Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disparate Relationships Between Blood Pressure and Left Ventricular Mass in Patients With and Without Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

The relationship between casual blood pressure and left ventricular (LV) mass has been reported to be fairly weak in hypertensive patients. In this study we analyzed this relationship using noninvasive devices to monitor blood pressure for 24 hours in ambulatory patients and M-mode echocardiography to determine LV mass. Among the 33 patients with hypertension, 21 had echocardiographic LV hypertrophy (LV mass >250 g). Patients with LV hypertrophy did not differ significantly from patients without hypertrophy with respect to age or casual systolic or diastolic blood pressure. The averages of whole-day systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 146 ± 17 (SD) over 90 ± 12 and 136 ± 16 over 89 ± 12 mm Hg, respectively. The relationship between whole-day average systolic blood pressure and LV mass was significantly positive (r = 0.66, p < 0.05) in patients without hypertrophy but was not significant in patients with LV hypertrophy (r = −0.24). Similarly, the relationship between whole-day average diastolic blood pressure and LV mass was significantly positive in the former group (r = 0.64, p < 0.05) but significantly negative in hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy (r = −0.67, p < 0.01). Thus, blood pressure correlates positively with LV mass only in patients without cardiac hypertrophy. In hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy, factors additional to the high blood pressure itself must participate in the regulation of LV mass.
A finite element flow formulation applied to the numerical analysis of melting processes

A finite element formulation for the analysis of problems with isothermal phasechange effects including natural convection is presented. In this work, the thermally coupled flow equations, written in terms of its primitive variables, are solved using a generalized streamline operator technique that enables the use of equal interpolation functions for the unknowns: velocity, pressure and temperature. In order to validate the proposed methodology, this coupled formulation is applied to the numerical analysis of a test considered nowadays as a benchmark problem: the melting process of gallium in a recipient with different geometric aspect ratios. Marcela A. Cruchaga and Diego J. Celentano. 2
Adaptive Information Extraction from Text by Rule Induction and Generalisation

(LP)2 is a covering algorithm for adaptive Information Extraction from text (IE). It induces symbolic rules that insert SGML tags into texts by learning from examples found in a user-defined tagged corpus. Training is performed in two steps: initially a set of tagging rules is learned; then additional rules are induced to correct mistakes and imprecision in tagging. Induction is performed by bottom-up generalization of examples in the training corpus. Shallow knowledge about Natural Language Processing (NLP) is used in the generalization process. The algorithm has a considerable success story. From a scientific point of view, experiments report excellent results with respect to the current state of the art on two publicly available corpora. From an application point of view, a successful industrial IE tool has been based on (LP)2. Real world applications have been developed and licenses have been released to external companies for building other applications. This paper presents (LP)2, experimental results and applications, and discusses the role of shallow NLP in rule induction.
Keystroke-level model for advanced mobile phone interaction

The design of applications using mobile devices needs a different quality assessment than those known for desktop applications. Of the many aspects that have to be taken into account, one important criterion is the average time users need to complete a task. For interactions with the mouse, keyboard or touch screens, there exist models that predict interaction times like Fitts' law or the Keystroke-Level Model (KLM). This paper shows parallels to these models for advanced interactions with mobile phones targeted at pervasive services, including near field communication as well as built-in cameras and sensors. Applications can be evaluated with respect to user performance time without having a prototype running on the phone. To accomplish that, we extend the known KLM by identifying basic interaction elements for mobile phones and give estimates for expert user performance derived from several user tests.
Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.

CONTEXT Little is known about lifetime prevalence or age of onset of DSM-IV disorders. OBJECTIVE To estimate lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication. DESIGN AND SETTING Nationally representative face-to-face household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 using the fully structured World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. PARTICIPANTS Nine thousand two hundred eighty-two English-speaking respondents aged 18 years and older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Lifetime DSM-IV anxiety, mood, impulse-control, and substance use disorders. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence estimates are as follows: anxiety disorders, 28.8%; mood disorders, 20.8%; impulse-control disorders, 24.8%; substance use disorders, 14.6%; any disorder, 46.4%. Median age of onset is much earlier for anxiety (11 years) and impulse-control (11 years) disorders than for substance use (20 years) and mood (30 years) disorders. Half of all lifetime cases start by age 14 years and three fourths by age 24 years. Later onsets are mostly of comorbid conditions, with estimated lifetime risk of any disorder at age 75 years (50.8%) only slightly higher than observed lifetime prevalence (46.4%). Lifetime prevalence estimates are higher in recent cohorts than in earlier cohorts and have fairly stable intercohort differences across the life course that vary in substantively plausible ways among sociodemographic subgroups. CONCLUSIONS About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV disorder sometime in their life, with first onset usually in childhood or adolescence. Interventions aimed at prevention or early treatment need to focus on youth.
A wholesale power trading simulator with learning capabilities

The U.S. wholesale power market comprises a large commodity market. The growth in power trading is due to the ongoing deregulation policy of the electric power industry. Most deregulation scenarios indicate a further separation of power production from transmission and retailing. The power production is opened to more competition. Unfortunately, the power trading mechanism is not clearly investigated in the level that we can predict a price change in the U.S. wholesale power market. Such a price change in the U.S. wholesale power market is explored from a simulation system with learning capabilities. Using the new intelligence system, we investigate the bidding strategies of traders in the wholesale power market and examine how the price change occurs under different economic and engineering environments.
Mesoscopic Model and Free Energy Landscape for Protein-DNA Binding Sites: Analysis of Cyanobacterial Promoters

The identification of protein binding sites in promoter sequences is a key problem to understand and control regulation in biochemistry and biotechnological processes. We use a computational method to analyze promoters from a given genome. Our approach is based on a physical model at the mesoscopic level of protein-DNA interaction based on the influence of DNA local conformation on the dynamics of a general particle along the chain. Following the proposed model, the joined dynamics of the protein particle and the DNA portion of interest, only characterized by its base pair sequence, is simulated. The simulation output is analyzed by generating and analyzing the Free Energy Landscape of the system. In order to prove the capacity of prediction of our computational method we have analyzed nine promoters of Anabaena PCC 7120. We are able to identify the transcription starting site of each of the promoters as the most populated macrostate in the dynamics. The developed procedure allows also to characterize promoter macrostates in terms of thermo-statistical magnitudes (free energy and entropy), with valuable biological implications. Our results agree with independent previous experimental results. Thus, our methods appear as a powerful complementary tool for identifying protein binding sites in promoter sequences.
Extended Ziv-Zakai lower bound for vector parameter estimation

The Bayesian Ziv-Zakai bound on the mean square error (MSE) in estimating a uniformly distributed continuous random variable is extended for arbitrarily distributed continuous random vectors and for distortion functions other than MSE. The extended bound is evaluated for some representative problems in time-delay and bearing estimation. The resulting bounds have simple closed-form expressions, and closely predict the simulated performance of the maximum-likelihood estimator in all regions of operation.
The New AIMD Congestion Control Algorithm

Congestion control is one of the fundamental issues in computer networks. Without proper congestion control mechanisms there is the possibility of inefficient utilization of resources, ultimately leading to network collapse. Hence congestion control is an effort to adapt the performance of a network to changes in the traffic load without adversely affecting users perceived utilities. AIMD (Additive Increase Multiplicative Decrease) is the best algorithm among the set of liner algorithms because it reflects good efficiency as well as good fairness. Our control model is based on the assumption of the original AIMD algorithm; we show that both efficiency and fairness of AIMD can be improved. We call our approach is New AIMD. We present experimental results with TCP that match the expectation of our theoretical analysis. Keywords—Congestion control, Efficiency, Fairness, TCP, AIMD.
Influence of Cell Size on Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties of PZT and LNKN Ceramic Foams

Piezoceramic foams made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and lithium sodium potassium niobate (LNKN‐6) containing an open porosity >75 vol% are manufactured with varying cell size from 1369 to 265 μm and accordingly, strut size from 346 to 46 μm by replica method. Pore size distribution and strut thickness are determined by X‐ray micro tomography investigations of PZT foams with 10, 30, 45, and 80 pores per inch (ppi). Fracture strengths σb between 0.29 and 1.52 MPa (PZT) and 0.04 and 0.07 MPa (LNKN‐6) are determined by compression test and compared to Gibson and Ashby's model of open‐ and closed‐cell foams and in dependence of the cell size. The longitudinal and transversal coupling coefficients d33 and d31 decrease in a range of 38 to 178 pCN−1 or −13 to −100 pCN−1 compare to dense reference material. In dependence of the cell size, the values of the coupling coefficients change about 79–93%. The relative permittivity decreases 93% by decreasing the cell size of the PZT and LNKN‐6 foams.
Estimation of Transporters Involved in the Hepatobiliary Transport of TA-0201CA Using Sandwich-Cultured Rat Hepatocytes from Normal and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2-Deficient Rats

N-[6-[2-[(5-Bromo-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]ethoxy]-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-pyrimidinyl]-4-(2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl) benzenesulfonamide sodium salt (TA-0201) carboxylic acid form (TA-0201CA) is the primary and pharmacologically active metabolite of TA-0201, which is an orally active nonpeptide antagonist for endothelin receptors. A major elimination route of TA-0201CA in rats was biliary excretion. The aim of this study was to clarify the transporters responsible for the hepatobiliary transport of TA-0201CA by in vivo pharmacokinetic study and in vitro study using sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes (SCRH) from normal rats [Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR)] and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR). After intravenous administration, TA-0201CA was extensively excreted into bile with a high biliary clearance in SDR. In contrast, the biliary clearance in EHBR was lower than that in SDR. These results indicated that multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) was partly involved in the biliary excretion of TA-0201CA. In SCRH, the hepatic uptake of TA-0201CA was significantly decreased by the presence of organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp) substrates/inhibitors and a Na+-free condition, which is a driving force of the Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp). The canalicular secretion of TA-0201CA was inhibited by the bile salt export pump (Bsep) inhibitor glibenclamide and by the Mrp2 inhibitor 3-[[3-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-2-yl)vinyl]phenyl]-(2-dimethylcarbamoylethylsulfanyl)methylsulfanyl] propionic acid (MK-571) in SCRH from SDR and EHBR. These results suggested that TA-0201CA was transported into hepatocytes via Oatps and Ntcp and excreted into bile via Mrp2 and Bsep in rats.
Composition and Similarity of Bovine Rumen Microbiota across Individual Animals

The bovine rumen houses a complex microbiota which is responsible for cattle's remarkable ability to convert indigestible plant mass into food products. Despite this ecosystem's enormous significance for humans, the composition and similarity of bacterial communities across different animals and the possible presence of some bacterial taxa in all animals' rumens have yet to be determined. We characterized the rumen bacterial populations of 16 individual lactating cows using tag amplicon pyrosequencing. Our data showed 51% similarity in bacterial taxa across samples when abundance and occurrence were analyzed using the Bray-Curtis metric. By adding taxon phylogeny to the analysis using a weighted UniFrac metric, the similarity increased to 82%. We also counted 32 genera that are shared by all samples, exhibiting high variability in abundance across samples. Taken together, our results suggest a core microbiome in the bovine rumen. Furthermore, although the bacterial taxa may vary considerably between cow rumens, they appear to be phylogenetically related. This suggests that the functional requirement imposed by the rumen ecological niche selects taxa that potentially share similar genetic features.
GaN-based laser diodes emitting from ultraviolet to blue-green

GaN-based laser diodes (LDs), which emit from UV to blue-green, are reviewed. For fabricating the UV LDs, we used the AlInGaN active layer instead of InGaN one. We demonstrated the UV LDs with a lasing wavelength 368nm under continuous-wave (cw) operation. Moreover, we fabricated the blue-green LDs whose lasing wavelength was 480 nm. It was investigated that the relationship between the threshold current density and the lasing wavelength. From our experiments, we successfully expanded the range of GaN-based LDs lasing wavelength, from UV (368 nm) to blue-green (480 nm). Regarding high power 405 nm-LDs, we could demonstrate the cw operated LD array devices with an output power of 1W by decreasing the thermal resistance of the LD chips.
Mutational Biases and Selective Forces Shaping the Structure of Arabidopsis Genes

Recently features of gene expression profiles have been associated with structural parameters of gene sequences in organisms representing a diverse set of taxa. The emerging picture indicates that natural selection, mediated by gene expression profiles, has a significant role in determining genic structures. However the current situation is less clear in plants as the available data indicates that the effect of natural selection mediated by gene expression is very weak. Moreover, the direction of the patterns in plants appears to contradict those observed in animal genomes. In the present work we analized expression data for >18000 Arabidopsis genes retrieved from public datasets obtained with different technologies (MPSS and high density chip arrays) and compared them with gene parameters. Our results show that the impact of natural selection mediated by expression on genes sequences is significant and distinguishable from the effects of regional mutational biases. In addition, we provide evidence that the level and the breadth of gene expression are related in opposite ways to many structural parameters of gene sequences. Higher levels of expression abundance are associated with smaller transcripts, consistent with the need to reduce costs of both transcription and translation. Expression breadth, however, shows a contrasting pattern, i.e. longer genes have higher breadth of expression, possibly to ensure those structural features associated with gene plasticity. Based on these results, we propose that the specific balance between these two selective forces play a significant role in shaping the structure of Arabidopsis genes.
Mesomorphic Properties of an Homologous Series of Thioalkyl-Terminated Azomesogens

A new homologous series (ten compounds) of 2-hydroxy azo compounds SRn (where n:1–10) were synthesized. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques such as IR (Infrared), 1H-NMR as well as elemental analysis. Mesomorphic properties and phase transitions were studied using polarized hot stage optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and are discussed as a function of the number of carbon atoms in the thioalkyl chain. It has been found that all compounds in the series are pure nematogens.
Significant Contribution of Mouse Mast Cell Protease 4 in Early Phases of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model that reproduces cardinal signs of clinical, histopathological, and immunological features found in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Mast cells are suggested to be involved in the main inflammatory phases occurring during EAE development, possibly by secreting several autacoids and proteases. Among the latter, the chymase mouse mast cell protease 4 (mMCP-4) can contribute to the inflammatory response by producing endothelin-1 (ET-1). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of mMCP-4 on acute inflammatory stages in EAE. C57BL/6 wild type (WT) or mMCP-4 knockout (KO) mice were immunized with MOG35–55 plus complete Freund's adjuvant followed by pertussis toxin. Immunized WT mice presented an initial acute phase characterized by progressive increases in clinical score, which were significantly reduced in mMCP-4 KO mice. In addition, higher levels of spinal myelin were found in mMCP-4 KO as compared with WT mice. Finally, whereas EAE triggered significant increases in brain levels of mMCP-4 mRNA and immunoreactive ET-1 in WT mice, the latter peptide was reduced to basal levels in mMCP-4 KO congeners. Together, the present study supports a role for mMCP-4 in the early inflammatory phases of the disease in a mouse model of MS.
Multi-view Stereo with Single-View Semantic Mesh Refinement

While 3D reconstruction is a well-established and widely explored research topic, semantic 3D reconstruction has only recently witnessed an increasing share of attention from the Computer Vision community. Semantic annotations allow in fact to enforce strong class-dependent priors, as planarity for ground and walls, which can be exploited to refine the reconstruction often resulting in non-trivial performance improvements. State-of-the art methods propose volumetric approaches to fuse RGB image data with semantic labels; even if successful, they do not scale well and fail to output high resolution meshes. In this paper we propose a novel method to refine both the geometry and the semantic labeling of a given mesh. We refine the mesh geometry by applying a variational method that optimizes a composite energy made of a state-of-the-art pairwise photo-metric term and a single-view term that models the semantic consistency between the labels of the 3D mesh and those of the segmented images. We also update the semantic labeling through a novel Markov Random Field (MRF) formulation that, together with the classical data and smoothness terms, takes into account class-specific priors estimated directly from the annotated mesh. This is in contrast to state-of-the-art methods that are typically based on handcrafted or learned priors. We are the first, jointly with the very recent and seminal work of [3], to propose the use of semantics inside a mesh refinement framework. Differently from [3], which adopts a more classical pairwise comparison to estimate the flow of the mesh, we apply a single-view comparison between the semantically annotated image and the current 3D mesh labels; this improves the robustness in case of noisy segmentations.
Parasitology International

A new genus of dactylogyrid monogeneans (Ancyrocephalinae), Paracosmetocleithrum n. gen., is erected to accommodate P. trachydorasi n. sp. from Trachydoras paraguayensis (Siluriformes: Doradidae) in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. The new genus di ﬀ ers from Neotropical dactylogyrids in the presence of a well-developed ornamentation in the middle portion of the ventral bar, and a sclerotized patch on the surface of the dorsal bar with an inconspicuous medial process that possesses two submedial projections arising from the tapered ends of this patch. In addition, Demidospermus rhinelepisi n. sp. is described from Rhinelepis aspera (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). The new species, which is the ﬁ fth species of the genus described from loricariids, can be differentiated from congeners by the possession of a sclerotized patch attached to the middle portion of the ventral bar, and by morphology of the accessory piece, which presents broad ends, tapering in the centre, rounded proximal end, distal end folding on both sides with folds extending to approximately ¾ of the accessory piece length. Molecular data on both new species are also provided and species composition of Demidospermus , recently revealed as polyphyletic by molecular studies including the present one, is discussed.
Consensus-Based Service Selection Using Crowdsourcing Under Fuzzy Preferences of Users

Different evaluator entities, either human agents (e.g., experts) or software agents (e.g., monitoring services), are involved in the assessment of QoS parameters of candidate services, which leads to diversity in service assessments. This diversity makes the service selection a challenging task, especially when numerous qualities of service criteria and range of providers are considered. To address this problem, this study first presents a consensus-based service assessment methodology that utilizes consensus theory to evaluate the service behavior for single QoS criteria using the power of crowdsourcing. To this end, trust level metrics are introduced to measure the strength of a consensus based on the trustworthiness levels of crowd members. The peers converged to the most trustworthy evaluation. Next, the fuzzy inference engine was used to aggregate each obtained assessed QoS value based on user preferences because we address multiple QoS criteria in real life scenarios. The proposed approach was tested and illustrated via two case studies that prove its applicability.
Characterization of Functional Groups on the Surface of Sonicated Carbon Nanotubes by Optical Spectroscopy Methods

SAYEDMOHSEN SHAHSHAHAN: Characterization of Functional Groups on the Surface of Sonicated Carbon Nanotubes by Optical Spectroscopy Methods Tampere University of Technology Master of Science Thesis, 106 pages, 03 appendices pages March 2016 Master’s Degree Program in Materials Science Major: Materials Research Examiner: Professor Jyrki Vourinen