Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic polyarteritis nodosa in the young: a single-center experience over thirty-two years.

OBJECTIVE Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare disease of childhood. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of systemic childhood PAN and to identify predictors of relapse. METHODS A single-center retrospective medical records review of children with PAN fulfilling the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PRES)/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) classification criteria who were seen over a 32-year period was performed. Data on demographic and clinical features, treatments, relapses (recurrence of clinical signs/symptoms or occurrence of new symptoms after initial remission requiring escalation or resumption of immunosuppressive therapy), and deaths were recorded. A disease activity score was retrospectively assigned using the Paediatric Vasculitis Activity Score (PVAS) instrument. Cox regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of relapse. RESULTS Sixty-nine children with PAN were identified; 55% were male, and their median age was 8.5 years (range 0.9-15.8 years). Their clinical features at presentation were fever (87%), myalgia (83%), skin (88%), renal (19%), severe gastrointestinal (GI) (10%), and neurologic (10%) involvement. The PVAS at presentation was 9 of 63 (range 4-24). Histopathologic analysis of the skin showed necrotizing vasculitis in biopsy samples from 40 of 50 children. Results of selective visceral arteriography suggested the presence of PAN in 96% of patients. Treatment included cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids (83%), plasma exchange (9%), and biologic agents (after 2002; 13%). The relapse rate was 35%, and the mortality rate was 4%. Severe GI involvement was associated with increased risk of relapse (P = 0.031), while longer time to induce remission (P = 0.022) and increased cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide (P = 0.005) were associated with lower relapse risk. CONCLUSION Childhood PAN is a severe inflammatory disease of insidious onset and variable clinical presentation. Relapses occurred more frequently in those with severe GI involvement. A higher cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide was associated with a lower risk of relapse.
Short Communication Identification of prion protein gene polymorphisms in goats from Italian scrapie outbreaks

Susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is influenced by polymorphisms of the prion protein (PrP) gene, whereas no strong association between genetics and scrapie has yet been determined in goats due to the limited number of studies on these animals. In this case‐control study on 177 goats fromsixItalianscrapieoutbreaks,theassociationbetweenPrPallelesandtheoccurrenceofscrapie was studied. Three silent mutations and 11 PrP polymorphisms were identified, of which two polymorphisms (L133Q and M137I) and one silent mutation (T202T) have not been reported previously. Twelve alleles were determined by cloning. Statistical analysis suggested a possible protective role against scrapie for the glutamine to lysine mutation at codon 222.
Conception d'entrepôts de données géospatiales à partir de sources hétérogènes Exemple d'application en foresterie

RESUME. Dans cet article, nous abordons les problemes lies a l’integration de donnees spatiotemporelles au sein d’un entrepot de donnees. Dans de nombreux cas, les specifications des jeux de donnees geospatiales evoluent et les donnees sont heterogenes a la fois des points de vue temporel, spatial et semantique. Afin d’explorer et d’analyser des jeux de donnees spatiotemporelles dans une application SOLAP (Spatial On-Line Analytical Processing), nous definissons les notions de dimension spatiale geometrique et de dimensions specifiques ou generiques. A l’aide de ce type de dimensions, nous proposons deux approches pour modeliser des structures multidimensionnelles. L’objectif final est de permettre l’extraction de connaissances geographiques par l’exploration des donnees detaillees associees a une epoque et des etudes temporelles sur les donnees integrees et comparatives. A partir d’un exemple pris dans le domaine de la foresterie, nous evaluons l’implementation de ces deux modeles. ABSTRACT. This paper presents some problems linked to the integration of data in a spatiotemporal data warehouse. In many cases, the specifications of the data sets have evolved over time and data sources have temporal, spatial and semantic heterogeneity. In order to explore and analyse spatio-temporal data sets in a SOLAP (Spatial On Line Analytical Processing) application, we define geometric spatial dimension and specific or generic thematic dimensions. Using these dimensions, we propose two approaches to model multidimensional structures. The final objective is to support geographic knowledge discovery through data exploration of detailed data for an epoch and of integrated comparable data for time-variant studies. Using a practical example in the field of forestry, we evaluate the implementation of these two models.
Bacterial populations associated with mycelium of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices.

Abstract The influences of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices on the culturable aerobic-heterotrophic bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and hyphosphere of cucumber plants (Cucumis satvius) were investigated. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants were grown in compartmentalised growth units, each with a root compartment and two lateral root-free compartments. Samples representing rhizosphere, root-free soil, root-free sand and washed sand extract were collected 52 days after sowing from treatments both with and without mycorrhiza. No significant difference in total bacterial number was observed between the mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal treatment. Fourteen hundred bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by fatty acid methyl ester analysis using the Sherlock system (MIDI Inc.), 87 species within 48 genera were identified with a similarity index >0.30. Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter and Burkholderia were the genera most frequently encountered. Large differences in bacterial community structure were observed between rhizosphere soil, root-free soil/sand and washed sand extract, whereas major differences between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal treatments were observed for a few bacterial species only. Isolates identified as Paenibacillus spp. were more frequently found in the mycorrhizal treatment and especially in the washed sand extract with mycelium of G. intraradices, indicating that bacteria within this genus may live in close association with mycelium of these fungi.
Microcalorimetric Investigation of the Effect of the Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride on the Fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AY93161 for Lignocellulosic Ethanol Production

The effects of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) on the ethanol fermentation process of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AY93161 were investigated by using microcalorimetry. On the basis of microcalorimetric and process data, the thermokinetic parameters of the ethanol fermentation process at different BMIMCl concentrations from 0.001 to 5 gL were calculated. Compared to the control, the BMIMCl caused a decreased value of the maximum specific growth rate μm (from 0.226 to 0.105 h), and an increased value of the maximum specific produced heat rate pm (from 2.08 to 7.06 mWlg ) and the total heat output H for producing 1 g ethanol (from 990 to 1871 Jg). The decreased μm and increased pm and H led to lower final yeast concentration (from 3.85 to 2.39 gL) and ethanol concentration (from 40.3 to 25.1 gL). This gives useful information for improving the lignocellulosic ethanol production process using the ionic liquid technology.
Isolation and characterization of post-splicing lariat–intron complexes

Pre-mRNA splicing occurs in a large complex spliceosome. The steps of both spliceosome assembly and splicing reaction have been extensively analyzed, and many of the factors involved have been identified. However, the post-splicing intron turnover process, especially in vertebrates, remains to be examined. In this paper, we developed a two-tag affinity purification method for purifying lariat intron RNA–protein complexes obtained from an in vitro splicing reaction. Glycerol gradient sedimentation analyses revealed that there are at least two forms of post-splicing intron complexes, which we named the ‘Intron Large (IL)’ and the ‘Intron Small (IS)’ complexes. The IL complex contains U2, U5 and U6 snRNAs and other protein splicing factors, whereas the IS complex contains no such U snRNAs or proteins. We also showed that TFIP11, a human homolog of yeast Ntr1, is present in the IL complex and the TFIP11 mutant protein, which lacks the interaction domain with hPrp43 protein, caused accumulation of the IL complex and reduction of IS complex formation in vitro. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that TFIP11 in cooperation with hPrp43 mediates the transition from the IL complex to the IS complex, leading to efficient debranching and turnover of excised introns.
Neural correlates of facial motion perception 1 Natural facial motion enhances cortical responses to faces

The ability to perceive facial motion is important to successfully interact in social environments. Previously, imaging studies have investigated neural correlates of facial motion primarily using abstract motion stimuli. Here, we studied how the brain processes natural non-rigid facial motion in direct comparison to static stimuli and matched phasescrambled controls. As predicted from previous studies, dynamic faces elicit higher responses than static faces in lateral temporal areas corresponding to hMT+/V5 and STS. Interestingly, analyses of individually-defined, static-face-sensitive regions in bilateral fusiform gyrus and left inferior occipital gyrus also respond more to dynamic than static faces. These results suggest integration of form and motion information during the processing of dynamic faces even in ventral temporal and inferior lateral occipital areas. In addition, our results show that dynamic stimuli are a robust tool to localize areas related to the processing of static and dynamic face information. Neural correlates of facial motion perception 3
Vitamin D supplement doses and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the range associated with cancer prevention.

BACKGROUND Studies indicate that intake of vitamin D in the range from 1,100 to 4,000 IU/d and a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration [25(OH)D] from 60-80 ng/ml may be needed to reduce cancer risk. Few community-based studies allow estimation of the dose-response relationship between oral intake of vitamin D and corresponding serum 25(OH)D in the range above 1,000 IU/d. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive study of serum 25(OH)D concentration and self-reported vitamin D intake in a community-based cohort (n = 3,667, mean age 51.3 ± 13.4 y). RESULTS Serum 25(OH)D rose as a function of self-reported vitamin D supplement ingestion in a curvilinear fashion, with no intakes of 10,000 IU/d or lower producing 25(OH)D values above the lower-bound of the zone of potential toxicity (200 ng/ml). Unsupplemented all-source input was estimated at 3,300 IU/d. The supplemental dose ensuring that 97.5% of this population achieved a serum 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/ml was 9,600 IU/d. CONCLUSION Universal intake of up to 40,000 IU vitamin D per day is unlikely to result in vitamin D toxicity.
Hierarchical modeling of the Axis2 web services framework with FMC-QE

Service-oriented systems are complex systems, often extending and integrating existing enterprise systems. The fast development pace that SOA enables and the inherent complexity of such systems makes it difficult to maintain an up-to-date overview of the different system components, often plagued by unexpected and difficult to predict and locate performance problems. When dealing with such systems the issue of properly describing the system and the interaction between system components, in a way that allows to perform a fast preliminary approximation of the systempsilas performance, has to be addressed. The present paper addresses these issues by proposing FMC-QE (fundamental modeling concepts for quantitative evaluation) - a hierarchical modeling methodology, as basis for quantitative system modeling and performance evaluation. A service provider using Axis2, an advanced framework for web services developed by the Apache Foundation, is modeled as a test study. Axis2 is presented to familiarize the reader with the framework and to capture the complexity of the system. Using FMC-QE, a model of the system is built, as well as detailed representations of the the input and output processing flows. An FMC-QE Tableau corresponding to the model is presented as basis for the mathematical support used for performance estimation and evaluation.
Normative and Informational Influences in Online Political Discussions

How do the statements made by people in online political discussions affect other people's willingness to express their own opinions, or argue for them? And how does group interaction ultimately shape individual opinions? We examine carefully whether and how patterns of group discussion shape (a) individuals’ expressive behavior within those discussions and (b) changes in personal opinions. This research proposes that the argumentative “climate” of group opinion indeed affects postdiscussion opinions, and that a primary mechanism responsible for this effect is an intermediate influence on individual participants’ own expressions during the online discussions. We find support for these propositions in data from a series of 60 online group discussions, involving ordinary citizens, about the tax plans offered by rival U.S. presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000.
Perceptions of Threats to Physical Safety, Sexual Autonomy, Values, and of Discrimination Drive LGB Prejudices Toward Heterosexuals

Many studies have investigated heterosexuals’ prejudices toward nonheterosexuals, yet LGB’s prejudices toward heterosexuals remain largely unexplored. Therefore, we sought to determine the threats and opportunities (i.e., affordances) LGB perceive heterosexuals to pose and whether those affordances explain their sexual prejudices toward heterosexuals. Study 1 analyzed LGB’s reasons for liking and disliking heterosexuals, which determined whether the threats predicted to be salient for LGB mirrored the affordances they generated. Study 2 measured these perceived affordances and examined the extent to which they drove LGB’s prejudices toward heterosexuals. Generally, perceptions of discrimination and unreciprocated sexual interest threats drove anger, physical safety and sexual autonomy threats drove fear, and values threats drove moral disgust toward heterosexuals, although results varied slightly by perceiver and target groups. Goals to alleviate the tensions between heterosexuals and LGB require an understanding of the dynamics between these groups. This research provides preliminary insights into understanding those dynamics.
Analysis of Channel Access Schemes for Model-based Estimation over Multi-access Networks

This paper investigates the performance of model-based estimation over multi-access networks and emphasizes on the estimation MSE (mean squared error) while using different channel access schemes: probabilistic (random access), deterministic (round-robin scheduling), and combined (grouped channel access). We propose a mathematical framework for estimation over a simple multi-access MAC protocol, the slotted ALOHA network. Estimation MSE, its asymptotic behavior and stability condition are derived for different channel access methods. Our quantitative discussion can provide guidelines to design the communication logic for those control systems built on top of multi-access networks.
Recombinant uteroglobin prevents the experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND Although uteroglobin is known to have an immunomodulatory property and prevents the deposition of immune-complexes on the glomeruli of mice, the therapeutic potential of uteroglobin is uncertain in glomerulonephritis. To test the hypothesis that uteroglobin can prevent glomerulonephritis, we have studied the effects of recombinant uteroglobin on the development of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis that is induced by anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies. METHODS AND RESULTS Glomerulonephritis was induced by the intravenous injection of rabbit anti-GBM globulin antibodies into mice (C57BL/6), and renal injury was evaluated 7, 14, and 21 days afterward. Recombinant uteroglobin or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were given intravenously to mice for 3 days after anti-GBM antibody injection. Proteinuria was significantly reduced in mice treated with recombinant uteroglobin compared with disease-control mice at 7 and 14 days after an anti-GBM antibody injection, although the serum creatinine concentration was similar in both groups. The amount of proteinuria was similar in recombinant uteroglobin-treated and normal control mice. By histologic analysis, mesangial matrix expansion, mesangial proliferation, and cellular crescents representing crescentic glomerulonephritis were markedly attenuated by injection of recombinant uteroglobin. The in vitro proliferative responses of mesangial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were blunted by the addition of recombinant uteroglobin in a dose-dependent manner. The preventive effects exerted by recombinant uteroglobin treatment were based on the inhibition of antibodies and complement-3 deposition on the glomeruli. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the preventive effects of recombinant uteroglobin in an experimental model of crescentic glomerulonephritis, and suggests the therapeutic implications of uteroglobin for human chronic glomerulonephritis.
Disruption of PMR1, Encoding a Ca2+-ATPase Homolog in Yarrowia lipolytica, Affects Secretion and Processing of Homologous and Heterologous Proteins

ABSTRACT The Yarrowia lipolytica PMR1 gene (YlPMR1) is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae PMR1 homolog which encodes a putative secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase. In this study, we investigated the effects of a YlPMR1 disruption on the processing and secretion of native and foreign proteins in Y. lipolytica and found variable responses by theYlPMR1-disrupted mutant depending on the protein. The secretion of 32-kDa mature alkaline extracellular protease (AEP) was dramatically decreased, and incompletely processed precursors were observed in the YlPMR1-disrupted mutant. A 36- and a 52-kDa premature AEP were secreted, and an intracellular 52-kDa premature AEP was also detected. The acid extracellular protease activity of theYlPMR1-disrupted mutant was increased by 60% compared to that of the wild-type strain. The inhibitory effect of mutations in secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase genes on the secretion of rice α-amylase was also observed in the Y. lipolytica andS. cerevisiae PMR1-disrupted mutants. Unlike rice α-amylase, the secretion of Trichoderma reeseiendoglucanase I (EGI) was not influenced by the YlPMR1disruption. However, the secreted EGI from theYlPMR1-disrupted mutant had different characteristics than that of the control. While wild-type cells secreted the hyperglycosylated form of EGI, hyperglycosylation was completely absent in the YlPMR1-disrupted mutant. Our results indicate that the effects of the YlPMR1 disruption as manifested by the phenotypic response depend on the characteristics of the reporter protein in the recombinant yeast strain evaluated.
Neural correlates of depth of strategic reasoning in medial prefrontal cortex

We used functional MRI (fMRI) to investigate human mental processes in a competitive interactive setting—the “beauty contest” game. This game is well-suited for investigating whether and how a player's mental processing incorporates the thinking process of others in strategic reasoning. We apply a cognitive hierarchy model to classify subject's choices in the experimental game according to the degree of strategic reasoning so that we can identify the neural substrates of different levels of strategizing. According to this model, high-level reasoners expect the others to behave strategically, whereas low-level reasoners choose based on the expectation that others will choose randomly. The data show that high-level reasoning and a measure of strategic IQ (related to winning in the game) correlate with the neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, demonstrating its crucial role in successful mentalizing. This supports a cognitive hierarchy model of human brain and behavior.
Regular polysemy: from sense vectors to sense patterns

Regular polysemy was extensively investigated in lexical semantics, but this phenomenon has been very little studied in distributional semantics. We propose a model for regular polysemy detection that is based on sense vectors and allows to work directly with senses in semantic vector space. Our method is able to detect polysemous words that have the same regular sense alternation as in a given example (a word with two automatically induced senses that represent one polysemy pattern, such as ANIMAL / FOOD). The method works equally well for nouns, verbs and adjectives and achieves average recall of 0.55 and average precision of 0.59 for ten different polysemy patterns.
Physical activity and food environments: solutions to the obesity epidemic.

CONTEXT Environmental, policy, and societal changes are important contributors to the rapid rise in obesity over the past few decades, and there has been substantial progress toward identifying environmental and policy factors related to eating and physical activity that can point toward solutions. This article is a status report on research on physical activity and food environments, and it suggests how these findings can be used to improve diet and physical activity and to control or reduce obesity. METHODS This article summarizes and synthesizes recent reviews and provides examples of representative studies. It also describes ongoing innovative interventions and policy change efforts that were identified through conference presentations, media coverage, and websites. FINDINGS Numerous cross-sectional studies have consistently demonstrated that some attributes of built and food environments are associated with physical activity, healthful eating, and obesity. Residents of walkable neighborhoods who have good access to recreation facilities are more likely to be physically active and less likely to be overweight or obese. Residents of communities with ready access to healthy foods also tend to have more healthful diets. Disparities in environments and policies that disadvantage low-income communities and racial minorities have been documented as well. Evidence from multilevel studies, prospective research, and quasi-experimental evaluations of environmental changes are just beginning to emerge. CONCLUSIONS Environment, policy, and multilevel strategies for improving diet, physical activity, and obesity control are recommended based on a rapidly growing body of research and the collective wisdom of leading expert organizations. A public health imperative to identify and implement solutions to the obesity epidemic warrants the use of the most promising strategies while continuing to build the evidence base.