Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of serum amyloid a in adipocyte-macrophage cross talk and adipocyte cholesterol efflux.

CONTEXT Acute phase serum amyloid A (A-SAA) is secreted by hepatocytes in response to injury and is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines. In obese humans, adipocytes are also a major contributor to circulating A-SAA levels. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the role and regulation of A-SAA in human adipose tissue (AT). DESIGN An approach combining microarrays and the FunNet bioinformatics tool was applied to human AT fractions (i.e. adipocytes vs. stroma vascular fraction) to hypothesize genes and functions related to A-SAA. Experiments with human AT from 37 obese subjects and human multipotent adipose-derived stem (hMADS) cells were used to confirm the microarray driven hypotheses. RESULTS Microarray analysis highlighted the relationship between A-SAA and stroma vascular fraction inflammatory genes, and between A-SAA and adipocyte-expressed ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. We confirmed that serum amyloid A (SAA) protein is expressed in sc AT of obese subjects (n = 37, body mass index = 49.3 +/- 1.5 kg/m(2)) and showed that SAA protein expression correlated with adipocyte size (R = 0.44; P = 6.10(-3)), macrophage infiltration (R = 0.61; P = 10(-4)), and ABC subfamily A1 protein expression (R = 0.43; P = 9.10(-3)). IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and human AT macrophage-conditioned medium significantly induced A-SAA secretion (from 2.6 to 7.6 fold) in hMADS cells. Recombinant SAA induced cholesterol ABC subfamily A1-dependent efflux from hMADS adipocytes by 4.3-fold in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION This work provides original insight suggesting that A-SAA is a player in the dialogue between hypertrophied adipocytes and macrophages through its regulation of adipocyte cholesterol efflux.
Effect of combined support for people with dementia and carers versus regular day care on behaviour and mood of persons with dementia: results from a multi‐centre implementation study

A previous study in Amsterdam showed that combined family support in the Meeting Centres Support Programme, in which dementia patients and their carers are both supported by one professional staff member, is more effective in influencing behaviour problems and mood of dementia patients living in the community than non‐integrated support, such as day care only.
Convergence in Multiagent Coordination, Consensus, and Flocking

We discuss an old distributed algorithm for reaching consensus that has received a fair amount of recent attention. In this algorithm, a number of agents exchange their values asynchronously and form weighted averages with (possibly outdated) values possessed by their neighbors. We overview existing convergence results, and establish some new ones, for the case of unbounded intercommunication intervals.
Monovalency and the status of RTR

Cases of ATR harmony are numerous and widely documented in the literature, whereas languages in which RTR is harmonically active (e.g. Wolof) have received a good deal less attention. A description based on the bivalent feature [±ATR] is capable of representing both harmony types, but fails to encode naturally the clear difference in typological markedness separating the two. On the other hand, an Element Theory approach — employing melodic headship as the basis of tongue root distinctions — is unable to provide an adequate account of RTR harmony without compromising privativeness. In response, I propose a tier geometry analysis (Backley 1995) which succeeds in capturing the alternation facts of both ATR and RTR harmony systems, together with the markedness characteristics of each.
Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index for predicting survival after liver transplantation

The benefit of liver transplantation (LT) is determined not only by the severity of illness, but also by the likelihood of posttransplantation survival. Current models are unable to accurately predict which patients will have the best posttransplant survival. We hypothesized that the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), which includes nine comorbidities, could be used to predict survival after LT. We performed a retrospective study of 624 patients undergoing LT, with a median follow‐up time of 4.3 yr. Data on pretransplant comorbidities were collected, along with potential confounders such as age, gender, etiology, and severity of liver disease. Proportional hazards analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of each variable on posttransplantation survival, and to recalibrate the CCI for use in the liver transplant population. A total of 40% of patients had 1 or more comorbidities prior to transplantation. In the multivariate analysis, CCI was an independent predictor of posttransplantation survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.21 per unit, P < 0.001). When the individual components of the CCI were analyzed, coronary disease (HR 2.33), diabetes (HR 1.38), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR 2.67), connective tissue disease (HR 2.32), and renal insufficiency (HR 1.61) were all independent predictors of posttransplant survival. The CCI was recalibrated using a simplified weighting system to create the CCI‐orthotopic LT (OLT), which improved the likelihood ratio chi‐squared value from 15 to 24 for predicting posttransplantation survival. In conclusion, survival after LT is diminished in patients with pretransplantation coronary disease, diabetes, COPD, connective tissue disease, and renal insufficiency. We demonstrate the usefulness of a modified comorbidity index, the CCI‐OLT, for predicting posttransplantation survival. Liver Transpl 13:1515–1520, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
Dry Eye Disease Patients with Xerostomia Report Higher Symptom Load and Have Poorer Meibum Expressibility

The purpose of the study was to investigate if xerostomia (dry mouth) is associated with symptoms and signs of dry eye disease (DED). At the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic, patients with symptomatic DED with different etiologies were consecutively included in the study. The patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological work-up and completed self-questionnaires on symptoms of ocular dryness (Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI] and McMonnies Dry Eye Questionnaire) and the Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) questionnaire (SSQ). Three hundred and eighteen patients (52% women and 48% men) with DED were included. Patient demographics were: 0 to 19 years (1%), 20 to 39 (25%), 40 to 59 (34%), 60 to 79 (35%) and 80 to 99 (5%). Xerostomia, defined as “daily symptoms of dry mouth the last three months” (as presented in SSQ) was reported by 23% of the patients. Female sex was more common among patients with xerostomia (81%) than among non-xerostomia patients (44%; P<0.001). Patients with xerostomia (60 ± 15 years) were older than those without xerostomia (51 ± 17; P<0.001). The use of prescription drugs was more prevalent among xerostomia patients (65%) than among non-xerostomia patients (35%; P<0.021; adjusted for age and sex). Patients with xerostomia had a higher OSDI score (19.0 ± 10.0) than those without xerostomia (12.9 ± 8.0; P<0.001). Moreover, xerostomia patients had more pathological meibum expressibility (0.9 ± 0.7) than those without xerostomia (0.7 ± 0.8; P = 0.046). Comparisons of OSDI and ocular signs were performed after controlling for the effects of sex, age and the number of systemic prescription drugs used. In conclusion, xerostomia patients demonstrated a higher DED symptom load and had poorer meibum expressibility than non-xerostomia patients.
Study of turbulent characteristics of flow around island in a braided river model using quadrant technique

Abstract Turbulent flow characteristics around the braid bar are not thoroughly studied till now. In the current paper, the quadrant method is used to analyze the turbulence characteristics of flow around the island in a braided river model. An attempt has been made herein to relate the depositional characteristics around the island in the braided river model to the sweep and ejection events. The new parameter bursting ratio is defined in this paper; it is observed that the bursting ratio is strongly related with the erosion/deposition characteristics around the island in a braided river model. The transition probability of 16 possible bursting movements are computed for four different experimental condition, the results shows that the, movements are closely related with the erosion/deposition magnitude around the bar in a braided river model. The values of sweep ratio and ejection ratio at 12 different points around the island for four different experimental conditions are computed using Box Cox analysis. The results found that the sweep and ejection ratio have positive linear correlation with scouring/ deposition magnitude, thus sweep and ejection ratio are important parameters which are related to the scouring/ deposition magnitude around the island in a braided river model.
Interrogating Type 2 Diabetes Genome-Wide Association Data Using a Biological Pathway-Based Approach

OBJECTIVE Recent genome-wide association studies have resulted in a dramatic increase in our knowledge of the genetic loci involved in type 2 diabetes. In a complementary approach to these single-marker studies, we attempted to identify biological pathways associated with type 2 diabetes. This approach could allow us to identify additional risk loci. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used individual level genotype data generated from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) type 2 diabetes study, consisting of 393,143 autosomal SNPs, genotyped across 1,924 case subjects and 2,938 control subjects. We sought additional evidence from summary level data available from the Diabetes Genetics Initiative (DGI) and the Finland-United States Investigation of NIDDM Genetics (FUSION) studies. Statistical analysis of pathways was performed using a modification of the Gene Set Enrichment Algorithm (GSEA). A total of 439 pathways were analyzed from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene Ontology, and BioCarta databases. RESULTS After correcting for the number of pathways tested, we found no strong evidence for any pathway showing association with type 2 diabetes (top Padj = 0.31). The candidate WNT-signaling pathway ranked top (nominal P = 0.0007, excluding TCF7L2; P = 0.002), containing a number of promising single gene associations. These include CCND2 (rs11833537; P = 0.003), SMAD3 (rs7178347; P = 0.0006), and PRICKLE1 (rs1796390; P = 0.001), all expressed in the pancreas. CONCLUSIONS Common variants involved in type 2 diabetes risk are likely to occur in or near genes in multiple pathways. Pathway-based approaches to genome-wide association data may be more successful for some complex traits than others, depending on the nature of the underlying disease physiology.
The effect of cigarette plain packaging on individuals' health warning recall.

PURPOSE To examine the extent to which increasingly plainer packaging might increase recall of health warnings. DESIGN A 4 (pack ID levels) x 2 (smoking status: smokers and non-smokers) between-subjects design in which participants were randomly assigned to view one package. SAMPLE Two hundred and twenty students from three universities in Nova Scotia, Canada, participated in the survey. MEASURES Participants were asked to recall the health warning on their package. ANALYSIS A sequential binary logistic regression test to examine whether plain packaging and/or smoking status affects health warning recall. RESULTS The odds of recalling the correct health warnings were significantly higher for the two plainest packages relative to the original package. The odds of recalling the correct health warning were also higher for non-smokers relative to smokers. CONCLUSIONS The results provide compelling evidence that health warnings on plain packages can be more easily recalled.
Reconsidering the number of offspring per gamete donor in the Dutch open-identity system

The introduction of legislation in the Netherlands in 2004 enabling donor offspring to identify and make contact with their donors has led to a need to reconsider the number of offspring that an individual semen donor may produce. To this end, we made a survey on the limits for offspring per donor in 29 different countries, distinguishing between systems with anonymous and open-identity sperm donation. We counted donations as individual offspring conceived, or as the number of women/families helped, by a single donor. The interests of the various participants in gamete donation in open-identity and anonymous systems are considered with some of the basic assumptions and interactions between the different parties that might be used to formulate reasonable guidelines. A number of recommendations are made.
Mutation operators for cognitive agent programs

Testing multi-agent systems is a challenge, since by definition such systems are distributed, and are able to exhibit autonomous and flexible behaviour. One specific challenge in testing agent programs is developing a collection of tests (a "test suite") that is adequate for testing a given agent program. This requires a way of assessing the adequacy of a test suite. A well-established technique for assessing test suite adequacy is the use of mutation testing, where a test suite is assessed in terms of its ability to distinguish a program from its variants ("mutants"). However, work in this area has focussed largely on the mutation of procedural and object-oriented languages. This paper proposes a set of (systematically derived) mutation operators for AgentSpeak.
The Triple Helix Model and the Knowledge-Based Economy

The Triple Helix model of university-industry-government relations can be generalized from a neo-institutional model of networks of relations to a neo-evolutionary model of how three selection environments operate upon one another. Two selection mechanisms operating upon each other can mutually shape a trajectory, while three selection environments can be expected to generate a regime. The neo-evolutionary model enables us to appreciate both organizational integration in university-industry-government relations and differentiation among functions like wealth creation, knowledge production, and legislation. The specification of systems of innovations in terms of nations, sectors, and regions can then be formulated as empirical questions: is synergy generated among functions in a network of relations? Thus, this Triple Helix model enables us to study the knowledge base of an economy in terms of a trade-off between locally stabilized and (potentially locked-in) trajectories versus techno-economic regimes at the global level.
A camp-based intervention targeting independence among individuals with spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE To design and evaluate a camp-based intervention, the goal of which was to increase independence among children, adolescents, and adults with spina bifida. METHODS An intervention targeting independence was embedded within a typical week long camp experience. The intervention consisted of the following: collaborative (i.e., parent and camper) goal identification, group sessions consisting of psycho-education and cognitive tools, and goal monitoring by camp counselors. Camper and parent report of demographic variables, goal attainment, spina bifida knowledge, and independence were gathered. Interventionist report of adherence to the treatment manual was also collected. RESULTS Campers made significant gains in individual goals, management of spina bifida responsibilities, and independence with general spina bifida tasks, with medium effect sizes observed in goal attainment. CONCLUSIONS Results indicated that significant progress was made on individually oriented goals from pre- to post-camp. Design issues are discussed.
A general framework for weighted sum-rate and common-rate optimization

In this paper, we propose a framework for solving a class of optimization problems encountered in a range of power allocation problems in wireless relay networks. In particular, power allocation for weighted sum-rate and common-rate optimization problems fall in this framework. Subject to some conditions on the region of feasible powers, the optimal solutions are analytically found. The optimization problems are posed in a general form and their solutions are shown to have applications in a number of practical scenarios. Numerical results verify the optimality of the analytical approach.
Incidence and Prognostic Importance of Acute Renal Failure After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background—In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the modern era, the incidence and prognostic implications of acute renal failure (ARF) are unknown. Methods and Results—With a retrospective analysis of the Mayo Clinic PCI registry, we determined the incidence of, risk factors for, and prognostic implications of ARF (defined as an increase in serum creatinine [Cr] >0.5 mg/dL from baseline) after PCI. Of 7586 patients, 254 (3.3%) experienced ARF. Among patients with baseline Cr <2.0, the risk of ARF was higher among diabetic than nondiabetic patients, whereas among those with a baseline Cr >2.0, all had a significant risk of ARF. In multivariate analysis, ARF was associated with baseline serum Cr, acute myocardial infarction, shock, and volume of contrast medium administered. Twenty-two percent of patients with ARF died during the index hospitalization compared with only 1.4% of patients without ARF (P <0.0001). After adjustment, ARF remained strongly associated with death. Among hospital survivors with ARF, 1- and 5-year estimated mortality rates were 12.1% and 44.6%, respectively, much greater than the 3.7% and 14.5% mortality rates in patients without ARF (P <0.0001). Conclusions—The overall incidence of ARF after PCI is low. Diabetic patients with baseline Cr values <2.0 mg/dL are at higher risk than nondiabetic patients, whereas all patients with a serum Cr >2.0 are at high risk for ARF. ARF was highly correlated with death during the index hospitalization and after dismissal.
Differences in High and Low Anxiety Sensitive Women's Responses to a Laboratory‐Based Cold Pressor Task

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) has been linked to a variety of disabling chronic health conditions, including pain‐related conditions. A recent study has found that healthy women with high AS reported significantly higher levels of sensory and affective pain on an experimental cold pressor task compared to women with low AS. However, this study found no differences between AS groups for pain tolerance or pain threshold. In the present study, which was designed to replicate and extend these findings, 90 undergraduate university women were selected for inclusion in 1 of 2 AS groups (high or low) based on their screening scores on a 16‐item measure of AS. Participants were tested individually on a lab‐based cold pressor task using a variety of self‐report and observer‐measured variables. Data analyses revealed that, as expected, the high AS participants reported significantly more fear in response to the cold pressor on a relevant item of the McGill Pain Questionnaire – Short Form (SF‐MPQ) than did the low AS participants. Also as expected, the high AS participants reported more pain in response to the cold pressor on the Present Pain Index (PPI) of the SF‐MPQ than did the low AS participants. High AS participants did not differ from low AS participants on other aspects of the cold pressor response (e.g. pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain recovery). These results support the role of pain‐related fear as a mediating variable between AS and increased perceived pain intensity.
Domain Specific Case Tool for ICT-Enabled Service Design

One major problem in service design is the limited availability of information gathered during the development process. In particular, information on end-user requirements is difficult for designers, developers, and maintainers to access. Here, we provide a mechanism that supports the gathering and modeling of various types of information throughout the service and software development life cycle. As various existing tools focus on a particular part of the life cycle, essential information is not available, or it is more difficult to obtain in later stages. The linkage between information collected in the different stages is often lost. The implemented tool support enables the modeling of requirements; the abstraction of these requirements in the form of the required system functionalities, which can also be modeled; and the connection with component-based software engineering to support the design of ICT-enabled services.
Tight junctions potentiate the insulative properties of small CNS myelinated axons

Claudin family proteins form the physical barriers of tight junctions (TJs) and regulate paracellular diffusion across polarized epithelia. In addition to these heterotypic TJs, claudin 11 forms autotypic TJs comprising the radial component of central nervous system myelin. The exact function of these TJs has been unclear, although their location at the membrane perimeter is well sited to regulate diffusion between the interstitium and intramyelinic space. In this study, we demonstrate that claudin 11 affords rapid nerve conduction principally for small diameter myelinated axons. Claudin 11–null mice have preserved myelin and axonal architecture, but as much as a 60% decrease in conduction. They also have increased action potential thresholds and activated internodal potassium channels. These data indicate that TJs modulate the biophysical properties of myelin. Computational modeling reveals that claudin 11 reduces current flow through myelin and moderates its capacitive charging. Together, our data shed new light on myelin structural components and our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of this membrane.
DEFINITION OF A NEW FORMULA FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE TOTAL HEIGHT OF THE FAN SHELL PINNA NOBILIS IN THE MIRAMARE MARINE PROTECTED AREA (TRIESTE, ITALY)

Four years of monitoring of Pinna nobilis population in Miramare Marine Protected Area (Trieste, Italy) have led to the development of a new equation for indirect calculation of total shell height (Htot) for this bivalve, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. As the formulas listed in the cited literature are not corroborated by in situ measured growth data, it was necessary to describe a specific formula for Miramare population. This exponential equation was called MirExp. A specific growth curve has also been created with this formula and the data collected every year from 2008 to 2011. This curve shows that in Miramare P. nobilis grows faster in its early years than what is reported in other studies carried out in Croatia and Spain. Population density is also the highest among those reported in consulted papers, which make reference to studies conducted in various Mediterranean protected and non-protected areas.