Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using strong conflicts to detect quality issues in component-based complex systems

The mainstream adoption of free and open source software (FOSS) has widely popularised notions like software packages or plugins, maintained in a distributed fashion and evolving at a very quick pace. Each of these components is equipped with metadata, such as dependencies, which define the other components it needs to function properly, and the incompatible components it cannot work with. In this paper, we introduce the notion of strong conflicts, defined from the component dependencies, that can be effectively computed. It gives important insights on the quality issues faced when adding or upgrading components in a given component repository, which is one of the facets of the predictable assembly problem.Our work contains concrete examples drawn from the world of GNU/Linux distributions, that validate the proposed approach. It also shows that the measures defined can be easily applied to the Eclipse world, or to any other coarse-grained software component model.
Resistin, obesity, and insulin resistance--the emerging role of the adipocyte as an endocrine organ.

One hundred years ago, type 2 diabetes mellitus was considered a rare disease, but recently there has been an explosive increase in its incidence. About 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes,1 and at least an equal number have impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are characteristics of both type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. These metabolic derangements, combined with the hypertension and dyslipidemia that are common in type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, and cerebrovascular disease. Why has the incidence of type 2 diabetes increased so rapidly? Considerable .
Curves of Descent

Steepest descent is central in variational mathematics. We present a new transparent existence proof for curves of near-maximal slope---an influential notion of steepest descent in a nonsmooth setting. The existence theory is further amplified for semialgebraic functions, prototypical nonpathological functions in nonsmooth optimization: such functions always admit nontrivial descent curves emanating from any (even critical) nonminimizing point. We moreover show that curves of near-maximal slope of semialgebraic functions have a more classical description as solutions of subgradient dynamical systems.
Pathways of p38, GSK3b, and Their Extensions to Mental Health

Nearly one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness during a year (NAMI). Neurobiological correlates of these diseases may provide treatment options if they are better understood. Research has provided evidence supporting p38’s role in many mental health disorders. P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases appear frequently in literature regarding cellular threats, such as UV irradiation, and subsequently serves various functions including cellular death. With respect to neurological and psychiatric disease, many of the observed effects are related to structures or substrates that are regulated, at least in part, by p38 or its downstream targets. The goal of this review is to examine the role of p38 in neural function and observable behavior as well as to review recent research suggesting a novel pathway through which p38 may act in response to DNA damage induced by psychological stress. This review will look through literature detailing p38’s pathway and its relation to the novel GSK3β serine site and DNA damage to make a case for these kinases’ activity as the underlying mechanism in many
Reevaluation, using intact cells, of the exclusion limit and role of porin OprF in Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane permeability

Earlier studies that used model membrane reconstitution methods have come to different conclusions regarding the exclusion limit of the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and whether OprF is the major channel-forming protein in the outer membrane. In this study, a 6.2-kbp SalI fragment, encoding only two cytoplasmic enzymes, alpha-galactosidase and sucrose hydrolase, and the inner membrane raffinose permease, was cloned behind the m-toluate-inducible tol promoter of vector pNM185 to create plasmid pFB71. P. aeruginosa strains harboring pFB71, when grown with inducer, produced both enzymes encoded by the insert and had acquired the ability to grow on the disaccharide melibiose and the trisaccharide raffinose. The rate of growth was dependent on the concentration and size of the saccharide and was decreased three- to fivefold by the absence of OprF, as examined by measuring the growth on melibiose and raffinose of an isogenic OprF-deficient omega insertion derivative, H636(pFB71). At high concentrations, di-, tri-, and tetrasaccharides could pass across the outer membrane to plasmolyze P. aeruginosa, as measured by light scattering and confirmed by electron microscopy. The initial rate kinetics of light-scattering changes were dependent on the size of the saccharide being used. Furthermore, the rates of change in light scattering due to raffinose and stachyose uptake across the outer membrane for strain H636 were fivefold or more lower than for its OprF-sufficient parent H103. These data are consistent with model membrane studies showing that OprF is the most predominant porin for compounds larger than disaccharides in P. aeruginosa and suggest that the exclusion limit for this porin and the outer membrane is greater than the size of a tetrasaccharide. In addition, these data confirmed the existence of other porins with a predominant function in monosaccharide uptake and a more minor function in the uptake of larger saccharides.
Algorithmic Enhancement of Spectral Resolution of a Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) Waveguide-Based Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrometer

In a recent report we demonstrated a miniature static Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) that was implemented with a LiNbO3 (LN) waveguide electro-optic modulator (EOM) combined with the dispersion relation between its half-wave voltage and wavelength. The FTS was verified to be able to measure laser wavelength and for low-resolution spectroscopy. In this report, we successfully applied the resolution enhancement algorithm to the FTS, resulting in at least a three-fold increase in its spectral resolution without causing obvious distortion of the measured spectra. The algorithm method used is based on an autoregressive (AR) model, singular value decomposition (SVD), and forward–backward linear prediction (FBLP). The combination of these methods allows the FTS to remain a small size but to possess good spectral resolution, effectively mitigating the conflict between the small size and high resolution of the device. This study opens the way to development of high-resolution miniature FTS.
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided continuous hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy for the treatment of malignant ascites: a midterm study of 36 patients

Background This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided continuous hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (CHIPC) for the treatment of malignant ascites (MA). Methods Between July 2011 and June 2013, 36 MA patients were prospectively and consecutively hospitalized for three cycles of elective CHIPC under ultrasound guidance, maintained at a constant flow rate of 400–600 mL/min normal saline containing 5-fluorouracil plus mitomycin or carboplatin and at a constant temperature of 43°C±0.2°C, for 90 minutes. Main outcome measures were ascites resolution, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and serum tumor biomarkers at 2 weeks after the last cycle of CHIPC. All the patients underwent uneventful CHIPC as scheduled, and vital signs remained stable over CHIPC. Results At 2 weeks after the last cycle of CHIPC, MA completely and partially resolved in 26 (72.2%) patients and eight (22.2%) patients, respectively; mean KPS score increased from pretreatment 61±9 to posttreatment 76±9 (P<0.001), and serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigens 12-5 and 19-9 significantly decreased (all P<0.01). Conclusion The current study indicated that ultrasound-guided CHIPC is an effective and safe palliative treatment modality for MA with respect to MA resolution, patient’s general well-being, and systemic disease control. The long-term benefit of CHIPC on overall survival remains to be investigated in MA patients.
Patterns of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in Primary and Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Cancer

The incidence of thyroid cancer is rising in the United States with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) being the most common type. We performed a retrospective study of 49 patients with PTC who underwent 57 lateral neck dissections (NDs). The extent of NDs varied, but 29 of 57 (51%) consisted of levels II–V. Twelve of 57 (21%) NDs consisted of levels I–V. Twelve of 57 (21%) NDs consisted of levels II–IV. One of 57 (1.8%) necks involved only levels I–IV. One of 57(1.8%) necks involved only levels I–V. One of 57(1.8%) necks involved only levels III–V. Two (3.5%) double-level (III–IV) neck surgeries were also performed. Metastatic PTC adenopathy was confirmed pathologically in 2%-level-I, 45%-level-II, 57%-level-III, 60%-level-IV, and 22%-level-V necks. Level-V was positive in 21% of primary and 24% of recurrent groups (P = 0.76). Comparing primary and recurrent disease, there was no difference in nodal distribution or frequency for levels I, II, III, and V. Level-IV was more common in the recurrent cases (P = 0.05). Based on the pathologic distribution of nodes, dissection should routinely include levels II–IV and extend to level-V in primary and recurrent cases. Our data does not suggest routine dissection of level-I.
PET/MRI Imaging in High-Risk Sarcoma: First Findings and Solving Clinical Problems

Simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new whole-body hybrid PET/MR imaging technique that combines metabolic and cross-sectional diagnostic imaging. Since the use of MRI in imaging of soft-tissue sarcoma is extremely beneficial, investigation of the combined PET/MRI is of great interest. In this paper, we present three cases and first data. Combined PET/MRI technique can support the process of clinical decision-making and give answers to some meaningful questions when treating patients with STS. Therefore, the combined modality of simultaneous PET/MRI offers new pieces to the puzzle of sarcoma treatment.
Effects of electromagnetic fields on bone regeneration in experimental and clinical studies: a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE To assess the experimental and clinical data regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on fracture non-union. DATA SOURCES The English language literature regarding EMFs on fracture non-union were searched using MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase, for the period January 2006 to June 2011. The search terms were electromagnetic fields and non-union/bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs)/bone. STUDY SELECTION Articles were included in the review if they were related to the use of EMFs on BMSCs or bone tissue. Papers without full manuscripts available were excluded. RESULTS The basic and clinical research in this field, while somewhat limited, supports the insightful application of EMFs to ameliorate disability due to fracture non-union. CONCLUSIONS Further basic and clinical research to validate the use of EMFs in facilitating function and bone reparative processes in fracture non-union is required.
[Clinical reasoning in undergraduate nursing education: a scoping review].

OBJECTIVE This study aimed at analyzing the current state of knowledge on clinical reasoning in undergraduate nursing education. METHODS A systematic scoping review through a search strategy applied to the MEDLINE database, and an analysis of the material recovered by extracting data done by two independent reviewers. The extracted data were analyzed and synthesized in a narrative manner. RESULTS From the 1380 citations retrieved in the search, 23 were kept for review and their contents were summarized into five categories: 1) the experience of developing critical thinking/clinical reasoning/decision-making process; 2) teaching strategies related to the development of critical thinking/clinical reasoning/decision-making process; 3) measurement of variables related to the critical thinking/clinical reasoning/decision-making process; 4) relationship of variables involved in the critical thinking/clinical reasoning/decision-making process; and 5) theoretical development models of critical thinking/clinical reasoning/decision-making process for students. CONCLUSION The biggest challenge for developing knowledge on teaching clinical reasoning seems to be finding consistency between theoretical perspectives on the development of clinical reasoning and methodologies, methods, and procedures in research initiatives in this field.
Speed and segmentation control mechanisms characterized in rhythmically-active circuits created from spinal neurons produced from genetically-tagged embryonic stem cells

Flexible neural networks, such as the interconnected spinal neurons that control distinct motor actions, can switch their activity to produce different behaviors. Both excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) spinal neurons are necessary for motor behavior, but the influence of recruiting different ratios of E-to-I cells remains unclear. We constructed synthetic microphysical neural networks, called circuitoids, using precise combinations of spinal neuron subtypes derived from mouse stem cells. Circuitoids of purified excitatory interneurons were sufficient to generate oscillatory bursts with properties similar to in vivo central pattern generators. Inhibitory V1 neurons provided dual layers of regulation within excitatory rhythmogenic networks - they increased the rhythmic burst frequency of excitatory V3 neurons, and segmented excitatory motor neuron activity into sub-networks. Accordingly, the speed and pattern of spinal circuits that underlie complex motor behaviors may be regulated by quantitatively gating the intra-network cellular activity ratio of E-to-I neurons. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.21540. 001
Main and interactive effects of attribution dimensions on efficacy expectations in sport

Abstract In this study, I examined the main and interactive effects of attribution dimensions on efficacy expectations in sport. A sample of 162 athletes (102 males, 60 females) aged 20.9 years (s = 3.4) from various sports were recruited. The participants, who were of club to international standard, completed the Causal Dimension Scale II (McAuley et al., 1992) in relation to their most recent performance. They then completed a 7-item measure of efficacy expectations in relation to their upcoming performance. The key predictors of efficacy expectations were stability and personal control, but their function differed after more or less successful performances. After more successful performances, attributions to stability and personal control were associated with main effects upon efficacy expectations, in a positive direction; after less successful performances, attributions to stability and personal control were associated with an interactive effect upon efficacy expectations. The form of this effect was such that the participants were more likely to have high efficacy expectations only when they viewed the cause of their performances as both personally controllable and stable.
SUBSPACES OF c0(N) AND LIPSCHITZ ISOMORPHISMS

We show that the class of subspaces of c0(N) is stable under Lipschitz isomorphisms. The main corollary is that any Banach space which is Lipschitz-isomorphic to c0(N) is linearly isomorphic to c0(N). The proof relies in part on an isomorphic characterization of subspaces of c0(N) as separable spaces having an equivalent norm such that the weak-star and norm topologies quantitatively agree on the dual unit sphere. Estimates on the Banach{Mazur distances are provided when the Lipschitz constants of the isomorphisms are small. The quite dierent non-separable theory is also investigated.
Adaptive Neural Control for Output Feedback Nonlinear Systems Using a Barrier Lyapunov Function

In this brief, adaptive neural control is presented for a class of output feedback nonlinear systems in the presence of unknown functions. The unknown functions are handled via on-line neural network (NN) control using only output measurements. A barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) is introduced to address two open and challenging problems in the neuro-control area: 1) for any initial compact set, how to determine a priori the compact superset, on which NN approximation is valid; and 2) how to ensure that the arguments of the unknown functions remain within the specified compact superset. By ensuring boundedness of the BLF, we actively constrain the argument of the unknown functions to remain within a compact superset such that the NN approximation conditions hold. The semiglobal boundedness of all closed-loop signals is ensured, and the tracking error converges to a neighborhood of zero. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Studying patients with inflammatory back pain and arthritis of the lower limbs clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging: many, but not all patients with sacroiliitis have spondyloarthropathy.

OBJECTIVE Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 170 consecutive patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) and/or oligoarthritis of the lower limbs were evaluated in a retrospective study. The aim was to determine the frequency of sacroiliitis and spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in this population, and to assess the significance of HLA B27 measurements for diagnosis in early disease. METHODS Pelvic X-rays were performed in all IBP patients and dynamic MRI of the sacroiliac joints in patients with IBP who had indefinite results on sacroiliac X-rays (n = 32). RESULTS European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria for SpA were fulfilled by 106/170 patients (62.4%); eight additional patients had symptoms suggestive of SpA (4.7%). The most frequent SpA subset was undifferentiated SpA (uSpA), diagnosed in 46/106 patients (43.4%). Sacroiliitis was detected by MRI in 21/32 patients with IBP and unclear X-rays (65.6%). Of those, 14 were diagnosed as SpA and seven females with moderate unilateral sacroiliitis, but no features of SpA, also not on follow-up (at least 1 yr), were classified as undifferentiated sacroiliitis (US). Ten of the 14 SpA (71.4%) and none of the seven US patients were HLA B27 positive. CONCLUSION HLA B27 positivity in IBP patients with MRI-proven sacroiliitis positively predicts SpA. uSpA is a frequent SpA subset. There are HLA B27-negative non-SpA patients with moderate unilateral sacroiliitis whom we propose to be classified as US.
Risk of developing dementia in people with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment

Background Diabetes mellitus is associated with cognitive dysfunction, but it is not clear whether the disorder increases the risk of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Aims To determine the association between diabetes mellitus and dementia conversion in people with mild cognitive impairment (Peterson's criteria) in a prospective community-based study. Method People over 65 years old were approached through primary care practices in south London, UK, and those with mild cognitive impairment (n = 103) were followed up for 4 years. Presence of diabetes was established from self-report and information from general practitioners. Results Nineteen participants progressed to dementia, with the predominant diagnosis being probable or possible Alzheimer's disease (in 84%). Only diabetes mellitus was associated with progression to dementia (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.1–7.3) after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, APOE4, premorbid IQ and other health conditions. Conclusions Diabetes mellitus increases not only the risks of dementia and mild cognitive impairment but also the risk of progression from such impairment to dementia.
A multivariable adaptive nonlinear controller for a five-level diode clamped active power filter

This paper presents a novel control system for a five-level diode clamped converter based active power filter. The converter has an auxiliary circuit connected to its DC bus. A model based approach is adopted to design the control system. First, the converter state space model is obtained. Next, a multivariable controller is proposed to stabilize the DC bus capacitor voltages and a backstepping method is utilized to design the controller that compensates the load current harmonics. The filter parameters that represent the power losses are assumed unknown during the design. The controller is therefore provided with adaptation laws that automatically retune the controller parameters when power losses change. The main characteristic of the proposed multivariable adaptive control design method is that it follows the input-output linearization method and uses the internal dynamic variables to stabilize the closed loop system. The performances of the filter are evaluated in simulation. The results demonstrate that load current harmonics are very well compensated. The converter DC-bus voltage is maintained at its reference value and capacitor voltages remain equal when the filter operating conditions change.
A Cystine-Rich Whey Supplement (Immunocal®) Delays Disease Onset and Prevents Spinal Cord Glutathione Depletion in the hSOD1G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Depletion of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), underlies progression of the devastating neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Thus, strategies aimed at elevating GSH may yield new therapeutics for ALS. Here, we investigated the effects of a unique non-denatured whey protein supplement, Immunocal®, in the transgenic Gly position 93 to Ala (G93A) mutant hSOD1 (hSOD1G93A) mouse model of ALS. Immunocal® is rich in the GSH precursor, cystine, and is therefore capable of bolstering GSH content. Transgenic hSOD1G93A mice receiving Immunocal® displayed a significant delay in disease onset compared to untreated hSOD1G93A controls. Additionally, Immunocal® treatment significantly decreased the rate of decline in grip strength and prevented disease-associated reductions in whole blood and spinal cord tissue GSH levels in end-stage hSOD1G93A mice. However, Immunocal® did not extend survival, likely due to its inability to preserve the mitochondrial GSH pool in spinal cord. Combination treatment with Immunocal® and the anti-glutamatergic compound, riluzole, delayed disease onset and extended survival in hSOD1G93A mice. These findings demonstrate that sustaining tissue GSH with Immunocal® only modestly delays disease onset and slows the loss of skeletal muscle strength in hSOD1G93A mice. Moreover, the inability of Immunocal® to rescue mitochondrial GSH in spinal cord provides a possible mechanism for its lack of effect on survival and is a limiting factor in the potential utility of this supplement as a therapeutic for ALS.