Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of IL-18 and IL-10 Polymorphisms on Tacrolimus Elimination in Chinese Lung Transplant Patients

Aims. The influence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) polymorphisms on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics had been described in liver and kidney transplantation. The expression of cytokines varied in different kinds of transplantation. The influence of IL-10 and IL-18 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetic parameters of tacrolimus remains unclear in lung transplantation. Methods. 51 lung transplant patients at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were included. IL-18 polymorphisms (rs5744247 and rs1946518), IL-10 polymorphisms (rs1800896, rs1800872, and rs3021097), and CYP3A5 rs776746 were genotyped. Dose-adjusted trough blood concentrations (C/D ratio, mg/kg body weight) in lung transplant patients during the first 4 postoperative weeks were calculated. Results. IL-18 rs5744247 allele C and rs1946518 allele A were associated with fast tacrolimus metabolism. Combined analysis showed that the numbers of low IL-18 mRNA expression alleles had positive correlation with tacrolimus C/D ratios in lung transplant recipients. The influence of IL-18 polymorphisms on tacrolimus C/D ratios was observed in CYP3A5 expresser recipients, but not in CYP3A5 nonexpresser recipients. No clinical significance of tacrolimus C/D ratios difference of IL-10 polymorphisms was found in our data. Conclusions. IL-18 polymorphisms may influence tacrolimus elimination in lung transplantation patients.
RAD sequencing and genomic simulations resolve hybrid origins within North American Canis

Top predators are disappearing worldwide, significantly changing ecosystems that depend on top-down regulation. Conflict with humans remains the primary roadblock for large carnivore conservation, but for the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), disagreement over its evolutionary origins presents a significant barrier to conservation in Canada and has impeded protection for grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the USA. Here, we use 127 235 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) of wolves and coyotes, in combination with genomic simulations, to test hypotheses of hybrid origins of Canis types in eastern North America. A principal components analysis revealed no evidence to support eastern wolves, or any other Canis type, as the product of grey wolf × western coyote hybridization. In contrast, simulations that included eastern wolves as a distinct taxon clarified the hybrid origins of Great Lakes-boreal wolves and eastern coyotes. Our results support the eastern wolf as a distinct genomic cluster in North America and help resolve hybrid origins of Great Lakes wolves and eastern coyotes. The data provide timely information that will shed new light on the debate over wolf conservation in eastern North America.
Adjustable navigation functions for unknown sphere worlds

This paper introduces an algorithm for automatically tuning analytic navigation functions for sphere worlds. The tuning parameter must satisfy a lower bound to ensure collision avoidance and convergence. Until now analytic navigation functions have been manually tuned, although existence of a lower bound had been proved. A theoretical improvement on this lower bound is provided and the method is extended to unbounded manifolds. Then the required formulas are derived and algorithm described. So the lower bound is here evaluated in terms of sphere world centers and radii. Automated tuning enables completely unattended solution of any navigation problem in unknown sphere worlds and a priori known worlds which belong to the sphere world diffeomorphism class.
JavaScript Malicious Codes Analysis Based on Naive Bayes Classification

Given the security threats of JavaScript malicious codes attacks in the Internet environment, this paper presents a method that uses the Naive Bayes classification to analyze JavaScript malicious codes. The method uses many malicious and normal sample data, and trains the classifier using extended API symbol features with a high degree of predictability of malicious codes, which contain variable names, function names, string constants and comments extracted from the JavaScript codes. Experiments show that the analysis method of JavaScript malicious codes is effective and achieves high accuracy.
Viscoelasticity of biofilms and their recalcitrance to mechanical and chemical challenges

We summarize different studies describing mechanisms through which bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth resist mechanical and chemical challenges. Acknowledging previous microscopic work describing voids and channels in biofilms that govern a biofilms response to such challenges, we advocate a more quantitative approach that builds on the relation between structure and composition of materials with their viscoelastic properties. Biofilms possess features of both viscoelastic solids and liquids, like skin or blood, and stress relaxation of biofilms has been found to be a corollary of their structure and composition, including the EPS matrix and bacterial interactions. Review of the literature on viscoelastic properties of biofilms in ancient and modern environments as well as of infectious biofilms reveals that the viscoelastic properties of a biofilm relate with antimicrobial penetration in a biofilm. In addition, also the removal of biofilm from surfaces appears governed by the viscoelasticity of a biofilm. Herewith, it is established that the viscoelasticity of biofilms, as a corollary of structure and composition, performs a role in their protection against mechanical and chemical challenges. Pathways are discussed to make biofilms more susceptible to antimicrobials by intervening with their viscoelasticity, as a quantifiable expression of their structure and composition.
An Integrated Approach to Assess the Impacts of Tourism on Community Development and Sustainable Livelihoods

A key challenge in sustainable tourism is to develop economically viable enterprises that provide livelihood benefits to local communities while protecting indigenous cultures and environments. Such ventures are difficult to assess due to a general lack of effective assessment and monitoring methods, a lack of consensus about methodology and the inability of some monitoring systems to incorporate all elements of tourism impacts. This article presents a structured integrated assessment approach to assess the impacts of initiatives that purport to deliver net livelihood benefits to communities living adjacent to or within the tourism destination. The approach has been developed to enable generic use in different geographical contexts taking into account a variety of aspects including ownership structure, levels of employment, infrastructure, governance, and sustainable livelihoods (SL). The article examines two pilot case studies conducted in Maputaland, South Africa, to reflect on the implementation and theoretical underpinnings of the protocol.
Lung volume equipment and infection control. ERS/ATS Workshop Report Series. European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society.

As part of the consensus workshop regarding lung volume measurements for the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society, this background paper reviews mechanisms and risks of cross-infection resultant from performing measurements of absolute lung volumes either by body plethysmography, gas dilution, or gas wash-out techniques. Published reports of infection attributable to the performance of lung volume measurements are extremely rare. Nevertheless, because some infectious agents could be transmitted during measurements of lung volumes, and because of widespread concerns both of patients and some medical personnel about the risks of transmission of infections during inspiration from equipment used by other patients, a variety of measures have been advocated to minimize the risks of cross-infection. Workshop participants were divided in opinion about whether such testing does indeed pose significant risk of cross-infection, and also could not agree regarding optimal measures to prevent cross-infection. Although there is conflicting information regarding the efficacy of particulate filters for protecting cross-contamination of downstream equipment and tubing, the author recommends that such filters be used when making lung volume measurements, but only if the filter has acceptably low resistance (e.g. <0.15 kPa x L(-1) x s (1.5 cmH2O x L(-1) x s)), and the measurements are adjusted for the impact of the added resistance and dead space.
Collaborative Multifeature Fusion for Transductive Spectral Learning

Much existing work of multifeature learning relies on the agreement among different feature types to improve the clustering or classification performance. However, as different feature types could have different data characteristics, such a forced agreement among different feature types may not bring a satisfactory result. We propose a novel transductive learning approach that considers multiple feature types simultaneously to improve the classification performance. Instead of forcing different feature types to agree with each other, we perform spectral clustering in different feature types separately. Each data sample is then described by a co-occurrence of feature patterns among different feature types, and we apply these feature co-occurrence representations to perform transductive learning, such that data samples of similar feature co-occurrence pattern will share the same label. As the spectral clustering results in different feature types and the formed co-occurrence patterns influence each other under the transductive learning formulation, an iterative optimization approach is proposed to decouple these factors. Different from co-training that need to iteratively update individual feature type, our method allows all feature types to collaborate simultaneously. It can naturally handle multiple feature types together and is less sensitive to noisy feature types. The experimental results on synthetic, object, and action recognition datasets all validate the advantages of our method compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Effects of Adaptation Rate and Noise Suppression on the Intelligibility of Compressed-Envelope Based Speech

Temporal envelope is the primary acoustic cue used in most cochlear implant (CI) speech processors to elicit speech perception for patients fitted with CI devices. Envelope compression narrows down envelope dynamic range and accordingly degrades speech understanding abilities of CI users, especially under challenging listening conditions (e.g., in noise). A new adaptive envelope compression (AEC) strategy was proposed recently, which in contrast to the traditional static envelope compression, is effective at enhancing the modulation depth of envelope waveform by making best use of its dynamic range and thus improving the intelligibility of envelope-based speech. The present study further explored the effect of adaptation rate in envelope compression on the intelligibility of compressed-envelope based speech. Moreover, since noise reduction is another essential unit in modern CI systems, the compatibility of AEC and noise reduction was also investigated. In this study, listening experiments were carried out by presenting vocoded sentences to normal hearing listeners for recognition. Experimental results demonstrated that the adaptation rate in envelope compression had a notable effect on the speech intelligibility performance of the AEC strategy. By specifying a suitable adaptation rate, speech intelligibility could be enhanced significantly in noise compared to when using static envelope compression. Moreover, results confirmed that the AEC strategy was suitable for combining with noise reduction to improve the intelligibility of envelope-based speech in noise.
Student Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Screeners: Evidence for Reliability, Validity, and Usability in Elementary Schools

Universal screening for emotional and behavioral risk in schools facilitates early identification and intervention for students as part of multitiered systems of support. Early identification has the potential to mitigate adverse outcomes of emotional and behavioral disorders. The purpose of this study was to extend existing research on the technical adequacy and usability of two universal screening measures, the Student Internalizing Behavior Screener (SIBS) and the Student Externalizing Behavior Screener (SEBS). Findings provided evidence for the reliability, concurrent validity, short-term predictive validity, and usability of the SIBS and SEBS in a sample of 154 elementary school students and their teachers. As a secondary focus, the technical adequacy and usability of the SIBS and SEBS was compared with that of two well-researched universal behavioral screening measures (Behavioral and Emotional Screening System and Social Skills Improvement System–Performance Screening Guide). Results indicated that the SIBS and SEBS as a combined measure performed similar to the criterion screening measures.
Efficacy of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients with/without EGFR-Mutation: Evidence Based on Recent Phase III Randomized Trials

Background EGFR mutation might be a predictive factor for applying EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs, including gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLS) patients. Thus, it is necessary to pool previous trials to compare the effect of EGFR-TKIs versus cytotoxic chemotherapy in EGFR mutation positive (mut+) and negative (mut−) patients. Material/Methods This study identified 8 first-line and 9 second-line phase III trials in databases. Hazard ratio (HR) was pooled to assess the risk of progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), while odds ratio (OR) was pooled to assess objective response, disease control, and toxicity of EGFR-TKIs verses chemotherapy. Results In EGFR mut+ patients, EGFR-TKIs were associated with significantly lower risk of disease progression in the first-line setting, but this trend was only observed in the gefitinib group, not in the erlotinib group in the second-line setting. In EGFR mut− patients, gefitinib and erlotinib had significantly higher risk of disease progression in first-line and second-line setting, respectively. Compared with chemotherapy, the effects of EGFR-TKIs on OS in both first-line and second-line settings were not evident. Regarding toxicity, EGFR-TKIs had significantly higher risk of rash and lower hematological toxicity compared with chemotherapy. Conclusions All of the 3 EGFR-TKIs and gefitinib alone regimens had better effects in prolonging PFS in EGFR mut+ patients in first-line and second-line setting, respectively, but chemotherapy seemed more effective in EGFR mut− patients than EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, accurate identification of EGFR mutation status is useful to decide on an appropriate regimen for treatment of NSCLC patients.
Innovation generation in supply chain relationships: A conceptual model and research propositions

Innovation generation has increasingly been recognized as an outcome of interaction between a firm and various outside entities. According to this view, supplier involvement and alliances are routes to innovation generation. Despite this realization, there is a dearth of research, both conceptual and empirical, focusing on innovation generation in buyer-seller relationships in supply chains. In an attempt to fill this void, this article develops a conceptual model of innovation generation in buyer-seller relationships in upstream supply chains. The authors propose that innovation generation in supply chain relationships, both incremental and radical, is a consequence of interactions between buyers and sellers. They also delineate factors internal and external to the relationship that moderate the link between interaction and innovation generation. Finally, the authors discuss managerial implications of their research and offer guidelines for future empirical research.
Digital Background Calibration of Capacitor-Mismatch Errors in Pipelined ADCs

A digital background calibration technique is proposed to correct for the linearity error due to capacitor mismatches in pipelined analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). During the normal ADC operation, it randomly swaps the feedback capacitor with the sampling capacitor(s) in the multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) of each pipeline stage in the pipelined ADC. The capacitor-mismatch errors in all pipeline stages are then concurrently measured and corrected in the digital domain. The proposed technique can be utilized in both single-bit and multibit MDACs. Owing to its simple iterative algorithm for capacitor-mismatch error calibration, its implementation requires minimal additional digital hardware. Behavioral simulation results show that, using the proposed calibration technique, the signal-to-noise-plus-distortion ratio is improved from 10 to 12.5bits and the spurious-free dynamic range is increased from 65 to 95 dB, in a 13-bit pipelined ADC with sigma=0.25% capacitor mismatches
Association between Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, Peers, Parental Controls and Sexual Behavior in Adolescentsat High School, Surakarta

Background : Sexual behavior among teenagers is worrying. It is influenced of permissive attitude shift, causing violation of norms, ethics in society. One factor is the opening of information about sex freely circulating in the community. In Surakarta adolescent at high school never did kiss the lips of 10.53%, a kiss in 5.6%, 4.23% masturbation and sexual intercourse 3.09%. This study aimed to determine the association of self-esteem, self-efficacy, peers, parents, with premarital sexual behavior in adolescent high school in Surakarta. Subjects and Method : This was an observational analytic study with cross sectional design. A total sample of 113 respondents was taken by using proportional random sampling. The population was in ten high schools of 1663 subjects in Surakarta. Data analysis used linear regression. Results : There is a relationship of self-esteem with premarital sexual behavior (b1= -0.202; 95% CI= -0.39 to -0.01; p= 0.036) were significantly higher self-esteem then reduce premarital sexual behavior. There is a relationship of self-efficacy with premarital sexual behavior (b2= -0.168; 95% CI= -0.33 to -0.01; p= 0.041) were significantly higher self-efficacy students then reduce premarital sexual behavior. There are peer relationships with premarital sexual behavior (b3= -0.271; 95% CI= -0.51 to -0.04; p= 0.024) were significantly better peer support and will reduce premarital sexual behavior. There is a parental relationship with premarital sexual behavior (b4= -0.236; 95% CI= -0.44 to -0.03; p= 0.025), the better the more parental supervision reduce premarital sexual behavior. There is a relationship of self-esteem, self-efficacy, peers, parents with premarital sexual behavior (F = 10.053; 95% CI= 24.16 to 43.61; p <0.001; R 2 = 24.4%) Conclusion : Self-esteem, self-efficacy, peers, and parents are associated with premarital sexual behavior in adolescents of 24.4%. Seventy six point six percent is influenced by other variables outside the research model. Keywords : Self-esteem, Self Efficacy, Peers, Parents Supervision, Premarital sex behavior Correspondence: Winarni. School of Public Health, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2016), 1(1): 46-53 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2016. 01.01. 07
Therapists’ self-reported chronic strategies of disconnection in everyday life and in counselling and psychotherapy: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore how therapists believe they may relationally disconnect from other people and their clients, with an overall objective of developing methods for enhancing relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy. Participants were 168 trainee and practicing therapists, who listed their chronic strategies of disconnections (CSoDs) in everyday relationships, and then rated the presence of these CSoDs in their therapeutic work. Thirty-nine categories of self-reported everyday CSoDs emerged, organised into seven domains. Most prevalent were behavioural, passive and intrapsychic strategies. Over half of the CSoDs were rated as being present in therapy to a minimal extent, most commonly passive CSoDs, disingenuous CSoDs and humour. Male therapists, and trainee therapists, were most likely to identify their CSoDs as present in therapy.
Excess LIGHT Contributes to Placental Impairment, Increased Secretion of Vasoactive Factors, Hypertension, and Proteinuria in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, a prevalent hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is believed to be secondary to uteroplacental ischemia. Accumulating evidence indicates that hypoxia-independent mediators, including inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, are associated with preeclampsia, but it is unclear whether these signals directly contribute to placental damage and disease development in vivo. We report that LIGHT, a novel tumor necrosis factor superfamily member, is significantly elevated in the circulation and placentas of preeclamptic women compared with normotensive pregnant women. Injection of LIGHT into pregnant mice induced placental apoptosis, small fetuses, and key features of preeclampsia, hypertension and proteinuria. Mechanistically, using neutralizing antibodies specific for LIGHT receptors, we found that LIGHT receptors herpes virus entry mediator and lymphotoxin &bgr; receptor are required for LIGHT-induced placental impairment, small fetuses, and preeclampsia features in pregnant mice. Accordingly, we further revealed that LIGHT functions through these 2 receptors to induce secretion of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and endothelin-1, 2 well-accepted pathogenic factors in preeclampsia, and thereby plays an important role in hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant mice. Lastly, we extended our animal findings to human studies and demonstrated that activation of LIGHT receptors resulted in increased apoptosis and elevation of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 secretion in human placental villous explants. Overall, our human and mouse studies show that LIGHT signaling is a previously unrecognized pathway responsible for placental apoptosis, elevated secretion of vasoactive factors, and subsequent maternal features of preeclampsia, and reveal new therapeutic opportunities for the management of the disease.
Measuring the knowledge spillovers in France departments : Comparison to a Spatial Econometrics Approach

This paper aims to measure knowledge spillovers using two methods across 94 French departments. In the first part, we estimate the reduced form of the innovation-generating equation for French departments by distinguishing the effects of R&D carried out in several geographic areas (for example from 0 to 200km, from 200 to 400 km, and from more than 400); the purpose of this first method is to measure the presence of knowledge spillovers. In the second part of our work, the analysis uses spatial econometrics to measure knowledge spillovers and to question the assumptions on the relationship between spatial proximity and innovation. We will first detect the existence of spatial correlation by calculating the Moran's test with different contiguity matrices, and then we use a spatial model to model innovation data; the purpose of this second method is to show that knowledge spillovers are localized. The mains focus in this study is to compare the results found by using these two methods. This allows us to measure geographical proximity and to show that spillovers are localized.