Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Land cover change prediction with a new theory of plausible and paradoxical reasoning

The spatial prediction of land cover ot the Jeld scale in winter appears useful for the issue of bare soils reduction in agricultural intensive regions. High variability of the factors that motivate the land cover changes between each winter involves integration of uncertainty in the modelling process. Fusion process with Dempster-Shafer Theoiy (DST) presents some limits in generating errors in decision making when the degree of conflict, between the sources of evidence that suppor? land cover hypotheses, becomes important. This paper focuses on the application of Dezeri-Smarandache Theory (DSmT) method to the fusion of multiple land-use attributes for land cover prediction purpose. Results are discussed and compared with prediction levels achieved with DST. Through this $rst application of the Dezert- Smarandache Theory, we show an example of this new approach abiliry to solve some of practical problems where the Dempster-Shafer Theory usuolly foils.
Chronic Inflammation and Cytokines in the Tumor Microenvironment

Acute inflammation is a response to an alteration induced by a pathogen or a physical or chemical insult, which functions to eliminate the source of the damage and restore homeostasis to the affected tissue. However, chronic inflammation triggers cellular events that can promote malignant transformation of cells and carcinogenesis. Several inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-10, have been shown to participate in both the initiation and progression of cancer. In this review, we explore the role of these cytokines in important events of carcinogenesis, such as their capacity to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, their potential mutagenic effect, and their involvement in mechanisms for epithelial mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Finally, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the participation of these cytokines in two types of cancer attributable to chronic inflammatory disease: colitis-associated colorectal cancer and cholangiocarcinoma.
Long-term Outcomes of Very Preterm or Tiny Infants

Survival rates have improved dramatically in recent years for very preterm or tiny infants. However, such infants remain at significant risk for a wide array of long-term morbidities that are mostly inversely related to gestational age. In early childhood, neurodevelopmental disabilities and recurrent health problems take a significant toll. Subsequently “hidden disabilities” such as school difficulties and behavioral problems become apparent and persist through adolescence. Reassuringly, however, most children born very preterm adjust remarkably during their transition to adulthood. As mortality rates continue to fall, the focus for perinatal interventions must be strategies to reduce long-term morbidity. In addition, follow-up to middle age and later adulthood is warranted to determine the risks, especially for cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic problems, and other lifestyle issues likely to be confronted by very preterm or tiny survivors.
Outcomes of Salvage Procedures for Occluded Autogenous Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula

The outcomes of surgical and endovascular treatments for thrombosed access fistulas are variable and provide no definitive indications for treatment choice. We purposed to review our experience in treating thrombosed radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and to evaluate the outcome of procedures, including proximal neo‐anastomosis (NEO), replacement of the stenosed segment with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft (GI), patch angioplasty (PA), and endovascular procedures (such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA]). A total of 117 occluded radiocephalic AVFs were treated by surgery or an endovascular procedure from January 2002 to December 2007. We evaluated the rates of initial success, re‐thrombosis, the post‐interventional five‐year patency rate, and temporary catheter requirement. Forty‐five patients (38.5%) underwent NEO, 32 patients (27.4%) GI, 10 patients (8.5%) PA, and 30 patients (25.6%) PTA. The overall initial procedural success rate was 98.3% (surgery 98.9% and PTA 96.7%), and the post‐interventional patency rates at five years were 92.2% (97.1% for NEO, 82.7% for GI, 90.0% for PA, and 96.7% for PTA). Twenty‐four patients (20.5%) required a temporary catheter during healing of the functioning segment after treatment: four patients for NEO, 18 patients for GI, two patients for PA, and no patients for PTA (P < 0.001). Both surgery and endovascular treatment gave high rates of initial success and low re‐thrombosis rates as salvage treatments for occlusion of radiocephalic AVFs, if treatments were selected according to the length, and location of the stenosis to be corrected. When stenosis of a long segment is suspected, endovascular treatment should be attempted first in order to maintain the functional segment and thereby avoid use of a temporary catheter.
High atmospheric temperatures and ‘ambient incubation’ drive embryonic development and lead to earlier hatching in a passerine bird

Tropical and subtropical species typically experience relatively high atmospheric temperatures during reproduction, and are subject to climate-related challenges that are largely unexplored, relative to more extensive work conducted in temperate regions. We studied the effects of high atmospheric and nest temperatures during reproduction in the zebra finch. We characterized the temperature within nests in a subtropical population of this species in relation to atmospheric temperature. Temperatures within nests frequently exceeded the level at which embryo’s develop optimally, even in the absence of parental incubation. We experimentally manipulated internal nest temperature to demonstrate that an average difference of 6°C in the nest temperature during the laying period reduced hatching time by an average of 3% of the total incubation time, owing to ‘ambient incubation’. Given the avian constraint of laying a single egg per day, the first eggs of a clutch are subject to prolonged effects of nest temperature relative to later laid eggs, potentially increasing hatching asynchrony. While birds may ameliorate the negative effects of ambient incubation on embryonic development by varying the location and design of their nests, high atmospheric temperatures are likely to constitute an important selective force on avian reproductive behaviour and physiology in subtropical and tropical regions, particularly in the light of predicted climate change that in many areas is leading to a higher frequency of hot days during the periods when birds breed.
Retinal pigment epithelium resurfacing of aged submacular human Bruch's membrane.

PURPOSE To determine whether cultured fetal human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can attach and differentiate on submacular Bruch's membrane from donors over age 55. METHODS Differential debridements of Bruch's membrane were performed to expose three different surfaces: the RPE basement membrane, the superficial inner collagenous layer (ICL) directly below the RPE basement membrane, and the deeper ICL. Approximately 3,146 cells/mm2 were seeded onto these Bruch's membrane explants and cultured for 1 or 7 days. Explants were bisected and examined histologically or analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Nuclear density counts were performed on stained sections. Morphology and cell density were compared to those of cells seeded onto bovine corneal endothelial cell-extracellular matrix (BCE-ECM). RESULTS Compared to cells seeded onto BCE-ECM at similar density, cell coverage and cellular morphology were poor at both time points. Unlike cells on BCE-ECM, cell density remained the same or decreased with time. In general, cell morphology on all surfaces worsened by day 7 compared to day 1. Although cells were more pigmented on RPE basement membrane and deep ICL at day 7, poor cellular morphology indicated the remaining cells were not well differentiated. An explant from a donor with large soft drusen showed the poorest resurfacing at day 7 in organ culture. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that aged submacular human Bruch's membrane does not support transplanted RPE survival and differentiation. The formation of localized RPE defects, cell death, and worsening cellular morphology on aged Bruch's membrane suggest that modification of Bruch's membrane may be necessary in patients with age-related macular degeneration receiving RPE transplants to prevent graft failure.
Predictors of Recurrent Stroke in Patients With Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis

Background and Purpose— Our goal was to investigate whether initial ischemic lesion pattern can predict stroke recurrence in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. Methods— Of the Trial of Cilostazol in Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (TOSS)-2 trial participants, we included patients who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid attenuation inversion recovery imaging at baseline with a follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery imaging at 7 months. Based on the diffusion-weighted imaging findings, we classified the initial ischemic lesion patterns according to location (subcortical versus cortical versus subcorticocortical) and multiplicity (single versus multiple). We also evaluated the occurrence of new ischemic lesions on follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery as well as clinical stroke in the symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory. Results— Of 353 patients included in this study, 44 (12.5%) and 13 (3.7%) patients had new ischemic lesions and clinical recurrent stroke in the initial symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the initial lesion patterns of subcorticocortical and multiple lesions were independent predictors of new ischemic lesions in the symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis territory (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.33–7.01; P=0.03; OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.34–5.9; P=0.006). These patterns also predicted clinical recurrent stroke. Conclusion— Subcorticocortical lesions and multiple lesions are radiological predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke in symptomatic patients with intracranial arterial stenosis. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00130039.
Mining Temporal Patterns in Time Interval-Based Data

Sequential pattern mining is an important subfield in data mining. Recently, applications using time interval-based event data have attracted considerable efforts in discovering patterns from events that persist for some duration. Since the relationship between two intervals is intrinsically complex, how to effectively and efficiently mine interval-based sequences is a challenging issue. In this paper, two novel representations, endpoint representation and endtime representation, are proposed to simplify the processing of complex relationships among event intervals. Based on the proposed representations, three types of interval-based patterns: temporal pattern, occurrence-probabilistic temporal pattern, and duration-probabilistic temporal pattern, are defined. In addition, we develop two novel algorithms, Temporal Pattern Miner (TPMiner) and Probabilistic Temporal Pattern Miner (P-TPMiner), to discover three types of interval-based sequential patterns. We also propose three pruning techniques to further reduce the search space of the mining process. Experimental studies show that both algorithms are able to find three types of patterns efficiently. Furthermore, we apply proposed algorithms to real datasets to demonstrate the effectiveness and validate the practicability of proposed patterns.
The noseleaf of Rhinolophus formosae focuses the Frequency Modulated (FM) component of the calls

Bats of the family Rhinolophidae emit their echolocation calls through their nostrils and feature elaborate noseleaves shaping the directionality of the emissions. The calls of these bats consist of a long constant-frequency component preceded and/or followed by short frequency-modulated sweeps. While Rhinolophidae are known for their physiological specializations for processing the constant frequency part of the calls, previous evidence suggests that the noseleaves of these animals are tuned to the frequencies in the frequency modulated components of the calls. In this paper, we seek further support for this hypothesis by simulating the emission beam pattern of the bat Rhinolophus formosae. Filling the furrows of lancet and removing the basal lappets (i.e., two flaps on the noseleaf) we find that these conspicuous features of the noseleaf focus the emitted energy mostly for frequencies in the frequency-modulated components. Based on the assumption that this component of the call is used by the bats for ranging, we develop a qualitative model to assess the increase in performance due to the furrows and/or the lappets. The model confirms that both structures decrease the ambiguity in selecting relevant targets for ranging. The lappets and the furrows shape the emission beam for different spatial regions and frequency ranges. Therefore, we conclude that the presented evidence is in line with the hypothesis that different parts of the noseleaves of Rhinolophidae are tuned to different frequency ranges with at least some of the most conspicuous ones being tuned to the frequency modulated components of the calls—thus yielding strong evidence for the sensory importance of the component.
Precise prediction for managing chronic disease readmissions

Potentially preventable hospital readmissions have a crippling effect on the health of chronic disease patients and on healthcare funding and resource utilization. While several prediction models have been proposed to help identify and manage high risk patients, most offer only moderate predictive power and discriminative ability. We develop and validate several models that utilize cohort population and clinical data and are capable of precisely identifying chronic disease patients with a high risk of rehospitalization within 30 days. Cross validation and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis are used to examine the predictive power of the models. The developed models offer high precision and discrimination and outperform current state of the art models. Delivering between 73% and 79% sensitivity at 93% specificity, the models offer excellent candidate prediction algorithms for the battle against the burden of chronic disease on the public health system.
Isolated REM sleep facilitates recall of complex associative information.

This study directly tested the beneficial effect of isolated REM and isolated NREM sleep on the recall of narcoleptics. In a within subject design, 10 narcoleptics were instructed to sleep for a certain optimal duration and at a certain optimal time before each session, and were given 12–14 sessions, one a day, on different lists of a complex associative memory task and a minimally associative memory task. Following the 10-min task, the subject either had 20 min of polygraphically recorded napping or card playing, followed by a free recall test. The results for the complex associative task indicated significant differences between the three conditions for free recall. Recall was significantly better after isolated REM than after isolated NREM sleep or wakefulness and was significantly better after NREM than after wakefulness. The results from the minimally associative task were inconclusive. The results are consistent with the proposed neuronal activity correlates (NAC) theory that REM sleep actively consolidates and/or integrates complex associative information and that NREM sleep passively prevents retroactive interference of recently acquired complex associative information.
Evidence for the Efficacy of NXY-059 in Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischaemia Is Confounded by Study Quality

Background and Purpose— The neutral results of the SAINT II trial have again highlighted difficulties translating neuroprotective efficacy from bench to bedside. Animal studies are susceptible to study quality biases, which may lead to overstatement of efficacy. We report the impact of study quality on published estimates of the efficacy of NXY-059 in animal models of stroke. Methods— We conducted a systematic review and stratified meta-analysis of published studies describing the efficacy of NXY-059 in experimental focal cerebral ischemia. Results— Overall, NXY-059 improved infarct volume by 43.3% (95% CI, 34.7 to 52.8). Only 2 of 9 publications reported randomization, concealment of treatment allocation, and blinded outcome assessment. Studies not reporting these quality items gave substantially higher estimates of efficacy than did higher-quality studies. Conclusions— The reported efficacy of NXY-059 in animal models of stroke is confounded by low study quality. The failure of SAINT II highlights the need for substantial improvements in the design, conduct, and reporting of animal studies; journals can play an important role in this by adopting standards for animal studies similar to those agreed over 10 years ago for clinical trials.
Spatial Mixing and Systematic Scan Markov chains

We consider spin systems on the integer lattice graph $\mathbb{Z}^d$ with nearest-neighbor interactions. We develop a combinatorial framework for establishing that exponential decay with distance of spin correlations, specifically the strong spatial mixing condition (SSM), implies rapid mixing of a large class of Markov chains. As a first application of our method we prove that SSM implies $O(\log n)$ mixing of systematic scan dynamics (under mild conditions) on an $n$-vertex $d$-dimensional cube of the integer lattice graph $\mathbb{Z}^d$. Systematic scan dynamics are widely employed in practice but have proved hard to analyze. A second application of our technology concerns the Swendsen-Wang dynamics for the ferromagnetic Ising and Potts models. We show that SSM implies an $O(1)$ bound for the relaxation time (i.e., the inverse spectral gap). As a by-product of this implication we observe that the relaxation time of the Swendsen-Wang dynamics in square boxes of $\mathbb{Z}^2$ is $O(1)$ throughout the subcritical regime of the $q$-state Potts model, for all $q \ge 2$. We also use our combinatorial framework to give a simple coupling proof of the classical result that SSM entails optimal mixing time of the Glauber dynamics. Although our results in the paper focus on $d$-dimensional cubes in $\mathbb{Z}^d$, they generalize straightforwardly to arbitrary regions of $\mathbb{Z}^d$ and to graphs with subexponential growth.
Potency of myopic defocus in spectacle lens compensation.

PURPOSE Previous studies have shown that chick eyes compensate for positive or negative lenses worn for brief periods if the chicks are in darkness the remainder of the time. This study was undertaken to determine whether chicks can compensate for brief periods of lens wear if given unrestricted vision the remainder of the time. Previous studies have also shown that chick eyes alternately wearing positive and negative lenses for brief periods compensate for the positive lenses. The current study sought to determine whether brief periods of positive lens wear can outweigh daylong wearing of negative lenses. METHODS Chicks wore +6 D or +10 D lenses for between 8 and 60 min/d, in two to six periods and wore either no lenses or negative lenses for the remainder of the 12-hour daylight period. Refraction and ultrasound biometry were performed before and after the 3-day-long experiments. RESULTS Wearing positive lenses for as little as 12 min/d (six periods of 2 minutes) with unrestricted vision the remainder of the time caused eyes to become hyperopic and reduced the rate of ocular elongation. These effects also occurred when the scene viewed was beyond the far point of the lens-wearing eye and thus was myopically blurred. Even when chicks wore negative lenses for the entire day except for 8 minutes of wearing positive lenses, the eyes compensated for the positive lenses, as though the negative lenses had not been worn. When chicks wore binocular negative lenses for the entire day except for 8 minutes of wearing a positive lens on one eye and a plano lens on the other, the eye wearing the positive lens became less myopic than the eye wearing the plano lens. CONCLUSIONS Brief periods of myopic defocus imposed by positive lenses prevent myopia caused by daylong wearing of negative lenses. This implies that periods of myopic and hyperopic defocus do not add linearly. If children are like chicks and if the hyperopic defocus of long daily periods of reading predisposes a child to myopia, regular, brief interruptions of reading might have use as a prophylaxis against progression of myopia.
Individual Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resuscitation-Promoting Factor Homologues Are Dispensable for Growth In Vitro and In Vivo

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses five genes with significant homology to the resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) of Micrococcus luteus. The M. luteus Rpf is a secreted ∼16-kDa protein which restores active growth to cultures of M. luteus rendered dormant by prolonged incubation in stationary phase. More recently, the Rpf-like proteins of M. tuberculosis have been shown to stimulate the growth of extended-stationary-phase cultures of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. These data suggest that the Rpf proteins can influence the growth of mycobacteria; however, the studies do not demonstrate specific functions for the various members of this protein family, nor do they assess the function of M. tuberculosis Rpf homologues in vivo. To address these questions, we have disrupted each of the five rpf-like genes in M. tuberculosis Erdman, and analyzed the mutants for their growth in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to M. luteus, for which rpf is an essential gene, we find that all of the M. tuberculosis rpf deletion mutant strains are viable; in addition, all show growth kinetics similar to Erdman wild type both in vitro and in mouse organs following aerosol infection. Analysis of rpf expression in M. tuberculosis cultures from early log phase through late stationary phase indicates that expression of the rpf-like genes is growth phase-dependent, and that the expression patterns of the five M. tuberculosis rpf genes, while overlapping to various degrees, are not uniform. We also provide evidence that mycobacterial rpf genes are expressed in vivo in the lungs of mice acutely infected with virulent M. tuberculosis.
Reweighted Belief Propagation and Quiet Planting for Random K-SAT

We study the random K-satisfiability problem using a partition functionwhere each solution is reweighted according to the number of variables that satisfy every clause. We apply belief propagation and the related cavity method to the reweighted partition function. This allows us to obtain several new results on the properties of random K-satisfiability problem. In particular the reweighting allows to introduce a planted ensemble that generates instances that are, in some region of parameters, equivalent to random instances. We are hence able to generate at the same time a typical random SAT instance and one of its solutions. We study the relation between clustering and belief propagation fixed points and we give a direct evidence for the existence of purely entropic (rather than energetic) barriers between clusters in some region of parameters in the random K-satisfiability problem. We exhibit, in some large planted instances, solutions with a non-trivial whitening core; such solutions were known to exist but were so far never found on very large instances. Finally, we discuss algorithmic hardness of such planted instances and we determine a region of parameters in which planting leads to satisfiable benchmarks that, up to our knowledge, are the hardest known.