Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approximation from linear spaces and applications to complexity

We develop an analytic framework based on linear approximation and duality and point out how a number of apparently diverse complexity related questions { on circuit and communication complexity lower bounds, as well as pseudorandomness, learnability, and general combinatorics of Boolean functions { t neatly into this framework. This isolates the analytic content of these problems from their combinatorial content and clariies the close relationship between the analytic structure of questions. (1) We give several results that convert a statement of nonapproxima-bility from spaces of functions to statements of approximability. We point how that crucial portions of a signiicant number of the known complexity-related results can be uniied and given shorter and cleaner proofs using these general theorems. (2) We give several new complexity-related applications, including circuit complexity lower bounds, and results concerning pseudorandom-ness, learning, and combinatorics of Boolean functions. i) Even the smallest improvements in weighted threshold circuit complexity bounds have been very hard to obtain. We obtain an exponential lower bound for certain depth-2 weighted linear thresholds that compute AC 0 3] functions that are invariant under a speciic class of permutations. The weighted thresholds we consider have lower-level gates that belong to a class of threshold functions that is closed under the same class of permutations. We also obtain new exponential lower bound for certain weighted thresholds of And and \\at" functions. ii) We give fairly strong, new applications about sets of pseudorandom strings for complexity classes: In particular, we come surprisingly close to falsifying the Linial Nisan ('90) conjecture that polylogwise indep distributions fool AC 0 functions, and go further towards completely settling the question one way or the other. Further results give general ways of nding sets of pseudorandom strings 2 Sitharam for complexity classes. iii) We give results concerning the derandomization of a randomized learning algorithm that learn functions from general complexity classes. We give two diierent ways of achieving this kind of deran-domization, and relate it to nding sets of pseudorandom strings for the complexity class being learnt.
MUSCULOSKELETAL PRESENTATION OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA AT GENERAL HOSPITAL DOUALA, CAMEROON.

UNLABELLED Background: very little is known about musculoskeletal features of multiple myeloma (MM) in Africa. OBJECTIVES To describe the musculoskeletal features of multiple myeloma at presentation in a tertiary health care centre in sub-Saharan Africa. DESIGN A Cross sectional observational study. SETTING The Douala General Hospital, Cameroon from 2007 to 2013. SUBJECTS A patient was said to have MM according the current international consensus criteria for diagnosis and staging of MM. Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, solitary plamocytoma and other haematologic malignancies were excluded. RESULTS A total of 62 patients were diagnosed with multiple myeloma, 63% were female. Mean age was 57 ± 12,1 (19-81) years. Musculoskeletal presentation included spine bone pains (75.6%); vertebral fracture with spinal cord compression in 46.8 %. Other clinical features at presentation included anaemia (70.93%), and nephropathy (17.74%). The average percentage of bone marrow plasmacytosis at diagnosis was 33% and Immunoglobulin G was found in 86% of patients. Sixty three per cent of patients were diagnosed at stage III of the disease. CONCLUSION Presence of bone pain and anaemia should alert the clinician to investigate along the lines of multiple myeloma. Majority of the patients have osteolytic lesions and pathologic fractures at the time of diagnosis.
High proportion of mutant K-ras gene in pancreatic juice of patients with pancreatic cystic lesions

BACKGROUND/AIMS It was recently reported that the quantitative analysis of mutant K-ras gene in pancreatic juice could be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. This methodology was applied to patients with pancreatic cystic lesions. METHODS DNA was extracted from pancreatic juice collected at the time of endoscopy with injection of secretin. The ratio of the K-ras mutant allele to the wild-type allele was measured by two methods to detect and semiquantify mutant K-ras gene: polymerase chain reaction/preferential homoduplex formation assay and enriched polymerase chain reaction/enzyme linked mini-sequence assay. RESULTS A high frequency of K-ras mutation was detected (more than 2% of all K-ras genes) in six of 14 patients (43%) with pancreatic cysts. This frequency was similar to those detected in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and in intraductal papillary neoplasms of the pancreas. In contrast, the frequency of mutation was low (less than 2%) in patients without either pancreatic cysts or pancreatic neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS K-rasgene mutation may be derived from duct cells in the pancreas with a high potential for tumorigenesis. Therefore careful follow up of patients with a pancreatic cyst is recommended if they are found to have a high level of the mutant gene in the pancreatic juice.
Seroprevalence to polio in personnel at a virology institute.

OBJECTIVES To determine the level of immunity to polio in adult personnel at the National Institute for Virology (NIV), South Africa. METHODS Polio neutralizing antibodies results on 776 NIV staff members tested between 1979 and 1999 and seroresponses in seronegative personnel given a booster vaccination were analysed. RESULTS 613 of the 776 (79%) personnel had neutralizing polio antibodies to all three types, independent of age, gender, race or job category. Types 1 and 2 antibodies were found in 92% and 94%, respectively, but type 3 was less prevalent at 87%. Of the 93 persons seronegative to one or more types, 13 failed to respond to the first booster vaccination and 8 remained as non-responders after two booster vaccinations. Of the 19 personnel who were bled four days after booster vaccination, 16 (84%) had already developed an antibody response. CONCLUSIONS Most (79%) adult laboratory personnel retained detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies to polio, independent of age, gender, race or job category, and even in those persons lacking detectable antibodies, most (84%) responded with a secondary immune response. Nevertheless the immunity gap, particularly to type 3, mandates routine screening of personnel potentially exposed to wild-type polio virus and a booster vaccination for seronegatives.
Cognitive components of a mathematical processing network in 9-year-old children

We determined how various cognitive abilities, including several measures of a proposed domain-specific number sense, relate to mathematical competence in nearly 100 9-year-old children with normal reading skill. Results are consistent with an extended number processing network and suggest that important processing nodes of this network are phonological processing, verbal knowledge, visuo-spatial short-term and working memory, spatial ability and general executive functioning. The model was highly specific to predicting arithmetic performance. There were no strong relations between mathematical achievement and verbal short-term and working memory, sustained attention, response inhibition, finger knowledge and symbolic number comparison performance. Non-verbal intelligence measures were also non-significant predictors when added to our model. Number sense variables were non-significant predictors in the model and they were also non-significant predictors when entered into regression analysis with only a single visuo-spatial WM measure. Number sense variables were predicted by sustained attention. Results support a network theory of mathematical competence in primary school children and falsify the importance of a proposed modular ‘number sense’. We suggest an ‘executive memory function centric’ model of mathematical processing. Mapping a complex processing network requires that studies consider the complex predictor space of mathematics rather than just focusing on a single or a few explanatory factors.
The moderating effects of perceived emotional benefits on inhalant initiation among American Indian and white youth.

BACKGROUND Inhalant use co-occurs with emotional distress. Inhalant use may be a means of self-medicating distress, but more recent study focuses on the cognitive appraisal of personal benefits of using substances. OBJECTIVES Objectives were to determine whether emotional distress variables predict early versus later initiation of inhalant use, whether such relationships differ between American Indian and white youth, and whether perceived emotional benefits of inhalant use moderates the relationship between emotional distress and stage of inhalant initiation. METHODS Data were from a study of 7-12th grade American Indian youth who live on or near reservations. A total of 856 students from 32 schools surveyed from 2009 to 2012, who reported having used inhalants (American Indian = 683; white = 173), were surveyed about age first use of inhalants, levels of emotional distress, and perceived benefits of inhalant use. SEM models were used to assess study objectives. RESULTS Depression and anger did not discriminate between early and later initiation. Lower self-esteem related to earlier initiation, but only among American Indian students. Perceived emotional benefits of inhalant use did not moderate the relationship between self-esteem and stage of initiation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Among middle school and high school American Indian and white youth living on or near American Indian reservations, emotional distress is not strongly related to stage of inhalant initiation. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE These findings raise questions about the timing and strength of relationship between emotional distress and early inhalant initiation. Prospective studies are need to assess this relationship more fully.
Self-Reported Use and Reasons among the General Population for Using Sports Nutrition Products and Dietary Supplements

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of dietary supplements (DS’s) and sport nutrition product (SNPs) among the general population, to identify differences for gender, age, and exercise frequency, and to determine the main reasons for use. The study was designed as a web-based questionnaire in a representative sample (n = 1544) of the Dutch population. Sixty-two percent (n = 957) of the respondents reported having used DS’s, SNPs, or both in the last twelve months. Women and older people reported the highest DS use. The highest use of SNPs was reported by regular exercising men and younger people with improving sporting performance as their main objective. Most frequently reported DS’s were multivitamins (28%) and vitamin C (19%)—for SNPs, energy drinks (22%) and isotonic drinks (19%). Health considerations were the most important motivation (DS’s 90% and SNPs 52%), but also performance was substantially reported (DS’s 14% and SNPs 35%). A substantial group of sedentary respondents also reported the use of SNPs. This study confirms that DS’s, SNPs, or both are widely used among the general population. Both health as performance are important reasons for use. It can be questioned whether the use of SNPs fits all respondents’ physical activity needs.
T2 hypointensity in the deep gray matter of patients with multiple sclerosis: a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging study.

CONTEXT While gray matter T2 hypointensity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been associated with physical disability and clinical course, previous studies have relied on visual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments. OBJECTIVE To quantitatively determine if T2 hypointensity is associated with conventional MRI and clinical findings in MS. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING University-affiliated community-based hospital. SUBJECTS Sixty patients with MS and 50 controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES T2 intensities of the substantia nigra, red nucleus, thalamus, putamen, globus pallidus, and caudate; third ventricular width; total brain T1 (hypointense) and T2 (hyperintense) lesion volumes; Expanded Disability Status Scale (physical disability) score; and disease course. RESULTS Deep gray matter T2 hypointensity was present in patients with MS in all structures (P<.005) except for the substantia nigra. T2 hypointensity was associated with third ventricle enlargement and higher T2 but not T1 plaque load. The regression model predicting third ventricle width included caudate T2 hypointensity (P =.006). The model predicting T2 lesion load included globus pallidus T2 hypointensity (P =.001). Caudate T2 hypointensity was the only variable associated with disability score in regression modeling (P =.03). All T2 hypointensities differentiated the secondary progressive from the relapsing-remitting clinical courses. The final model (P<.001) predicting clinical course retained T2 hypointensity of the thalamus, caudate, and putamen but not MRI plaques or atrophy. CONCLUSIONS Gray matter T2 hypointensity in MS is associated with brain atrophy and is a stronger predictor of disability and clinical course than are conventional MRI findings. While longitudinal studies are warranted, these results suggest that pathologic iron deposition is a surrogate marker of the destructive disease process.
Inflammatory Processes Associated with Canine Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is an important pathology in humans and also in dogs. While the molecular disease mechanisms are well investigated in humans, little is known about the inflammatory mediators in naturally occurring canine IVDH. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the involved proinflammatory cytokines in human IVDH are also key cytokines in canine IVDH and thus to elucidate the suitability of the dog as a model for human trials. 59 samples from 25 dogs with surgically confirmed thoracolumbar IVDH were collected and classified in three subgroups: herniated (H), affected non-herniated (NH) disc, and adjacent non-affected (NA) disc. Discs from 11 healthy dogs acted as controls (C). Samples were analyzed for IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α expression (qPCR/ELISA) as well as cell infiltration and activation of the MAP kinase pathways (immunohistochemistry). Gene and protein expression of all key cytokines could be detected in IVDH affected dogs. Canine IVDH was significantly associated with a higher gene expression of IL-6 (H > C, NH > C) and TNF-α (H > C, NH > C, NA > C) and a significant down-regulation of IL-1β (H < C). Dogs with spontaneous pain had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA compared to those with pain arising only upon palpation. An inter-donor comparison (H and HN relative to NA) revealed a significant increase of IL-6 gene expression (H > NA, NH > NA). IL-8 (H > C, NA > C) and TNF-α (NH > C) protein levels were significantly increased in diseased dogs while inversely, IL-6 protein levels were significantly higher in patients with better clinical outcome. Aside from resident IVD cells, mostly monocytes and macrophages were found in extruded material, with concomitant activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase p38 in the majority of samples. Dogs with spontaneous IVDH might provide a useful model for human disc diseases. Although the expression of key cytokines found in human IVDH was also demonstrated in canine tissue, the inflammatory mechanisms accompanying canine IVDH diverges partially from humans, which will require further investigations in the future. In dogs, IL-6 seems to play an important pathological role and may represent a new potential therapeutic target for canine patients.
&bgr;1-Integrin Is Essential for Vasoregulation and Smooth Muscle Survival In Vivo

Objective—Integrins contribute to vascular morphogenesis through regulation of adhesion and assembly of the extracellular matrix. However, the role of &bgr;1-integrin in the mature vascular wall is less clear. Approach and Results—We sought to determine the function of &bgr;1-integrin in mature smooth muscle cells in vivo using a loss of function approach by crossing a tamoxifen-inducible sm22&agr;Cre line to a floxed &bgr;1-integrin transgenic line. Adult mice lacking smooth muscle &bgr;1-integrin survived only 10 weeks post induction. The deletion of &bgr;1-integrin resulted in profound loss of vasomotor control. Histological analysis revealed progressive fibrosis in arteries with associated apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, which was not rescued by adventitial stem cells. Smooth muscle cell apoptosis was detected in arteries with dead cells replaced primarily by collagen. Despite the catastrophic effects on vascular smooth muscle, the deleted visceral smooth muscle remained viable with the exception of a short portion of the colon, indicating that vascular but not visceral smooth muscle is particularly sensitive to changes in &bgr;1-integrin. Conclusions—This study reveals an essential function of &bgr;1-integrin in the maintenance of vasomotor control and highlights a critical role for &bgr;1-integrin in vascular, but not visceral, smooth muscle survival.
Some aspects of cell division in saccharomyces cerevisiae.

SUMMARY: Two types of scar are formed on yeast cells as a result of the division process: a single ‘birth scar’ marking the point at which the cell was joined to the parent, and a variable number of ‘bud scars’ marking the points at which buds have been formed. A regular sequence of bud formations occurs. Cultures grown from the first and last buds appear to be identical.
Under Diagnosis of Adult ADHD

Objective: To explore the literature focusing on cultural influences in the diagnosis of adult ADHD and respective societal burden. Method: A review of the literature over the past 10 years was performed using OVID. Results: Although numerous articles focused on diagnosis and burden of adult ADHD, few focused on cultural factors influencing diagnosis. Like other mental health disorders, cultural and social perspectives contribute to our understanding of adult ADHD and may play a significant role in the diagnosis and varying acceptance of the condition. Moreover, adults with ADHD may underestimate the impact of ADHD symptoms, and in many cases have learned to compensate for ADHD related impairments by choosing lifestyles that help compensate for symptoms. Some adults with ADHD may appear to function well, however they may expend excessive amounts of energy to overcome impairments; and they may be distressed by ongoing symptoms such as restlessness, mood instability and low self-esteem. Research shows that ADHD can be detrimental to many areas of life including work, daily activities, social and family relationships and psychological and physical well-being. Patient-reported impairments in productivity due to poor time management, procrastination, and distractibility can translate into significant indirect costs and decreased quality of life. ADHD in adults is also associated with increased accidents, medical resource utilization, antisocial behaviour and drug alcohol abuse. Conclusion: The substantial societal burden of adult ADHD highlights the importance of providing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to accurate diagnosis and of improving the low recognition of the disorder in many world regions.
Prebreakdown and breakdown phenomena under uniform field in liquid nitrogen

We present a study of breakdown and prebreakdown phenomena (streamers) in liquid nitrogen under quasi uniform electric field, under ac and impulse voltage. Streamers preceding breakdown are studied by high speed visualization and recording of emitted light, with hydrostatic pressure up to 0.5 MPa. In these conditions, breakdown is mainly due to negative streamers initiated at lower voltage than positives. This result is in contrast with previous measurements carried out in point plane gaps: in this geometry breakdown is due to positive streamers since their propagation is much easier. It is also shown that the ratio of impulse to ac breakdown voltage in LN2 is surprisingly low, close to 1. Practical consequences for the design of high voltage insulation in superconducting systems are then discussed.
Analysis of Multiple Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Genomes Confirms That the Species Is Relatively Conserved but Has Potentially Important Strain Variation

The intestinal spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is an important pathogen in swine, causing mucohemorrhagic colitis in a disease known as swine dysentery. Based on the detection of significant linkage disequilibrium in multilocus sequence data, the species is considered to be clonal. An analysis of the genome sequence of Western Australian B. hyodysenteriae strain WA1 has been published, and in the current study 19 further strains from countries around the world were sequenced with Illumina technology. The genomes were assembled and aligned to over 97.5% of the reference WA1 genome at a percentage sequence identity better than 80%. Strain regions not aligned to the reference ranged between 0.2 and 2.5%. Clustering of the strain genes found on average 2,354 (88%) core genes, 255 (8.6%) ancillary genes and 77 (2.9%) unique genes per strain. Depending on the strain the proportion of genes with 100% sequence identity to WA1 ranged from 85% to 20%. The result is a global comparative genomic analysis of B. hyodysenteriae genomes revealing potential differential phenotypic markers for numerous strains. Despite the differences found, the genomes were less varied than those of the related pathogenic species Brachyspira pilosicoli, and the analysis supports the clonal nature of the species. From this study, a public genome resource has been created that will serve as a repository for further genetic and phenotypic studies of these important porcine bacteria. This is the first intra-species B. hyodysenteriae comparative genomic analysis.
Quantitative contribution of NHE2 and NHE3 to rabbit ileal brush-border Na+/H+exchange.

Intestinal neutral NaCl absorption, which is made up of brush-border (BB) Na+/H+exchange linked to BB Cl-/[Formula: see text]exchange, is up- and downregulated as part of digestion and diarrheal diseases. Glucocorticoids stimulate ileal NaCl absorption and BB Na+/H+exchange. Intestinal BB contains two Na+/H+exchanger isoforms, NHE2 and NHE3, but their relative roles in rabbit ileal BB Na+/H+exchange has not been determined. A technique to separate the contribution of NHE2 and NHE3 to ileal BB Na+/H+exchange activity was standardized by using an amiloride-related compound, HOE-694. Under basal conditions, both NHE2 and NHE3 contribute ∼50% to ileal Na+/H+exchange. Glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone) increase BB Na+/H+exchange (2.5 times) but increase only ileal NHE3 activity (4.1 times), without an effect on NHE2 activity. Thus ileal BB Na+/H+exchange in animals treated with glucocorticoids is 69% via NHE3. A quantitative Western analysis for NHE3 was developed, using as an internal standard a fusion protein of the COOH-terminal 85 amino acids of NHE3 and maltose binding protein. Glucocorticoid treatment increased the amount of BB NHE3. The quantitative Western analysis showed that NHE3 makes up 0.018% of ileal BB protein in control rabbits and 0.042% (2.3 times as much) in methylprednisolone-treated rabbits. Methylprednisolone treatment did not alter the amount of ileal BB NHE2 protein. NHE3 turnover number was estimated to be 458 cycles/s under basal conditions and 708 cycles/s in glucocorticoid-treated ileum. Thus methylprednisolone stimulates ileal BB Na+/H+exchange activity only by an effect on NHE3 and not on NHE2; it does so primarily by increasing the amount of BB NHE3, although it also increases the NHE3 turnover number.