Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN AXIOMATIC APPROACH TO NUMERICAL APPROXIMATIONS OF STOCHASTIC PROCESSES

An axiomatic approach to the numerical approximation Y of some stochastic process X with values on a separable Hilbert space H is presented by means of Lyapunov-type control functions V . The processes X and Y are interpreted as flows of stochastic differential and difference equations, respectively. The main result is the proof of some extensions of well-known deterministic principle of Kantorovich-Lax-Richtmeyer to approximate solutions of initial value differential problems to the stochastic case. The concepts of invariance, smoothness of martingale parts, consistency, stability, and contractivity of stochastic processes are uniquely combined to derive efficient convergence rates on finite and infinite time-intervals. The applicability of our results is explained with drift-implicit backward Euler methods applied to ordinary stochastic differential equations (SDEs) driven by standard Wiener processes on Euclidean spaces H = Rd along functions such as V (x) = ki=0 cix. A detailed discussion on an example with cubic nonlinearity from field theory in physics (stochastic Ginzburg-Landau equation) illustrates the suggested axiomatic approach.
On the rapid convergence of a class of decentralized decision processes: quantized progressive second-price auctions

A progressive second price (PSP) auction mechanism was proposed in (Semret, Liao, Campbell & Lazar 2000) for network bandwidth allocation. In this paper a quantized version of this mechanism (Q-PSP) is analyzed where the agents have similar demand functions and submit bids synchronously. It is shown that the non-linear dynamics induced by this mechanism are such that the prices bid by the various agents and the quantities allocated to these agents converge in at most five iterations or oscillate indefinitely; this behaviour is not only independent of the number of agents involved but is also independent of the number of quantization levels.
Cardiac-Oxidized Antigens Are Targets of Immune Recognition by Antibodies and Potential Molecular Determinants in Chagas Disease Pathogenesis

Trypanosoma cruzi elicits reactive oxygen species (ROS) of inflammatory and mitochondrial origin in infected hosts. In this study, we examined ROS-induced oxidative modifications in the heart and determined whether the resultant oxidized cardiac proteins are targets of immune response and of pathological significance in Chagas disease. Heart biopsies from chagasic mice, rats and human patients exhibited, when compared to those from normal controls, a substantial increase in protein 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl, and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) adducts. To evaluate whether oxidized proteins gain antigenic properties, heart homogenates or isolated cardiomyocytes were oxidized in vitro and one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE)/Western blotting (WB) was performed to investigate the proteomic oxidative changes and recognition of oxidized proteins by sera antibodies in chagasic rodents (mice, rats) and human patients. Human cardiomyocytes exhibited LD50 sensitivity to 30 µM 4-HNE and 100 µM H2O2 at 6 h and 12 h, respectively. In vitro oxidation with 4-HNE or H2O2 resulted in a substantial increase in 4-HNE- and carbonyl-modified proteins that correlated with increased recognition of cardiac (cardiomyocytes) proteins by sera antibodies of chagasic rodents and human patients. 2D-GE/Western blotting followed by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis to identify cardiac proteins that were oxidized and recognized by human chagasic sera yielded 82 unique proteins. We validated the 2D-GE results by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and WB and demonstrated that oxidation of recombinant titin enhanced its immunogenicity and recognition by sera antibodies from chagasic hosts (rats and humans). Treatment of infected rats with phenyl-α-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN, antioxidant) resulted in normalized immune detection of cardiac proteins associated with control of cardiac pathology and preservation of heart contractile function in chagasic rats. We conclude that ROS-induced, cardiac-oxidized antigens are targets of immune recognition by antibodies and molecular determinants for pathogenesis during Chagas disease.
Angiopoietin Like Protein 2 (ANGPTL2) Promotes Adipose Tissue Macrophage and T lymphocyte Accumulation and Leads to Insulin Resistance

Objectives Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2), a recently identified pro-inflammatory cytokine, is mainly secreted from the adipose tissue. This study aimed to explore the role of ANGPTL2 in adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage activation in a mouse model of diabetes. Methodology/Principal Findings Adenovirus mediated lacZ (Ad-LacZ) or human ANGPTL2 (Ad-ANGPTL2) was delivered via tail vein in diabetic db/db mice. Ad-ANGPTL2 treatment for 2 weeks impaired both glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity as compared to Ad-LacZ treatment. Ad-ANGPTL2 treatment significantly induced pro-inflammatory gene expression in white adipose tissue. We also isolated stromal vascular fraction from epididymal fat pad and analyzed adipose tissue macrophage and T lymphocyte populations by flow cytometry. Ad-ANGPTL2 treated mice had more adipose tissue macrophages (F4/80+CD11b+) and a larger M1 macrophage subpopulation (F4/80+CD11b+CD11c+). Moreover, Ad-ANGPTL2 treatment increased a CD8-positive T cell population in adipose tissue, which preceded increased macrophage accumulation. Consistent with our in vivo results, recombinant human ANGPTL2 protein treatment increased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory gene products and production of TNF-α protein in the human macrophage-like cell line THP-1. Furthermore, Ad-ANGPTL2 treatment induced lipid accumulation and increased fatty acid synthesis, lipid metabolism related gene expression in mouse liver. Conclusion ANGPTL2 treatment promotes macrophage accumulation and activation. These results suggest potential mechanisms for insulin resistance.
The Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Animal Studies: A Meta-Analysis

Background Inconsistent results have been reported for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for acute stroke. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of HBO in animal studies of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods A systematic search of the literature published prior to September 2015 was performed using Embase, Medline (OvidSP), Web of Science and PubMed. Keywords included “hyperoxia” OR “hyperbaric oxygen” OR “HBO” AND “isch(a)emia” OR “focal cerebral ischemia” OR “stroke” OR “infarct” OR “middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). ” The primary endpoints were the infarct size and/or neurological outcome score evaluated after HBO treatment in MCAO. Heterogeneity was analyzed using Cochrane Library’s RevMan 5.3. 5. Results Fifty-one studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified among the 1198 studies examined. When compared with control group data, HBO therapy resulted in infarct size reduction or improved neurological function (32% decrease in infarct size; 95% confidence interval (CI), range 28%–37%; p < 0.00001). Mortality was 18.4% in the HBO group and 26.7% in the control group (RR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.54–0.98; p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis showed that a maximal neuro-protective effect was reached when HBO was administered immediately after MCAO with an absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) of 2.0 (50% decrease; 95% CI, 43% -57% decrease; p < 0.0001) and more than 6 hours HBO treatment (53% decrease; 95% CI, 41% -64% decrease; p = 0.0005). Conclusions HBO had a neuro-protective effect and improved survival in animal models of MCAO, especially in animals given more than 6 hours of HBO and when given immediately after MCAO with 2.0 ATA.
EFFECTS OF MONOCULAR DEPRIVATION ON THE THICKNESS OF NEURAL RETINA

Background: Monocular visual deprivation as a result of cataracts occurring in children who previously had normal vision may result in permanent visual deficits. However, if correction is done before the age of ten years, vision is usually restored to normal levels in the affected eye. This has been attributed to plastic changes that occur in the visual cortex, with no mention of the contribution of the retina to this plasticity. Objective: To describe the effect of monocular deprivation on the thickness of neural retina. Study design: Quasi-experimental study using a rabbit model. Materials and methods: 30 rabbits (18 experimental, 12 controls) were examined. Monocular deprivation was achieved through unilateral lid suture in the experimental animals. The rabbits were observed for three weeks. Each week, 6 experimental and 3 control animals were euthanized, their retina harvested and processed for light microscopy. In experimental animals, retina of both deprived (closed) and non-deprived (open) eyes were studied. Haematoxylin & Eosin stain was used to demonstrate the layers of the retina. Photomicrographs of the retina were taken using a digital camera then entered into FIJI software for analysis. Results: In the deprived eyes, the neural retina thickness reduced by 40.5% from the baseline (p = 0.001). Compared to controls, statistically significant reduction in thickness was noted in the ganglion (p < 0.001), inner nuclear (p < 0.001), rod and cones (p = 0.001), outer plexiform (p = 0.008), nerve fiber (p = 0.010), and inner plexiform (p = 0.024) layers. Among the non-deprived eyes, the neural retina thickness increased by 9.8% from baseline (p = 0.075). Compared to controls, statistically significant increase in thickness was seen in the inner plexiform (p < 0.001), inner nuclear (p = 0.002), and rods and cones (p = 0.007) layers. Conclusion: Monocular deprivation results in atrophy of the retina in the deprived eye. Thus, pre-retinal causes of blindness such as cataracts affects the retina and should be corrected early so as to minimize damage to the retina of the deprived eye.
Estimating rates of population change for a neotropical parrot with ratio, mark-recapture and matrix methods

Robust methods for estimating rates of population change ( u ) are necessary for applied and theoretical goals in conservation and evolutionary biology. Traditionally, u has been calculated from either ratios of population counts (observed u or u obs ), or population models based on projection matrices (asymptotic u or u asy ,). New mark-recapture methods permit calculation of u from mark-resighting information alone (realized u or u rea ), but empirical comparisons with other methods are rare. In this paper, rates of population change were calculated for a population of green-rumped parrotlets ( Forpus passerinus ) that have been studied for more than a decade in central Venezuela. First, a ratio method based on counts of detected birds was used to calculate u obs. Next, a temporal symmetry method based on mark-recapture data (i.e. the u -parameterization introduced by Pradel, 1996) was used to calculate u rea . Finally, a stage-structured matrix model based on state-specific estimates of fecundity, immigration, local survival, and transition rates was used to calculate u asy . Analyses were conducted separately for females and males. Overall values of u from the three methods were consistent and all indicated that the finite rate of population change was not significantly different from 1. Annual values of u from the three methods were also in general agreement for a majority of years. However, u rea from the temporal symmetry method had the greatest precision, and apparently better accuracy than u asy . Unrealistic annual values of u asy could have been due to poor estimates of the transitional probability of becoming a breeder ( é ) or to a mismatch between the actual and the asymptotic stable stage distribution. In this study, the trade-off between biological realism and accuracy was better met by the temporal symmetry than the matrix method. Our results suggest that the temporal symmetry models can be applied with confidence to populations where less information may be available.
Lipid-lowering therapy using statins in patients with cardiovascular risk in clinical practice in Thailand

Background Since the release in Thailand in 2001 of the Third Guidelines by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults or the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III), there have been no nationwide studies on the proportion of dyslipidaemic patients who have achieved the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. The authors therefore aimed to estimate the percentage achievement of LDL-C goals based on the modified NCEP ATP III guidelines in intermediate- to high-risk patients. Methods The authors conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey. Patients (1240) were selected consecutively from 50 hospitals across Thailand. Patients were included if they had been treated with statins for at least 3 months. Results Two-thirds were female, and the mean age was 61.7±9.5 years. The median duration of statin treatment was 21 months. Half (633/ 1240) of the patients achieved the LDL-C goal levels as defined by the NCEP guidelines (51.1%, 95% CI 48.3% to 53.8%). The very-high-risk group had the lowest percentage achievement (11.6%; 95% CI 1.6% to 21.6%), compared with 54.2% (95% CI 50.9% to 57.4%) for the high-risk group and 47.0% (95% CI 41.1% to 52.8%) for the moderate-risk group. More males achieved the LDL-C goals than females (55.6% vs 48.9%; p=0.029). Conclusions Overall, 51.1% of the patients with cardiovascular risk, on statins treatment, achieved the NCEP ATP III LDL-C goal levels.
Design of carry select adder for low-power and high speed VLSI applications

Low-power and high-performance VLSI systems are increasingly used in portable and mobile devices, multi-standard wireless receivers, and in biomedical applications. An adder is main component of an arithmetic unit. An efficient adder design essentially improves the performance of a complex DSP system. Carry select adder (CSLA) is known to be the fastest adder among the conventional adder structures. This work presents a method to eliminate all the unnecessary logic operations present in conventional CSLA and suggest a new logic formulation for CSLA. In the suggested scheme, the selection of carry (CS) is performed before the calculation of final sum, which different from the conventional CSLA. The proposed CSLA was synthesized using Xilinx ISE and power was analyzed using Xilinx Xpower Analyzer.
CYBER SWARM ALGORITHMS FOR MULTI-OBJECTIVE NURSE ROSTERING PROBLEM

It is time-consuming to determine the nurse rostering using traditional human-involved manner in order to account for administrative operations, business benefits, governmental regulations, and nurse requests. Moreover, the objectives cannot be measured quantitatively even when the nurse rostering is generated after a lengthy manual process. This paper presents a multiobjective optimization method based on the cyber swarm algorithm (CSA), one of the most successful variations of particle swarm optimization, to solve the nurse rostering problem with multiple objectives and a set of hard constraints. The proposed method incorporates salient features from particle swarm optimization, adaptive memory programming, scatter search and path relinking to create advantages. The experimental results on two test datasets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms several state-of-the-art multiobjective evolutionary algorithms in obtaining results with better convergence and diversity performances.
Deconvolution of Event-Related fMRI Responses in Fast-Rate Experimental Designs: Tracking Amplitude Variations

Recent developments towards event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging has greatly extended the range of experimental designs. If the events occur in rapid succession, the corresponding time-locked responses overlap significantly and need to be deconvolved in order to separate the contributions of different events. Here we present a deconvolution approach, which is especially aimed at the analysis of fMRI data where sequence- or context-related responses are expected. For this purpose, we make the assumption of a hemodynamic response function (HDR) with constant yet not predefined shape but with possibly variable amplitudes. This approach reduces the number of variables to be estimated but still keeps the solutions flexible with respect to the shape. Consequently, statistical efficiency is improved. Temporal variations of the HDR strength are directly indicated by the amplitudes derived by the algorithm. Both the estimation efficiency and statistical inference are further supported by an improved estimation of the noise covariance. Using synthesized data sets, both differently shaped HDRs and varying amplitude factors were correctly identified. The gain in statistical sensitivity led to improved ratios of false- and true-positive detection rates for synthetic activations in these data. In an event-related fMRI experiment with a human subject, different HDR amplitudes could be derived corresponding to stimulation at different visual stimulus contrasts. Finally, in a visual spatial attention experiment we obtained different fMRI response amplitudes depending on the sequences of attention conditions.
Methods for Studying the Structure of Social Representations: A Critical Review and Agenda for Future Research

This article deals with the methodologies commonly used in the framework of the structural approach to social representations. It concerns free and hierarchical evocations, the characterization questionnaire, the similarity analysis, the basic cognitive schemes model, the attribute-challenge technique and the test of context independence. More than a simple review of these methodologies, it offers a critical approach concerning the problems encountered and related to: thresholds or “cutoff points” used to diagnose the structure (core vs. periphery) and the accuracy of the structural diagnosis, grouping methods employed to reduce the corpus of verbal associations, the dilemma between reliability and feasibility, especially in field research, the adequacy and number of modalities of response in the framework of the structural diagnosis. Following this evaluation, this article suggests potential solutions to overcome these methodological limitations. Moreover, as methodological issues are closely related to theoretical questions, the link between social representation theory and identity approaches is discussed.
Where are we Headed with Benefits Management Research? Current Shortcomings and Avenues for Future Research

In 1996, the Cranfield benefits management (BM) process model was developed as a response to organizations’ dissatisfaction with the results of information systems and information technology (IS/IT) projects. In contrast with traditional project management dimensions, such as time, cost, and quality, BM emphasizes the need to identify, plan, realize, and review benefits, particularly by means of business changes. The extant literature presents several BM frameworks and methods, signaling its character as an evolving discipline. Despite this progress in research, most studies still report dissatisfyingly low BM adoption rates in practice. We aim to understand why BM is still rarely used in practice by classifying the literature with a multi-perspective framework. We find the BM literature rather unbalanced, as studies on how to conduct BM are common, but papers that investigate concepts such as the adoption/usage and context of BM in organizations are highly underrepresented. We conclude that the BM discipline still has open fields and white spots, and needs to gradually change direction.
A study of graphenes prepared by different methods: characterization, properties and solubilization

Graphene has been prepared by different methods: pyrolysis of camphor under reducing conditions (CG), exfoliation of graphitic oxide (EG), conversion of nanodiamond (DG) and arc evaporation of SiC (SG). The samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Raman spectroscopy shows EG and DG to exhibit smaller in-plane crystallite sizes, but in combination with XRD results EG comes out to be better. The CG, EG and DG samples prepared by us have BET surface areas of 46, 925 and 520 m2 g−1 respectively and exhibit significant hydrogen uptake up to 3 wt%. EG also exhibits a high CO2 uptake (34.7 wt%). Electrochemical redox properties of the graphene samples have been examined in addition to their use in electrochemical supercapacitors. Functionalization of EG and DG through amidation has been carried out with the purpose of solubilizing them in non-polar solvents. Water-soluble graphene has been produced by extensive acid treatment of EG or treatment with polyethylene glycol.
Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Objectives. The main objective of this study was to assess the mercury exposure levels in dental health workers that work in dental clinics. The study evaluated the airborne and urinary mercury levels, the type of work done in the clinic, and the effect of mercury exposure on health of dental health workers. Material and Methods. A case-control study was conducted with 124 exposed and 124 matched nonexposed subjects. Personal and area samplings were conducted to quantify mercury concentrations by solid sorbent tube. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results and Discussion. 17.6% (n = 32/182) of the air samples were higher than the occupational exposure limit (OEL). A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included dietary consumption (fish or seafood), duration of work (yrs), work position, personal protection equipment used (PPE), and personal hygiene behaviors. Significant correlations were observed between mercury levels in urine and mercury in storage areas (r = 0.499, P < 0.05) and between mercury levels in urine and airborne mercury in personal samplings (r = 0.878, P < 0.001). Conclusion. Improvements in working conditions, occupational health training, and PPE use are recommended to reduce mercury exposure.