Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control over a Bandwidth Limited Signal to Noise Ratio constrained Communication Channel

Stabilisability of a minimum phase unstable continuous plant is studied under the presence of a bandwidth limited and Signal to Noise Ratio constrained communication link. The problem is addressed in two different ways: first through the use of an LTI filter explicitly modelling the bandwidth limitation, and in second place, for the case of one real unstable pole, through the Poisson Integral Formula and design attenuation requirements on the power outside the assigned bandwidth. Results show that when a bandwidth limitation is in existence this increases the minimum value of Signal to Noise Ratio required for stabilisability. An example is used to study both approaches.
Low birth weight, preterm birth and short interpregnancy interval in Sudan

Objective. To investigate whether short interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with increased risk of low birth weight and preterm labour. Methods. The study was conducted in the labour ward of Khartoum hospital in Sudan during November 2007 through February 2008. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for the confounding factors using multiple logistic regression models. Results. Compared with IPI of 18–30 months, those women with intervals shorter than 18 months had an increased risk of low birth weight (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0–3.5, P = 0.04) and preterm labour (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–4.7, P = 0.01). Conclusion. In this study, IPI shorter than 18 months are independently associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.
Concurrent sensorimotor temporal recalibration to different lags for the left and right hand

Perception of temporal synchrony between one’s own action and the sensory feedback of that action is quite flexible. We examined whether sensorimotor temporal recalibration (TR) involves central or motor-specific components by concurrently exposing the left and right hands to different lags. The experiment was composed of a pre-test, an adaptation phase, and a post-test. During the adaptation phase, participants tapped their left and right index fingers in alternating fashion while each tap induced an auditory feedback signal (a short click sound). One hand was exposed to a long delay between the tap and the sound (~150 ms), while the other hand was exposed to a subjective no-delay (~50 ms). Before and after the adaptation phase (the pre- and post-test), participants tried to tap in synchrony with pacer tones (ISI = 1000 ms). The results showed that the hand that was exposed to the delayed sound corrected for this delay by tapping earlier (a larger anticipation error) than the no-delay hand, indicating TR. Different amounts of TR were found when the left and right hand were concurrently exposed to the same versus different delays. With different exposure- delays for the two hands, there was a TR even for the hand that did not experience any delay in the feedback signal. However, it is not the case with the same exposure delay for the two hands. TR of the hand that experienced delayed feedback also occurred faster and was more complete (~40% greater than that of the hand with no subjective delay) if the two hands were exposed to the same rather than different delays (~20% greater than that of the hand with no subjective delay). These results suggest the existence of cross-talk between the hands, where both central and motor-specific components might be involved.
MicroRNA Cargo of Extracellular Vesicles from Alcohol-exposed Monocytes Signals Naive Monocytes to Differentiate into M2 Macrophages*

Membrane-coated extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cells can serve as vehicles for delivery of biological materials and signals. Recently, we demonstrated that alcohol-treated hepatocytes cross-talk with immune cells via exosomes containing microRNA (miRNAs). Here, we hypothesized that alcohol-exposed monocytes can communicate with naive monocytes via EVs. We observed increased numbers of EVs, mostly exosomes, secreted by primary human monocytes and THP-1 monocytic cells in the presence of alcohol in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. EVs derived from alcohol-treated monocytes stimulated naive monocytes to polarize into M2 macrophages as indicated by increased surface expression of CD68 (macrophage marker), M2 markers (CD206 (mannose receptor) and CD163 (scavenger receptor)), secretion of IL-10, and TGFβ and increased phagocytic activity. miRNA profiling of the EVs derived from alcohol-treated THP-1 monocytes revealed high expression of the M2-polarizing miRNA, miR-27a. Treatment of naive monocytes with control EVs overexpressing miR-27a reproduced the effect of EVs from alcohol-treated monocytes on naive monocytes and induced M2 polarization, suggesting that the effect of alcohol EVs was mediated by miR-27a. We found that miR-27a modulated the process of phagocytosis by targeting CD206 expression on monocytes. Importantly, analysis of circulating EVs from plasma of alcoholic hepatitis patients revealed increased numbers of EVs that contained high levels of miR-27a as compared with healthy controls. Our results demonstrate the following: first, alcohol increases EV production in monocytes; second, alcohol-exposed monocytes communicate with naive monocytes via EVs; and third, miR-27a cargo in monocyte-derived EVs can program naive monocytes to polarize into M2 macrophages.
Identification and Expression Profiling of miRNAome in Goat longissimus dorsi Muscle from Prenatal Stages to a Neonatal Stage

Skeletal muscle development is a complex biological process regulated by numerous genes and non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). In the current study, we made use of the deep sequencing data from Jianzhou Da’er goat longissimus dorsi sampled on days 45, 60, and 105 of gestation, as well as day three after birth to identify miRNAs that regulate goat skeletal myogenesis, and examine their temporal expression profiles. A total of 410 known goat miRNAs, 752 miRNA homologs and 88 novel miRNAs were identified across four stages. Besides three myomiRs, the abundance of 17 miRNAs, including chi-miR-424, chi-miR-542-3p and chi-miR-136-5p was more than 10,000 reads per million mapped reads (RPM), on average. Furthermore, 50 miRNAs with more than 100 RPM clustered at the imprinted DLK1–DIO3 locus on chromosome 21 and showed similar expression patterns, indicating that these miRNAs played important roles in skeletal myogenesis of goats. Based on pairwise comparisons, 221 differentially expressed (DE), known miRNAs were identified across four stages. GO and KEGG analyses of the genes targeted by the DE miRNAs revealed the significantly enriched processes and pathways to be consistent with temporal changes of skeletal muscle development across all sampled stages. However, follow-up experimental studies were required to explore functions of these miRNAs and targets underlying skeletal myogenesis.
Educational status, coronary heart disease, and coronary risk factor prevalence in a rural population of India

Abstract Objective: To define the association between educational level and prevalence of coronary heart disease and coronary risk factors in India. Design - Total community cross sectional survey with a doctor administered questionnaire, physical examination, and electrocardiography. Setting: A cluster of three villages in rural Rajasthan, Western India. Subjects: 3148 residents aged over 20 (1982 men, 1166 women) divided into various groups according to years of formal schooling. Results - Illiteracy and low educational levels were associated with less prestigious occupations (agricultural and farm labouring) and inferior housing. There was an inverse correlation of educational level with age (rank correlation: men -045, women -0.49). The prevalence of coronary heart disease (diagnosed by electrocardiography) was significantly higher among uneducated and less educated people and showed an inverse relation with education in both sexes. Among uneducated and less educated people there was a higher prevalence of the coronary risk factors smoking and hypertension. Educational level showed a significant inverse correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age showed that educational level had an inverse relation with prevalence of electrocardiographically diagnosed coronary heart disease (odds ratio: men 0.82, women 0.53), hypertension (men 0.88, women 0.56), and smoking (men 0.73, women 0.65) but not with hypercholesterolaemia and obesity. The inverse relation of coronary heart disease with educational level abated after adustment for smoking, physical activity, body mass index, and blood pressure (odds ratio: men 0.98, women 0.78). Conclusion: Uneducated and less educated people in rural India have a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease and of the coronary risk factors smoking and hypertension.
The genomics of Acinetobacter baumannii: Insights into genome plasticity, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity

The genome sequences of a number of Acinetobacter baumannii strains, including representatives of the main epidemic international lineages, have now been determined, and several others are in progress. The study of A. baumannii genomics has provided an expanded view of the adaptation and virulence capacities of this bacterial species, whilst also presenting novel insights into its intraspecies diversity and genome evolution. Genomic analyses have revealed that the current A. baumannii clinical population consists of low‐grade pathogens, whose pathogenicity relies mainly on an ability to persist in the hospital setting and survive antibiotic treatment. A. baumannii has a high capacity to acquire new genetic determinants and displays an open pan genome; this feature may have played a crucial role in the evolution of this human opportunistic pathogen towards clinical success. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(12): 1068–1074, 2011
Why one century of phenetics is enough: response to "Are there really twice as many bovid species as we thought?".

1AEON—Africa Earth Observatory Network, Geoecodynamics Research Hub, c/o Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; 2SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve & Core Member of Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa; 3Viale Liegi 48, 00198 Roma, Italy; 4 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa; and 5School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia; ∗Correspondence to be sent to: E-mail: fcotterill@gmail.com
Maternal cardiac output response to colloid preload and vasopressor therapy during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in patients with severe pre‐eclampsia: a randomised, controlled trial

We examined the haemodynamic effects of colloid preload, and phenylephrine and ephedrine administered for spinal hypotension, during caesarean section in 42 women with severe early onset pre‐eclampsia. Twenty patients with pre‐delivery spinal hypotension were randomly allocated to receive an initial dose of either 50 μg phenylephrine or 7.5 mg ephedrine; the primary outcome was percentage change in cardiac index. After a 300‐ml colloid preload, mean (SD) cardiac index increased from 4.9 (1.1) to 5.6 (1.2) l.min−1.m−2 (p < 0.01), resulting from an increase in both heart rate, from 81.3 (17.2) to 86.3 (16.5) beats.min−1 (p = 0.2), and stroke volume, from 111.8 (19.0) to 119.8 (17.9) ml (p = 0.049). Fourteen (33%) and 23 (54.8%) patients exhibited a stroke volume response > 10% and > 5%, respectively; a significant negative correlation was found between heart rate and stroke volume changes. Spinal hypotension in 20 patients was associated with an increase from baseline in cardiac index of 0.6 l.min−1.m−2 (mean difference 11.5%; p < 0.0001). After a median [range] dose of 50 [50–150] μg phenylephrine or 15 [7.5–37.5] mg ephedrine, the percentage change in cardiac index during the measurement period of 150 s was greater, and negative, in patients receiving phenylephrine vs. ephedrine, at −12.0 (7.3)% vs. 2.6 (6.0)%, respectively (p = 0.0001). The percentage change in heart rate after vasopressor was higher in patients receiving phenylephrine, at −9.1 (3.4)% vs. 5.3 (12.6)% (p = 0.0027), as was the change in systemic vascular resistance, at 22.3 (7.5) vs. −1.9 (10.5)% (p < 0.0001). Phenylephrine effectively reverses spinal anaesthesia‐induced haemodynamic changes in severe pre‐eclampsia, if left ventricular systolic function is preserved.
The Isotron Algorithm: High-Dimensional Isotonic Regression

The Perceptron algorithm elegantly solves binary classification problems that have a margin between positive and negative examples. Isotonic regression (fitting an arbitrary increasing function in one dimension) is also a natural problem with a simple solution. By combining the two, we get a new but very simple algorithm with strong guarantees. Our ISOTRON algorithm provably learns Single Index Models (SIM), a generalization of linear and logistic regression, generalized linear models, as well as binary classification by linear threshold functions. In particular, it provably learns SIMs with unknown mean functions that are nondecreasing and Lipschitz-continuous, thereby generalizing linear and logistic regression and linear-threshold functions (with a margin). Like the Perceptron, it is straightforward to implement and kernelize. Hence, the ISOTRON provides a very simple yet flexible and principled approach to regression.
Robust Estimation of 3-D Camera Motion for Uncalibrated Augmented Reality

We describe initial work on a system for augmenting video sequences with 3-D graphics or animations so that they appear to be present within the scene. Our aim is to do this in real-time for sequences captured by uncalibrated ‘live’ cameras, such as a hand-held or wearable. These sequences typically contain jitter and can have narrow baselines between frames over extended time intervals. The paper focuses on obtaining accurate estimates of the 3-D motion and position of the camera for these types of sequences. We present a method based on sparse feature tracking and the recursive structure from motion algorithm developed by Azarbayejani and Pentland [1]. Our contribution is to report experiments which demonstrate that the approach performs well for sequences with jitter and narrow baselines and to discuss implementation issues relating to its use in a ‘live’ real-time system.
Random graph models of social networks

We describe some new exactly solvable models of the structure of social networks, based on random graphs with arbitrary degree distributions. We give models both for simple unipartite networks, such as acquaintance networks, and bipartite networks, such as affiliation networks. We compare the predictions of our models to data for a number of real-world social networks and find that in some cases, the models are in remarkable agreement with the data, whereas in others the agreement is poorer, perhaps indicating the presence of additional social structure in the network that is not captured by the random graph.
Dietary phylloquinone intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in elderly subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND Limited evidence from human and animal studies has suggested that vitamin K has a potentially beneficial role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE We analyzed the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between dietary phylloquinone intake and type 2 diabetes in elderly subjects at high cardiovascular risk. DESIGN Cross-sectional associations were tested in 1925 men and women in the Prevention with the Mediterranean Diet trial. A longitudinal analysis was conducted on 1069 individuals free of diabetes at baseline (median follow-up: 5.5 y). Biochemical and anthropometric variables were obtained yearly. Dietary intake was collected during each annual visit by using a food-frequency questionnaire, and phylloquinone intake was estimated by using the USDA database. The occurrence of type 2 diabetes during follow-up was assessed by using American Diabetes Association criteria. RESULTS Dietary phylloquinone at baseline was significantly lower in subjects who developed type 2 diabetes during the study. After adjustment for potential confounders, risk of incident diabetes was 17% lower for each additional intake of 100 μg phylloquinone/d. Moreover, subjects who increased their dietary intake of vitamin K during the follow-up had a 51% reduced risk of incident diabetes compared with subjects who decreased or did not change the amount of phylloquinone intake. CONCLUSION We conclude that dietary phylloquinone intake is associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This trial was registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN35739639.
Increasing data availability in mobile ad-hoc networks : A community-centric and resource-aware replication approach

Les reseaux ad hoc mobiles sont des reseaux qui se forment spontanement grâce a la presence de terminaux mobiles. Ces reseaux sans fil sont de faible capacite. Les nœuds se deplacent librement et de maniere imprevisible et ils se dechargent tres rapidement. En consequence, un reseau MANET est tres enclin a subir des partitionnements frequents. Les applications deployees sur de tels reseaux, souffrent de problemes de disponibilite des donnees induits par ces partitionnements. La replication des donnees constitue un mecanisme prometteur pour pallier ce probleme. Cependant, la mise en œuvre d’un tel mecanisme dans un environnement aussi contraint en ressources constitue un reel defi. L’objectif principal est donc de realiser un mecanisme peu consommateur en ressources. Le second objectif de la replication est de permettre le reequilibrage de la charge induite par les requetes de donnees. Le choix des donnees a repliquer ainsi que celui des nœuds optimaux pour le placement des futurs replicas est donc crucial, specialement dans le contexte du MANET. Dans cette these, nous proposons CReaM (Community-Centric and Resource-Aware Replication Model”) un modele de replication adapte a un reseau MANET. CReaM fonctionne en mode autonomique : les prises de decisions se basent sur des informations collectees dans le voisinage du nœud plutot que sur des donnees globalement impliquant tous les nœuds, ce qui permet de reduire le trafic reseau lie a la replication. Pour reduire l’usage des ressources induit par la replication sur un nœud, les niveaux de consommation des ressources sont controles par un moniteur. Toute consommation excedant un seuil predefini lie a cette ressource declenche le processus de replication. Pour permettre le choix de la donnee a repliquer, une classification multi criteres a ete proposee (rarete de la donnee, semantique, niveau de demande); et un moteur d’inference qui prend en compte l’etat de consommation des ressources du nœud pour designer la categorie la plus adaptee pour choisir la donnee a repliquer. Pour permettre de placer les replicas au plus pres des nœuds interesses, CReaM propose un mecanisme pour l’identification et le maintien a jour des centres d’interet des nœuds. Les utilisateurs interesses par un meme sujet constituent une communaute. Par ailleurs, chaque donnee a repliquer est estampillee par le ou les sujets au(x)quel(s) elle s’apparente. Un nœud desirant placer un replica apparente a un sujet choisira le nœud ayant la plus grande communaute sur ce sujet. Les resultats d’experimentations confirment la capacite de CReaM a ameliorer la disponibilite des donnees au meme niveau que les solutions concurrentes, tout en reduisant la charge liee a la replication. D’autre part, CReaM permet de respecter l’etat de consommation des ressources sur les nœuds.
Rotating heavy meson in a N=4 SYM plasma and AdS/CFT

In this paper, we consider a quark-antiquark ($q\bar{q}$) pair, which may be interpreted as a meson, in ${\mathcal{N}}$=4 SYM thermal plasma. We assume that $q\bar{q}$ center of mass moves at speed $v$ and furthermore they rotate around the center of mass. By using AdS/CFT correspondence, we obtain momentum densities of string (which is dual picture of a meson), and also determine motion of the string for small velocities of the heavy meson. Without rotation the $q\bar{q}$ pair feels no drag force along $X$ direction. But we found that the momentum flow increases along $X$ direction and decreases along $Y$ direction for rotating heavy meson.
Evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test for diagnosis of Babesia gibsoni infections in dogs.

We determined the extent of the serologic cross-reactivity in the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for Babesia gibsoni, and the optimal cut-off titer for seropositivity in the test. The lowest titer to B gibsoni detected in a dog with naturally acquired clinical babesiosis was 1,280, and 7 of 12 dogs had titer between 10,240 and 20,480. Two experimentally infected normosplenic dogs developed high titer (40,960 to 81,920) to B gibsoni, and the same sera reacted in IFA tests for B canis (titer < or = 640), Toxoplasma gondii (titer < or = 2,560), and Neospora caninum (titer < or = 10,240). Dogs that were experimentally infected with B canis and T gondii had titer < or = 160 to B gibsoni. Dogs that were experimentally infected with N caninum had titer (80 to 10,240) to N caninum, but failed to have serologic reactivity to B gibsoni. Serologic titer of healthy dogs from Australia, a country where B gibsoni is not known to exist, was < or = 160 to B gibsoni. On the basis of these findings, a cut-off titer of 320 was considered to be appropriate for serodiagnosis of B gibsoni in dogs with clinical signs of babesiosis. A more conservative titer of 1,280 was established as the cut-off titer for seroepidemiologic studies based on relative costs and benefits of false-positive results and failure to isolate B gibsoni parasites after splenectomy and immunosuppression from a clinically normal dog with B gibsoni titer of 640. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clinical Outcome of Modified Laparoscopy-Assisted Proximal Gastrectomy Compared to Conventional Proximal Gastrectomy or Total Gastrectomy for Upper-Third Early Gastric Cancer with Special References to Postoperative Reflux Esophagitis

Purpose This study evaluated the functional and oncological outcomes of proximal gastrectomy (PG) in comparison with total gastrectomy (TG) for upper-third early gastric cancer (EGC). Materials and Methods The medical records of upper-third EGC patients who had undergone PG (n=192) or TG (n=157) were reviewed. The PG group was further subdivided into patients who had undergone conventional open PG (cPG; n=157) or modified laparoscopy-assisted PG (mLAPG; n=35). Patients who had undergone mLAPG had a longer portion of their intra-abdominal esophagus preserved than patients who had undergone cPG. Surgical morbidity, recurrence, long-term nutritional status, and the incidence of reflux esophagitis were compared between the groups. Results The rate of postoperative complications was significantly lower for PG than TG (16.7% vs. 31.2%), but the five-year overall survival rate was comparable between the two groups (99.3% vs. 96.3%). Postoperative levels of hemoglobin and albumin were significantly higher for patients who had undergone PG. However, the incidence of reflux esophagitis was higher for PG than for TG (37.4% vs. 3.7%; P<0.001). mLAPG was related to a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis after PG (P<0.001). Conclusions Compared to TG, PG showed an advantage in terms of postoperative morbidity and nutrition, and there was a comparable prognosis between the two procedures. Preserving the intra-abdominal esophagus may lower the incidence of reflux esophagitis associated with PG.