Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erdos--Ko--Rado Theorems: New Generalizations, Stability Analysis and Chvatal's Conjecture

One of the seminal results in extremal combinatorics, due to Erdős, Ko and Rado, states that if F is an intersecting family of r-subsets of an n-element set, i.e. for any A,B ∈F , A∩B 6= / 0, then |F | ≤ (n−1 r−1 ) if r ≤ n/2. Furthermore, when r < n/2, the only structure which attains this extremal number is that of a star. A major part of this dissertation considers extensions of the Erdős–Ko–Rado theorem motivated by a graph-theoretic generalization due to Holroyd, Spencer and Talbot. A conjecture of Holroyd and Talbot is proved for a large class of graphs, namely chordal graphs which contain at least one isolated vertex. A stronger result is also shown to exist for a special class of chordal graphs obtained by blowing up edges of a path into complete graphs. Next, a well-known generalization of the EKR theorem due to Frankl is considered. For some k ≥ 2, let F be a k-wise intersecting family of r-subsets of an n-element set, i.e. for any F1, . ,Fk ∈ F , ∩i=1Fi 6= / 0. If r ≤ (k−1)n k , then |F | ≤ (n−1 r−1 ) . A stability version of this theorem is proved using an analog of Katona’s circle method. A graph-theoretic generalization of Frankl’s theorem analogous to a theorem of Bollobás and Leader is also formulated and proved. A collection of families A1, . ,Ak is called cross-intersecting if for any i, j ∈ [k] with i 6= j, A ∈Ai and B ∈A j implies A∩B 6= / 0. Hilton proved a best possible upper bound on the sum of the cardinalities of uniform cross-intersecting subfamilies. In this thesis, extensions of Hilton’s theorem are formulated and proved for chordal graphs and cycles. One of the motivations in formulating these graph-theoretic generalizations for EKR theorems is a long-standing conjecture of Chvátal for hereditary set systems. A set system F is said to be hereditary if for any F ∈F , if G ⊆ F , then G ∈F . Chvátal’s conjecture states that the set of maximum-sized intersecting subfamilies of a hereditary set system contains a star. It can be observed that the family of ii all independent sets in a graph is hereditary. A different class of hereditary vertex families in a graph is studied, namely the family of all cycle-free vertex subsets of a graph. Finally, a powerful tool of Erdős and Rado is used to prove Chvátal’s conjecture for hereditary families with small rank.
Order of Convergence of Splitting Schemes for Both Deterministic and Stochastic Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations

We first prove the second order convergence of the Strang-type splitting scheme for the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The proof does not require commutator estimates but crucially relies on an integral representation of the scheme. It reveals the connection between Strang-type splitting and the midpoint rule. We then show that the integral representation idea can also be used to study the stochastic nonlinear Schrodinger equation with multiplicative noise of Stratonovich type. Even though the nonlinear term there is not globally Lipschitz, we prove the first order convergence of a splitting scheme of it. Both schemes preserve the mass. They are very efficient because they use explicit formulas to solve the subproblems containing the nonlinear or the nonlinear plus stochastic terms.
Research capacity in UK primary care.

BACKGROUND Moves towards a 'primary care-led' National Health Service (NHS) and towards evidence-based care have focused attention upon the need for evaluative research relating to the structure, delivery, and outcome of primary health care in the United Kingdom (UK). This paper describes work carried out to inform the Department of Health Committee on Research and Development (R&D) in Primary Care (Mant Committee). AIM To describe the extent and nature of current research capacity in primary care in the UK and to identify future needs and priorities. METHOD Funding data were requested from NHS National Programmes, NHS Executive Regional Offices, the Department of Health (DoH), Scottish Office, Medical Research Council, and some charities. A postal survey was sent to relevant academic departments, and appropriate academic journals were reviewed from 1992 to 1996. In addition, interviews were conducted with academic and professional leaders in primary care. RESULTS Overall, total annual primary care R&D spend by the NHS and the DoH was found to be 7% of the total spend, although annual primary care R&D spend differs according to funding source. Journals relating to primary care do not, with some notable exceptions (e.g. British Journal of General Practice, Family Practice), have high academic status, and research into primary care by academic departments is, with perhaps the exception of general practice, on a small scale. The research base of most primary care professions is minimal, and significant barriers were identified that will need addressing if research capacity is to be expanded. CONCLUSION There are strong arguments for the development of primary care research in a 'primary care-led' NHS in the UK. However, dashes for growth or attempts to expand capacity from the present infrastructure must be avoided in favour of endeavours to foster a sustainable, long-term research infrastructure capable of responding meaningfully to identified needs.
Diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis in children in the current era.

Myocarditis has been defined by the World Health Organization/International Society and Federation of Cardiology as an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle diagnosed by established histological, immunologic, and immunohistological criteria.1 Insights into its clinical manifestation and treatment in both adults2–7 and children8–12 have been the subject of a number of recent reviews. It is caused primarily by numerous infectious agents, but it may also accompany autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity reactions, and toxins (Table 1). In North America and developed countries, it primarily has a viral origin. In Central and South America, Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) is a common cause. Diphtheria often causes myocarditis in countries without widespread immunization.13 Although enteroviruses have classically been identified as the prime viral agent, new techniques to extract viral genome from myocardium with polymerase chain reaction techniques have in both children and adults revealed previously unrecognized viruses such as adenovirus, parvovirus B19, human herpesvirus 6, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus.2,3,14–19 Interestingly, the pattern of identified viral pathogens in myocarditis has evolved over the last 20 years from enteroviruses and adenoviruses to primarily parvovirus and herpesvirus 6. Endomyocardial fibroelastosis, a once frequent cause of infantile dilated cardiomyopathy that is now rarely seen, was linked to the mumps virus via viral polymerase chain reaction analysis of archived pathological sample, suggesting that its reduced prevalence might be attributed to immunization.20 View this table: Table 1. Various Causes of Myocarditis3,5 In a somewhat confusing fashion, the American Heart Association’s contemporary definitions of cardiomyopathies classify myocarditis as an inflammatory cardiomyopathy but also lists the same infectious causes of dilated cardiomyopathy as those found with myocarditis.21 This conundrum typifies myocarditis. Its myriad presentations range from minimal symptoms to severe heart failure and sudden death. It is commonly associated …
Ordered maghemite nanoparticles in diblock copolymer films

The alignment of PS-coated maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) within diblock copolymer (DBC) templates was investigated with regard to potential magnetic applications. The focus lies on the effects of control parameters on the morphology of the nanoparticles-diblock copolymer hybrid films, including the type of DBC, the thickness of the films, and the concentration of incorporated NPs. Microscopic imaging and scattering techniques provide a thorough understanding of the surface and inner structures of the films, which are compared to their corresponding magnetic properties.
The World Health Organization adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population

Background. A self-report screening scale of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the World Health Organization (WHO) Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was developed in conjunction with revision of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The current report presents data on concordance of the ASRS and of a short-form ASRS screener with blind clinical diagnoses in a community sample. Method. The ASRS includes 18 questions about frequency of recent DSM-IV Criterion A symptoms of adult ADHD. The ASRS screener consists of six out of these 18 questions that were selected based on stepwise logistic regression to optimize concordance with the clinical classification. ASRS responses were compared to blind clinical ratings of DSM-IV adult ADHD in a sample of 154 respondents who previously participated in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), oversampling those who reported childhood ADHD and adult persistence. Results. Each ASRS symptom measure was significantly related to the comparable clinical symptom rating, but varied substantially in concordance (Cohen's κ in the range 0·16–0·81). Optimal scoring to predict clinical syndrome classifications was to sum unweighted dichotomous responses across all 18 ASRS questions. However, because of the wide variation in symptom-level concordance, the unweighted six-question ASRS screener outperformed the unweighted 18-question ASRS in sensitivity (68·7% v. 56·3%), specificity (99·5% v. 98·3%), total classification accuracy (97·9% v. 96·2%), and κ (0·76 v. 0·58). Conclusions. Clinical calibration in larger samples might show that a weighted version of the 18-question ASRS outperforms the six-question ASRS screener. Until that time, however, the unweighted screener should be preferred to the full ASRS, both in community surveys and in clinical outreach and case-finding initiatives.
Prion Protein Glycosylation Is Not Required for Strain-Specific Neurotropism

ABSTRACT In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the glycosylation of the pathogenic isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc) might encode the selective neurotropism of prion strains. We prepared unglycosylated cellular prion protein (PrPC) substrate molecules from normal mouse brain by treatment with PNGase F and used reconstituted serial protein cyclic misfolding amplification reactions to produce RML and 301C mouse prions containing unglycosylated PrPSc molecules. Both RML- and 301C-derived prions containing unglycosylated PrPSc molecules were infectious to wild-type mice, and neuropathological analysis showed that mice inoculated with these samples maintained strain-specific patterns of PrPSc deposition and neuronal vacuolation. These results show that PrPSc glycosylation is not necessary for strain-dependent prion neurotropism.
Modeling coarticulation in continuous speech

Modeling coarticulation in speech has been largely limited to short sequences and/or limited phonetic context. We introduce a methodology for modeling both formant frequency and bandwidth in continuous speech, allowing examination of sentencelevel coarticulation. The model represents continuous trajectories as a combination of overlapping local trajectories, which are represented by a weighted-addition of acoustic event targets by sigmoidal coarticulation functions characterized by slope and position. Estimation is achieved using a combination of hill-climbing and grid-search, with global target, joint slope for identical contexts, and local position parameters. We evaluate model performance for two speakers using an intelligibility test that compares vocoded model output to a purely vocoded and a natural condition.
Prognostic value of total atrial conduction time estimated with tissue Doppler imaging to predict the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

AIMS Total atrial activation time has been identified as an independent predictor of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Echocardiographic assessment of PA-TDI duration provides an estimation of total atrial conduction time. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of total atrial conduction time to predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS AND RESULTS In 213 patients undergoing RFCA for symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal AF, the total atrial conduction time was estimated by measuring the time delay between the onset of the P-wave in lead II of the surface electrocardiogram and the peak A'-wave on the tissue Doppler tracing of the left atrial (LA) lateral wall (PA-TDI duration). After RFCA, all patients were evaluated on a systematic basis at the outpatient clinic. After a mean follow-up of 13 ± 3 months, 74 patients (35%) had recurrent AF whereas 139 patients (65%) maintained sinus rhythm. Left atrial maximum volume index and PA-TDI duration were identified as independent predictors of AF recurrence after RFCA. However, receiver operator characteristics curve analyses demonstrated that PA-TDI duration had a superior accuracy to predict AF recurrence compared with LA maximum volume index (area under the curve 0.765 vs. 0.561, respectively). CONCLUSION Assessment of total atrial conduction time using tissue Doppler imaging can be used to predict AF recurrence after RFCA.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Thecosomata Blainville, 1824 (Holoplanktonic Opisthobranchia) Using Morphological and Molecular Data

Thecosomata is a marine zooplankton group, which played an important role in the carbonate cycle in oceans due to their shell composition. So far, there is important discrepancy between the previous morphological-based taxonomies, and subsequently the evolutionary history of Thecosomata. In this study, the remarkable planktonic sampling of TARA Oceans expedition associated with a set of various other missions allowed us to assess the phylogenetic relationships of Thecosomata using morphological and molecular data (28 S and COI genes). The two gene trees showed incongruities (e.g. Hyalocylis, Cavolinia), and high congruence between morphological and 28S trees (e.g. monophyly of Euthecosomata). The monophyly of straight shell species led us to reviving the Orthoconcha, and the split of Limacinidae led us to the revival of Embolus inflata replacing Limacina inflata. The results also jeopardized the Euthecosomata families that are based on plesiomorphic character state as in the case for Creseidae which was not a monophyletic group. Divergence times were also estimated, and suggested that the evolutionary history of Thecosomata was characterized by four major diversifying events. By bringing the knowledge of palaeontology, we propose a new evolutionary scenario for which macro-evolution implying morphological innovations were rhythmed by climatic changes and associated species turn-over that spread from the Eocene to Miocene, and were shaped principally by predation and shell buoyancy.
Sustainable Innovation, Management Accounting and Control Systems, and International Performance

This study analyzes how Management Accounting and Control Systems (MACS) facilitate the appropriation of the benefits of sustainable innovations in organizations. In particular, this paper examines the moderating role of different types of MACS in the relationships between sustainable innovation and international performance at an organizational level. We collected survey data from 123 Spanish and Portuguese organizations. Partial Least Square was used to analyze the data. Results show that the effect of sustainable innovations on international performance is enhanced by contemporary rather than traditional types of MACS. Overall our findings show that MACS can help managers to develop and monitor organizational activities (e.g., costumer services and distribution activities), which support the appropriation of the potential benefits from sustainable innovation. This paper responds to recent calls for in-depth studies about the organizational mechanism that may enhance the success of sustainable innovation.
HIGH TEMPERATURE LIMIT OF THE N=2 MATRIX MODEL

The high temperature limit of a system of two D-0 branes is investigated. The partition function can be expressed as a power series in β (inverse temperature). The leading term in the high temperature expression of the partition function and effective potential is calculated exactly. Physical quantities like the mean square separation can also be exactly determined in the high temperature limit.
On the Use of Torque-Biasing Systems for Electronic Stability Control: Limitations and Possibilities

This brief paper focuses on the concept of utilizing torque-biasing systems on a four-wheel drive vehicle for improving vehicle stability and handling performance. In contrast to brake-based yaw stability control systems, torque biasing has the potential to provide yaw stability control without slowing down the longitudinal response of the vehicle. An inexpensive system configuration is considered in which the driveline is based on front-wheel drive with on-demand transfer of torque to the rear. The torque-biasing components of the system are an electronically controlled center coupler and a rear electronically controlled limited slip differential. First, modeling of the torque-biasing devices is briefly introduced. Then, a hierarchical control architecture is presented in which an upper controller determines desired yaw moment for achieving yaw rate and slip angle control. The lower controller attempts to achieve the desired yaw moment using torque biasing. Theoretical analysis shows that transfer of longitudinal tire forces can effectively be used to achieve any desired yaw moment for the vehicle. However, the use of torque biasing cannot always achieve the desired transfer of longitudinal tire forces. Simulations show that the proposed control system can always effectively provide understeering yaw moments but can provide oversteering torque moments only during on-throttle maneuvers. Experimental data show that significant stability improvements are obtained using the proposed system for low-friction slalom maneuvers and a T-junction launch maneuver. The results presented in this brief shed important light on the possibilities and limitations of using torque biasing for vehicle yaw stability control
Searching the MINT Database for Protein Interaction Information

The Molecular Interactions Database (MINT) is a relational database designed to store information about protein interactions. Expert curators extract the relevant information from the scientific literature and deposit it in a computer readable form. Currently (April 2008), MINT contains information on almost 29,000 proteins and more than 100,000 interactions from more than 30 model organisms. This unit provides protocols for searching MINT over the Internet, using the MINT Viewer. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 22:8.5. 1–8.5. 13. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Down-Regulation of Sprouty2 in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Contributes to Tumor Malignancy via Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

Sprouty (Spry) proteins function as inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling mainly by interfering with the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, a pathway known to be frequently deregulated in human non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we show a consistently lowered Spry2 expression in NSCLC when compared with the corresponding normal lung epithelium. Based on these findings, we investigated the influence of Spry2 expression on the malignant phenotype of NSCLC cells. Ectopic expression of Spry2 antagonized mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and inhibited cell migration in cell lines homozygous for K-Ras wild type, whereas in NSCLC cells expressing mutated K-Ras, Spry2 failed to diminish extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Nonetheless, Spry2 significantly reduced cell proliferation in all investigated cell lines and blocked tumor formation in mice. Accordingly, a Spry2 mutant unable to inhibit ERK phosphorylation reduced cell proliferation significantly but less pronounced compared with the wild-type protein. Therefore, we conclude that Spry2 interferes with ERK phosphorylation and another yet unidentified pathway. Our results suggest that Spry2 plays a role as tumor suppressor in NSCLC by antagonizing receptor tyrosine kinase–induced signaling at different levels, indicating feasibility for the usage of Spry in targeted gene therapy of NSCLC. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(5):509–20)
The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) as a consequence of neck dissection

Abstract The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) canhave multiple causes. Surgical neck dissections may have an association with this syndrome and represent the basis for this study. A retrospective review of 50 patients undergoing neck dissections was performed to evaluate for the development of hyponatraemia as a consequence of SIADH. Based on the results of this review, a prospective study of 20 consecutive patients undergoing 22 neck dissections was performed to determine the incidence ofSIADH. A control group of 25 consecutive patients undergoing major non-neck dissection surgery was also studied. SIADH developed in nine of 50 patients (18 per cent) of our retrospective group with a high incidence of development in those who had jugular vein ligation (JVL) (22 per cent), pre-operative radiation therapy (25 per cent) or squamous cell cancers (32 per cent). SIADH developed in six patients undergoing 22 neck dissections (27 per cent) in our prospective group. A high incidence was also noted for those with JVL (42 per cent), pre-operative radiation therapy (67 per cent) or squamous cell cancer (40 per cent). No patients developed symptomatic hyponatraemia. No patients in the prospective control group developed SIADH. Neck dissection surgery is associated with a significant risk for the development of SIADH. Factors such as jugular vein ligation (JVL), pre-operative radiotherapy and squamous cell cancer appear to increase this risk.
Themed Issue Article: Conservation Physiology of Animal Migrations Optimal migration energetics of humpback whales and the implications of disturbance

*Whales migrate long distances and reproduce on a finite store of energy. Budgeting the use of this limited energy reserve is an important factor to ensure survival over the period of migration and to maximize reproductive investment. For some whales, migration routes are closely associated with coastal areas, exposing animals to high levels of human activity. It is currently unclear how various forms of human activity may disturb whales during migration, how this might impact their energy balance and how this could translate into long-term demographic changes. Here, we develop a theoretical bioenergetic model for migrating humpback whales to investigate the optimal migration strategy that minimizes energy use. The average migration velocity was an important driver of the total energy used by a whale, and an optimal velocity of 1.1 m s −1 was determined. This optimal velocity is comparable to documented observed migration speeds, suggesting that whales migrate at a speed that conserves energy. Furthermore, the amount of resting time during migration was influenced by both transport costs and feed ing rates. We simulated hypothetical disturbances to the optimal migration strategy in two ways, by altering average velocity to represent changes in behavioural activity and by increasing total travelled distance to represent displacement along the migration route. In both cases, disturbance increased overall energy use, with implications for the growth potential of calves.