardware mechanism that dynamically detects spinning synchronizations in multithreaded programs. Based on this design, we develop (1) hardware performance counters that more accurately reflect application performance than existing counters, (2) thread scheduling and power control policies that more efficiently manage resources than existing policies, and (3) OS and hardware support for detecting application livelocks. The third contribution of this thesis is an operating system mechanism, called Pulse, which can dynamically detect deadlocks in user applications. By using OS-level speculative execution, Pulse can detect deadlocks involving consumable resources, such as synchronization semaphores and pipes, which, to the best of our knowledge, no existing tools can detect.
Evaluation of Combined LED-Fluorescence Microscopy and Bleach Sedimentation for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis at Peripheral Health Service Level

Background Sputum microscopy is the only diagnostic for tuberculosis (TB) available at peripheral levels of health service in resource-poor countries. Its sensitivity is reduced in high HIV-prevalence settings. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) specimen sedimentation prior microscopy and light-emitting diode (LED)-fluorescence microscopy (FM) can individually improve performance of microscopy. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of combined LED-FM and NaOCl sputum sedimentation for TB detection at peripheral level of health services. Methods A prospective study was conducted in an urban health clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Three sputum specimens were collected over 2 days from consecutive TB suspects. Smears were prepared and stained with auramine O and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) methods. Bleach (3.5%) was added to the remaining specimen before overnight sedimentation at room temperature. Auramine O staining was performed on smears of sediment. A 4th specimen was collected for TB culture. Auramine smears were read under the same microscope as used for ZN smears, but equipped with the LED FluoLED™ fluorescence illuminator. Results 497 patients were included, and 1394 specimens collected. The yield of positive specimen was significantly increased after NaOCl sedimentation (24.9%) compared to direct LED-FM (20.6%) and direct ZN (20.3%). In detecting smear-positive patients, sensitivity was 78.5% for LED-FM after NaOCl sedimentation compared to 73.2% and 72.0% for direct LED-FM (P = 0.06) and direct ZN (P = 0.06), respectively. Specificity was 87.8% for LED-FM after NaOCl sedimentation compared to 96.7% and 95.9% for direct LED-FM (P<0.01) and direct ZN (P<0.01), respectively. Inter-reading agreement (kappa = 0.7) and technicians' acceptability were good. Conclusion NaOCl sedimentation did not improve the performance of LED-FM in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB at peripheral health service level.
Isolation of Differentially Expressed Genes in Conceptuses and Endometrial Tissue of Sows in Early Gestation1

Abstract The implantation period is a critical time for embryonic survival in pigs. During this period, numerous growth factors are secreted by the conceptuses and the uterine endometrium in order to establish pregnancy and to provide a proper environment for embryonic development. It is well known that the Chinese Meishan sows have a larger litter size when compared with occidental sows mainly because of a superior embryonic survival rate. As a further step toward understanding the mechanisms involved in embryonic survival, we used a suppression subtractive hybridization technique to identify genes that were differentially expressed in Meishan-Landrace conceptuses and endometrial tissue at Day 15 of gestation when compared with conventional Landrace sows. Of the 1000 subtractive clones isolated from each library, 137 endometrial and 166 conceptus-enriched cDNAs were single-pass sequenced and examined by BLAST analysis for identification. Sixty-two percent of the clones found in the endometrial library and 78% of the clones found in the conceptus library showed homology with known genes. Among these genes, the 20 most relevant to embryonic survival based on the available literature were validated through real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Our results show that suppression subtractive hybridization is a powerful method applicable in identifying putative candidate genes that might be used for selection of high litter-size breeds.
Factors influencing species richness, cover and composition of vegetation on Namaqualand quartz fields

The influence of four land-use activities on soil stability and the role the latter plays on plant species richness, cover by growth form and species composition, were investigated on Namaqualand quartz fields. The land-use activities were grazing by livestock, livestock paths and proximity to a road and to a quarry. Landscape positions assumed to be impacted by land-use activities had less stable soils compared to landscape positions assumed not to be impacted. Unstable soils resulted in hummocking that both influenced total species richness and species richness by growth form. The mechanism by which soils were destabilized and that caused hummocking was attributed to an increase of exposed soil. Total cover and cover of dwarf succulents and microchamaephytes were influenced by soil stability while it had a limited influence on quartz field species composition. Plant mortality was not related to soil stability while unhealthy plants were related to soil stability to a limited degree. The hypothesis that species richness, cover by growth form and species composition on quartz fields are influenced by soil stability is accepted. However, they are not independent of soil physical and chemical attributes and the location of sample sites in the quartz fields landscape. It is suggested that long-term investigations be undertaken in future to determine the effects of individual land-use activities on the performance of quartz field vegetation. INTRODUCTION The Succulent Karoo biome is one of 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide and the only one to occur in an arid area (Myers et al. 2000). Less than five percent of the biome is conserved (Lovegrove, 1993; Rutherford and Westfall, 1994; Low and Rebelo, 1996; Cowling and Pierce, 1999) making it the least conserved biome in South Africa. Quartz fields are scarce features of the Succulent Karoo.
Personality judgments from everyday images of faces

People readily make personality attributions to images of strangers' faces. Here we investigated the basis of these personality attributions as made to everyday, naturalistic face images. In a first study, we used 1000 highly varying “ambient image” face photographs to test the correspondence between personality judgments of the Big Five and dimensions known to underlie a range of facial first impressions: approachability, dominance, and youthful-attractiveness. Interestingly, the facial Big Five judgments were found to separate to some extent: judgments of openness, extraversion, emotional stability, and agreeableness were mainly linked to facial first impressions of approachability, whereas conscientiousness judgments involved a combination of approachability and dominance. In a second study we used average face images to investigate which main cues are used by perceivers to make impressions of the Big Five, by extracting consistent cues to impressions from the large variation in the original images. When forming impressions of strangers from highly varying, naturalistic face photographs, perceivers mainly seem to rely on broad facial cues to approachability, such as smiling.
Electromagnetic Fields Exposure From Extra High Voltage Transmission On Public Health: A Case-Control Study in Three Districts In Central Java

This study is to prove the effect of electromagnetic field exposure from 500 kV Extra High Voltage Transmission to the incidence of electrical sensitivity and the extent of the risk of electrical sensitivity incidence on the population residing in areas/in the proximity of 500 kV transmission facilities compared to residents who do not live under it. The study design employed is the case-control observational analytic epidemiology, and qualitative study, with 249 samples, consisted of 83 cases and 166 controls. The study was conducted in Pekalongan municipality, Pemalang municipality and Tegal municipality, all in Central Java. The results show that there are some effects of the electromagnetic field 500 kV electricity transmission exposure with the incidence of electrical sensitivity. Moreover, the electrical sensitivity incidence on the residents living under 500 kV electricity transmission is 5.8 times compared to those who do not live under 500 kV electricity transmission.
Antiangiogenic phytochemicals and medicinal herbs

Medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals are potential novel leads for developing antiangiogenic drugs. This review aims to assess the current status of research with medicinal herbs and their phytochemicals for the development of antiangiogenic agents for cancer and other angiogenesis‐related diseases including inflammation, diabetic retinopathy, endometriosis and obesity. Most studies reviewed have focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) signaling for endothelial response processes and have led to the identification of many potential antiangiogenic agents. Since human clinical trials with antiangiogenic modalities targeting VEGF/VEGFR‐2 signaling have shown limited efficacy and occasional toxic side effects, screening strategies for herbal phytochemicals based on other signaling pathways important for cancer‐endothelial and stromal crosstalks should be emphasized in the future. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.