Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partial least squares for discrimination

Partial least squares (PLS) was not originally designed as a tool for statistical discrimination. In spite of this, applied scientists routinely use PLS for classification and there is substantial empirical evidence to suggest that it performs well in that role. The interesting question is: why can a procedure that is principally designed for overdetermined regression problems locate and emphasize group structure? Using PLS in this manner has heurestic support owing to the relationship between PLS and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and the relationship, in turn, between CCA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). This paper replaces the heuristics with a formal statistical explanation. As a consequence, it will become clear that PLS is to be preferred over PCA when discrimination is the goal and dimension reduction is needed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis and Perspective: Comparison of Insulin Diluent Leakage Post-Injection Using Two Different Needle Lengths and Injection Volumes in Obese Patients with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The effects of needle gauge and length on the efficacy and tolerability of insulin injection therapy are becoming better understood. This analysis discusses some of these effects and comments on a new study by Ignaut and Fu in this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology on the effects of needle length on insulin diluent leakage from injection sites.
Role of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene on non alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance in patients with obesity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Some studies have pointed to a role of UCP3 in the regulation of biochemical and fat parameters in overweight patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene (rs1800849) on histological changes and insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MATERIAL AND METHODS A population of 39 patients with NAFLD was recruited in a cross sectional study. The inclusion criterion was the presence of biopsy-proven NAFLD. A biochemical analysis of serum (lipid profile, and adipocytokines) was measured. An anthropometric analysis was assessed, too. Genotype of UCP3 gene -55CT was studied. RESULTS Nine patients (23%) had the genotype 55CC (mutant type group) and 30 patients (77%) 55CT (wild type group). TT genotype was not detected. Insulin levels and HOMA were higher in mutant type group (insulin: 17.7 +/- 10.9 mUI/L vs 11.9 +/- 4.7 mUI/L/; p < 0.05) and (HOMA: 3.2 +/- 1.8 vs 4.5 +/- 2.8; p < 0.05). Adiponectin levels were lower in mutants type group (36.5 +/- 28.1 ug/ml vs 21.5 +/- 18.6 ug/ml:p < 0.05). Moderate-severe inflammation and moderate-severe steatosis were more frequent in mutant type group, with higher levels of insulin and lower levels of adiponectin than mild stages. CONCLUSION -55CT genotype is associated with high insulin resistance and low adiponectin levels than -55CC genotype. Patients with -55CT genotype have more frequently moderate-severe steatosis and inflammation than -55CC genotype.
Face Reconstruction from a Single Image using a Single Reference Face Shape

Human faces are remarkably similar in global properties, including size, aspect ratio, and location of main features, but can vary considerably in details across individuals, gender, race, or due to facial expression. We propose a novel method for 3D shape recovery of faces that exploits the similarity of faces. Our method obtains as input a single image and uses a mere single 3D reference model of a different person’s face. Classical reconstruction methods from single images, i.e. shape-from-shading, require knowledge of the reflectance properties and lighting as well as depth values for boundary conditions. Recent methods circumvent these requirements by representing input faces as combinations (of hundreds) of stored 3D models. We propose instead to use the input image as a guide to ”mold” a single reference model to reach a reconstruction of the sought 3D shape. Our method assumes Lambertian reflectance and uses harmonic representations of lighting. It has been tested on images taken under controlled viewing conditions as well as on uncontrolled images downloaded from the internet, demonstrating its accuracy and robustness under a variety of imaging conditions and overcoming significant differences in shape between the input and reference individuals including differences in facial expressions,
Controversial effect on Erk activation of some cytotoxic drugs in human LOVO colon cancer cells

Abstract The use of some classic antibiotics was recently shown to inhibit growth and to induce apoptosis in human LOVO colon cancer cells. In this study, we describe that ciprofloxacin (CI), trimebutine maleate (COL) and tiemonium methylsulfate (VIS) greatly inhibit cell proliferation in vitro. Proliferation inhibition reached its maximum at 10–4 M, 10–3 M and 10–2 M, respectively, for COL, CI and VIS. Moreover, phospho-extracellular-regulated kinase was totally abrogated in non-apoptotic cytotoxicity of VIS but decreases or increases in the apoptotic inhibition, respectively, of COL and CI treatments. Abbreviations: CI: ciprofloxacin; COL: trimebutine maleate; VIS: tiemonium methylsulfate; MAPK/Erk: mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular-regulated kinase
A tropical mechanism for Northern Hemisphere deglaciation

We investigate the role of the tropics in the melting and reforming of the Laurentide ice sheet on glacial timescales using an atmospheric general circulation model. It is found that warming of tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from glacial boundary conditions, as observed at the end of glacial periods, causes a large increase in summer temperatures centered over the ice sheet‐forming regions of Canada. This high‐latitude response to tropical change is due to relatively small changes in the circulation of the extratropical atmosphere, which lead to changes in the vertical profiles of temperature and moisture in the extratropical atmosphere. The maximum perturbation in the summer radiative balance over the Laurentide ice sheet (>25 W/m2) due to the changes in the local atmospheric water vapor inventory is much larger than that induced by glacial to interglacial changes in atmospheric CO2. These changes via an atmospheric bridge between the tropics and extratropics represent a mechanism for deglaciations which is consistent with timing constraints. In contrast, a cold perturbation to tropical SST for interglacial boundary conditions results in only very small changes in the delivery of water vapor to the Laurentide region, and therefore almost no cooling over the Canadian region. This implies that tropical SSTs could play a more important role in melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere than in reforming them, possibly providing a mechanism which could help to explain the rapidity of deglaciation relative to glacial inception.
Comparison of the efficacy of levocetirizine 5 mg and desloratadine 5 mg in chronic idiopathic urticaria patients

Background: Nonsedating H1‐antihistamines are recommended for the treatment of urticaria by the recent EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF guidelines. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, after 4 weeks of treatment, with levocetirizine 5 mg and desloratadine 5 mg, both once daily in the morning, in symptomatic chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) patients.
Chordality properties on graphs and minimal conceptual connections in semantic data models

In this paper the problem of linding a minimal connection among a set of objects that represent conceptual entities in a semantic data model is investigated. If we represent the conceptual structure of reality by means of a graph this problem corresponds to finding a Steiner tree over a given set of nodes. In this paper the case of bipartite graphs is considered and it is shown that, if the bipartite graphs satisfy suitable chordality properties, the Steiner problem may be solved in polynomial time. Furthermore, it is shown that such chordality properties correspond to the concepts of acyclicity that are usually considered in the relational model of data.
Lung cancer mortality in a site producing hard metals

OBJECTIVES To study the mortality from lung cancer from exposures to hard metal dust at an industrial site producing hard metals—pseudoalloys of cobalt and tungsten carbide—and other metallurgical products many of which contain cobalt. METHODS A historical cohort was set up of all subjects who had worked for at least 3 months on the site since its opening date in the late 1940s. A full job history could be obtained for 95% of the subjects. The cohort was followed up from January 1968 to December 1992. The exposure was assessed by an industry specific job exposure matrix (JEM) characterising exposure to hard metal dust from 1 to 9 and other possibly carcinogenic exposures as present or absent. Smoking information was obtained by interview of former workers. Standard lifetable methods and Poisson regression were used for the statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS Mortality from all causes was close to the expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.02, 399 deaths) whereas mortality from lung cancer was significantly increased among men (SMR 1.70; 46 deaths, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.24 to 2.26). By workshop, lung cancer mortality was significantly higher than expected in hard metal production before sintering (SMR 2.42; nine deaths; 95%CI 1.10 to 4.59) and among maintenance workers (SMR 2.56; 11 deaths; 95%CI 1.28 to 4.59), whereas after sintering the SMR was lower (SMR 1.28; five deaths; 95%CI 0.41 to 2.98). The SMR for all exposures to hard metal dust at a level >1 in the JEM was in significant excess (SMR 2.02; 26 deaths; 95%CI 1.32 to 2.96). The risks increased with exposure scores, duration of exposure, and cumulative dose reaching significance for duration of exposure to hard metal dust before sintering, after adjustment for smoking and known or suspected carcinogens. CONCLUSION Excess mortality from lung cancer was found among hard metal production workers which cannot be attributed to smoking alone. This excess occurred mostly in subjects exposed to unsintered hard metal dust.
Handover defects: comparison of construction and post-handover housing defects

Although inspections occur during construction or at handover, customers do not normally participate. This situation creates a gap between the quality perceived by both contractors and customers. An analysis of 52 552 handover defects in 2179 flats in Spain is presented which identified their nature, the building element and trade where these defects are located. These results are compared with previous studies that analysed defects detected during the construction stage and those that remain after handing over the building to the client. The research reveals that structural defects are resolved during construction due to existing quality standards. However, other aesthetic and functional defects remain and/or arise at handover. Some defects are not resolved until customers complain after they first occupy the dwelling. Many functional defects arise due to the lack of involvement of end users in the early project stages.
Abolition of Valproate-Derived Choleresis in the Mrp2 Transporter-Deficient Rat

Valproic acid (VPA) is a major therapeutic agent in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders. It is metabolized in humans and rats primarily along two pathways: direct glucuronidation to yield the acyl glucuronide (VPA-G) and β-oxidation. We have shown much earlier in the Sprague-Dawley rat that i.v. administration of sodium valproate (NaVPA) caused a marked choleresis (mean of 3.3 times basal bile flow after doses of 150 mg/kg), ascribed to the passive osmotic flow of bile water following excretion of VPA-G across the canalicular membrane. Active biliary pumping of anionic drug conjugates across the canalicular membrane is now believed to be attributable to transporter proteins, in particular Mrp2, which is deficient in the TR– (a mutant Wistar) rat. In the present study, normal Wistar and Mrp2-deficient TR– rats were dosed i.v. with NaVPA at 150 mg/kg. In the Wistar rats, there was a peak choleretic effect of about 3.2 times basal bile flow, occurring at about 30 to 45 min postdose (as seen previously with Sprague-Dawley rats). In TR– rats given the same i.v. dose, there was no evidence of postdose choleresis. The choleresis was correlated with the excretion of VPA-G into bile. In Wistar rats, 62.8 ± 7.7% of the NaVPA dose was excreted in bile as VPA-G, whereas in TR– rats, only 2.0 ± 0.6% of the same dose was excreted as VPA-G in bile (with partial compensatory excretion of VPA-G in urine). This study underlines the functional (bile flow) consequences of biliary transport of xenobiotic conjugated metabolites.
The Oxford handbook of sexual conflict in humans

Contents Part One: Introduction to Sexual Conflict 1. Sexual Conflict in Humans Todd K. Shackelford, Aaron T. Goetz, James R. Liddle, and Lance S. Bush 2. Sexual Conflict in Non-human Animals Joris M. Koene Part Two: Sexual Conflict prior to Mating 3. Integrating Social Exchange and Sexual Selection Theory in the Study of Mating Interactions Charles Crawford and Catherine Salmon 4. Sexual Conflict in Mating Strategies Norman P. Li, Oliver Sng, and Peter K. Jonason 5. Intimate Partner Violence and Life History Strategy Aurelio Jose Figueredo, Paul Robert Gladden, and Connie J. A. Beck 6. Sexual Conflict and Sexual Coercion in Comparative Evolutionary Perspective Melissa Emery Thompson and Louis C. Alvarado 7. Romantic Jealousy and Sexual Conflict Achim Schutzwohl 8. When Intersexual Conflict Leads to Intrasexual Competition: The Reproductive Suppression Hypothesis Catherine Salmon and Charles Crawford 9. It's Not All Conflict: Relationship Maintenance Psychology Jennifer Leo, Saul L. Miller, and Jon K. Maner Part Three: Sexual Conflict during Mating 10. Sexual Conflict and the Ovulatory Cycle Benedict C. Jones, Lisa M. DeBruine, Anthony C. Little, and David R. Feinberg 11. Is Female Orgasm a Covert Mate Choice Mechanism? David A. Puts and Khytam Dawood 12. Sperm Competition and Sexual Conflict William F. McKibbin 13. Sexual Conflict, Infidelity, and Vaginal/Semen Chemistry Gordon G. Gallup, Jr., Rebecca L. Burch, and Loni R. Petricone 14. Sexual Motivation in Mateships and Sexual Conflict Dietrich Klusmann and Wolfgang Berner 15. Sexual Conflict and Partner Rape Joseph A. Camilleri and Vernon L. Quinsey 16. Sexual Conflict in Mateships: From Mate-Retention to Murder Farnaz Kaighobadi, Todd K. Shackelford, and Aaron T. Goetz Part Four: Sexual Conflict after Conception 17. Sexual Conflict and the Operational Sex Ratio Daniel J. Kruger and Carey J. Fitzgerald 18. Sexual Conflict and Paternal Resemblance: Insight from Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience Steven M. Platek and J. Ryan Porter 19. Deadbeat Dads: Evolutionary Perspectives on Providing Child Support Todd K. Shackelford, Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford, David P. Schmitt, and Catherine Salmon 20. Mate Expulsion and Sexual Conflict T. Joel Wade Part Five: Conclusion 21. Spheres of Sexual Conflict Gregory Gorelik and Todd K. Shackelford
Response of Archaeal Communities in the Rhizosphere of Maize and Soybean to Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations

Background Archaea are important to the carbon and nitrogen cycles, but it remains uncertain how rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO2]) will influence the structure and function of soil archaeal communities. Methodology/Principal Findings We measured abundances of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA and amoA genes, phylogenies of archaeal 16S rRNA and amoA genes, concentrations of KCl-extractable soil ammonium and nitrite, and potential ammonia oxidation rates in rhizosphere soil samples from maize and soybean exposed to ambient (∼385 ppm) and elevated (550 ppm) [CO2] in a replicated and field-based study. There was no influence of elevated [CO2] on copy numbers of archaeal or bacterial 16S rRNA or amoA genes, archaeal community composition, KCl-extractable soil ammonium or nitrite, or potential ammonia oxidation rates for samples from maize, a model C4 plant. Phylogenetic evidence indicated decreased relative abundance of crenarchaeal sequences in the rhizosphere of soybean, a model leguminous-C3 plant, at elevated [CO2], whereas quantitative PCR data indicated no changes in the absolute abundance of archaea. There were no changes in potential ammonia oxidation rates at elevated [CO2] for soybean. Ammonia oxidation rates were lower in the rhizosphere of maize than soybean, likely because of lower soil pH and/or abundance of archaea. KCl-extractable ammonium and nitrite concentrations were lower at elevated than ambient [CO2] for soybean. Conclusion Plant-driven shifts in soil biogeochemical processes in response to elevated [CO2] affected archaeal community composition, but not copy numbers of archaeal genes, in the rhizosphere of soybean. The lack of a treatment effect for maize is consistent with the fact that the photosynthesis and productivity of maize are not stimulated by elevated [CO2] in the absence of drought.
Effectiveness of beta-glucan collagen for treatment of partial-thickness burns in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Beta glucan collagen matrix (BGC), which combines the carbohydrate beta-glucan with collagen, has been used as a temporary coverage for adult partial thickness burns with reported good results. Observed advantages of BGC coverage include reduction of pain, improved healing, and better scar appearance. Potentially even more important in children is the elimination of painful daily dressing changes to the burned epithelial surface, as well as decreased fluid loss. This report details the authors' 2-year experience with BGC in a pediatric burn center. METHODS Retrospective chart review of 225 consecutive pediatric patients treated at our institution between 1997 and 1999 identified 43 patients (19%) with suspected partial thickness burns treated with BGC as the primary wound dressing. BGC was applied to a debrided burn wound and secured with steri-strips, kerlix, and an ace wrap. After 24 hours, adherence of the BGC was confirmed and then left open to air. RESULTS The most common cause of burn injury was scald (61%), followed by flame (37%), and contact (2%). The average age of patients was 5.5 years (range, 6 weeks to 16 years) and mean percent total body surface area burned was 9.3% (1% to 35%). Thirty-four patients (79%) had the BGC remain intact while the wound healed underneath, with excellent cosmetic results, minimal analgesic requirements, and no need for repetitive dressing changes. Nine patients (21%) had the BGC removed before wound healing: 6 patients lost the BGC because of progression of the burn to full thickness, 2 had BGC nonadherence over a joint, and 1 had an unexplained nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS Partial-thickness burns in children can be effectively treated with BGC with good results, even in infants and toddlers. BGC markedly simplifies wound care for the patient and family and seems to significantly decrease postinjury pain.
The Social Psychology of Creativity: The Importance of Peer Social Processes for Students' Academic and Artistic Creative Activity in Classroom Contexts.

Research indicates that creative work is sensitive to the social context of the creator. This paper presents an examination of how peer social processes, as shaped by the structure of the work process, influence children's creative activity in classroom contexts. A nine-month comparative observational study of three fifth-grade classes in three different schools, with teachers committed to fostering children's creative abilities, made comparisons both within and across classrooms. The four-phase structure of data collection ensures reliability and validity. Methods of data collection and analysis suggested by Schatzman and Strauss (1973) and Erickson (1985) were used. Marshall and Weinstein's (1984) model for ascertaining the meaning of interactive social processes for participants' actions also provided an analytical framework. The research indicates that different classes function in fundamentally different ways, and the characteristic manner of functioning seems to shape peer social processes which in turn influence creative work. The variance among classes and within individual classes appears to be related to the structure of the work process established by teachers and students. By examining the fluctuations and subtleties of peer interactions, it became apparent that mutual, rather than hierarchical, work processes tend to have greater congruence with the process of being creative, and foster peer interactions which facilitate creative work. Increasing insight into the sensitivity of the creative process to the social context will enable educators to establish learning environments conducive to and supportive of creative activity.
Two levels of help for B cell alloantibody production

We have examined whether T cell stimulation by direct or indirect pathways contributes to alloantibody production by B cells after major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-disparate skin graft rejection in mice. Experiments were performed using normal mice, MHC class II- deficient mice, MHC class II-deficient mice with an intact peripheral CD4+ cell population (due to expression of class II antigens only on thymic epithelium), mice lacking the cytoplasmic tail of their MHC class II antigens, and mice depleted of CD4+ cells by anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody treatment. Depletion of recipient CD4+ cells reduced alloantibody production to barely detectable levels. Absence of donor MHC class II antigens did not affect the production of either immunoglobulin (Ig)M or IgG antibodies directed at class I alloantigens. Absence of recipient MHC class II antigens, however, led to production of only IgM but not IgG antibodies, even if the recipients had an intact CD4+ cell population. Absence of the cytoplasmic tail of the recipient's MHC class II antigens led to the production of slightly reduced amounts of IgG antibody. These findings indicate that (a) CD4+ cells are essential helper cells for B cell alloantibody production; (b) production of IgM alloantibody can occur with help from CD4+ cells, which recognize either donor class II antigens or modified recipient class II antigens; (c) isotype switching from IgM to IgG alloantibody requires help from CD4+ cells activated by antigens presented by recipient MHC class II molecules; and (d) the cytoplasmic domain of the recipient MHC class II molecules may be involved in the mechanism that leads to isotype switching by B cells. Thus, there are two levels of CD4-mediated help available for B cells responding to alloantigens: one (involving a noncognate interaction) can produce B cell activation, and a second (involving a cognate interaction) is required for differentiation and IgG alloantibody production.