Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Algebraic Branching Programs of Small Width

In 1979, Valiant showed that the complexity class VPe of families with polynomially bounded formula size is contained in the class VPs of families that have algebraic branching programs (ABPs) of polynomially bounded size. Motivated by the problem of separating these classes, we study the topological closure VPe, i.e., the class of polynomials that can be approximated arbitrarily closely by polynomials in VPe. We describe VPe using the well-known continuant polynomial (in characteristic different from 2). Further understanding this polynomial seems to be a promising route to new formula size lower bounds. Our methods are rooted in the study of ABPs of small constant width. In 1992, Ben-Or and Cleve showed that formula size is polynomially equivalent to width-3 ABP size. We extend their result (in characteristic different from 2) by showing that approximate formula size is polynomially equivalent to approximate width-2 ABP size. This is surprising because in 2011 Allender and Wang gave explicit polynomials that cannot be computed by width-2 ABPs at all! The details of our construction lead to the aforementioned characterization of VPe. As a natural continuation of this work, we prove that the class VPN can be described as the class of families that admit a hypercube summation of polynomially bounded dimension over a product of polynomially many affine linear forms. This gives the first separations of algebraic complexity classes from their nondeterministic analogs.
Cross-linking of DNA by alkylating agents and effects on DNA function in the chick embryo.

Summary Drug-induced cross-links are found in the DNA of chick embryos within 6 hr after injection of mitomycin C and methyl-di-(2-chloroethyl)amine into the egg and 24 hr after injection of triethylene thiophosphoramide. Effects on the rates of synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein were studied with chemical assays for total content of these macromolecules as well as radioactive precursor incorporation. All three drugs inhibited DNA synthesis before RNA and protein synthesis were affected, but there were discrepancies between the two methods of measuring macromolecular synthesis; thus, radioactive precursor incorporation is not always a reliable measurement of macromolecular synthesis in the chick embryo. When the effects of methyl-di-(2-chloroethyl)amine were compared to those of dimethyl-2-chloroethylamine, a monofunctional analog, the former was a more effective inhibitor of DNA and RNA synthesis at equivalent alkylating doses; however, the fact that the monofunctional analog had some inhibitory activity suggests that not all the effects of difunctional alkylating agents are due to their DNA cross-linking activity.
The Political Economy of Carbon Securities and Environmental Policy

The costs of the current suboptimal carbon abatement policy are likely in the range of 3 to 6 trillion 2005 US dollars. Using methods from the political economy of environmental policy, the paper develops a new carbon abatement policy instrument, carbon securities. A carbon security entitles its owner to a fixed proportion of ex ante unknown total emissions. This creates an additional group of stakeholders on the side of the issue that has traditionally been underrepresented. The advantages over existing systems include an equilibrium carbon price closer to the social optimum, a more predictable environmental policy, and higher investment in abatement technology
Diurnal rhythmicity and hypothalamic deficits in glucose utilization in aged ovariectomized rats

Aging is associated with a loss of cyclic gonadotropin release in female animals. This deficit may reflect dampened circadian rhythmicity of neuroendocrine events and/or altered function in hypothalamic nuclei important to regulation of cyclic female reproduction. The purpose of this study was to determine if diurnal periodicity and glucose metabolism in the hypothalamus are altered with age and whether such changes could help to explain the age-related deficits in gonadotropin release. Young (3–4-month-old) and old (18–21-month-old) rats were ovariectomized and subjected to the 2-deoxy-D-1–14C-glucose technique to measure rates of cerebral glucose utilization (GU), an index of neural function (Sokoloff et al., 1977) in various brain areas and in the pineal gland. We measured GU during the light (1400 hours) and the dark (2200 hours) in 17 anatomical regions including the following hypothalamic areas: medial preoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic preoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and median eminence. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin were measured in the same rats to determine the effect of age on both of these hormones. Diurnal periodicity of GU was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the pineal gland in young and old rats. Although there was no age difference in GU of the pineal gland, GU was reduced during the light and dark in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and all other hypothalamic areas examined except the suprachiasmatic preoptic nucleus and the median eminence. Ovariectomy induced an attenuated increase in concentrations of LH in old, compared to young rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cationic Lipids Containing Cyclen and Ammonium Moieties as Gene Delivery Vectors

In this study, two novel cationic lipids containing protonated cyclen and quaternary ammonium moieties were designed and synthesized as non‐viral gene delivery vectors. The structures of the two lipids differ in their hydrophobic region (cholesterol or diosgenin). Cationic liposomes were easily prepared from the lipids individually or from the mixtures of each cationic lipid and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. Several studies including DLS, gel retardation assay, and ethidium bromide intercalation assay suggest that these amphiphilic molecules are able to bind and compact DNA into nanometer particles which can be used as non‐viral gene delivery agents. Our results from in vitro transfection show that in association with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, two cationic lipids can induce effective gene transfection in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, although the gene transfection efficiencies of two cationic lipids were found to be lower than that of lipofectamine 2000TM. Besides, different cytotoxicity was found for two lipoplexes. This study demonstrates that the title cationic lipids have large potential to be efficient non‐viral gene vectors.
Hepatitis B Virus-Encoded X Protein Downregulates EGFR Expression via Inducing MicroRNA-7 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for over a half of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent malignant tumor of the liver. HBV-encoded X (HBx) plays critical roles in HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. However, it is unclear whether and how HBx regulates the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), an important gene for cell growth. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the association between HBx and EGFR expression. In this study, we found that HBx upregulates miR-7 expression to target 3′UTR of EGFR mRNA, which in turn results in the reduction of EGFR protein expression in HCC cells. HBx-mediated EGFR suppression renders HCC cells a slow-growth behavior. Deprivation of HBx or miR-7 expression or restoration of EGFR expression can increase the growth rate of HCC cells. Our data showed the miR-7-dependent EGFR suppression by HBx, supporting an inhibitory role of HBx in the cell growth of HCC. These findings not only identify miR-7 as a novel regulatory target of HBx, but also suggest HBx-miR-7-EGFR as a critical signaling in controlling the growth rate of HCC cells.
Treatment of Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau with TNF-Blocking Agents: Case Report and Review

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare acropustular eruption, characterized by sterile pustules, paronychia and atrophic skin changes, onychodystrophy and osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. It is considered to be a variant of pustular psoriasis with a chronic relapsing course and frequent refractoriness to many therapeutic modalities, which can be amenable to successful treatment by tumor necrosis factor α antagonists. We report 1 patient with pustular psoriasis and ACH whom we have treated successfully with etanercept (for 30 months) and then adalimumab (for 13 months and ongoing). Blanching was initially achieved with etanercept 50 mg twice a week, but suppression of periungual inflammation then required combination therapy with etanercept 50 mg twice a week and methotrexate 10 mg weekly; lower doses of both drugs did not allow complete control of the disease. Eventually, adalimumab 40 mg every 2 weeks has provided the most cost-effective response in this patient, allowing maintenance of response with partial nail regrowth under monotherapy.
Genotoxic and inflammatory effects of nanofibrillated cellulose in murine lungs

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is a sustainable and renewable nanomaterial, with diverse potential applications in the paper and medical industries. As NFC consists of long fibres of high aspect ratio, we examined here whether TEMPO-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-oxyl) oxidised NFC (length 300–1000nm, thickness 10–25nm), administrated by a single pharyngeal aspiration, could be genotoxic to mice, locally in the lungs or systemically in the bone marrow. Female C57Bl/6 mice were treated with four different doses of NFC (10, 40, 80 and 200 µg/mouse), and samples were collected 24h later. DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung cells, and chromosome damage by the bone marrow erythrocyte micronucleus assay. Inflammation was evaluated by BAL cell counts and analysis of cytokines and histopathological alterations in the lungs. A significant induction of DNA damage was observed at the two lower doses of NFC in lung cells, whereas no increase was seen in BAL cells. No effect was detected in the bone marrow micronucleus assay, either. NFC increased the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the lungs, together with a dose-dependent increase in mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor &agr;, interleukins 1&bgr; and 6, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5, although there was no effect on the levels of the respective proteins. The histological analysis showed a dose-related accumulation of NFC in the bronchi, the alveoli and some in the cytoplasm of macrophages. In addition, neutrophilic accumulation in the alveolar lung space was observed with increasing dose. Our findings showed that NFC administered by pharyngeal aspiration caused an acute inflammatory response and DNA damage in the lungs, but no systemic genotoxic effect in the bone marrow. The present experimental design did not, however, allow us to determine whether the responses were transient or could persist for a longer time.
Evolution of stochastic demography with life history tradeoffs in density-dependent age-structured populations

Significance We derive a univariate approximation for the growth of a density-dependent age-structured population in a fluctuating environment. Its accuracy is demonstrated by comparison with simulations of the age-structured model under assumptions applicable to many vertebrate populations. This facilitates extension to age-structured populations of recent theory on the evolution of stochastic population dynamics, showing that evolution tends to maximize a simple function of three key population parameters: the maximum population growth rate and carrying capacity in the average environment, r0 and K, and the variance of population growth rate, σe2. Regardless of the complexity of trade-offs among these parameters, for the classical logistic model of population growth, evolution in a fluctuating environment tends to maximize the average population size. We analyze the stochastic demography and evolution of a density-dependent age- (or stage-) structured population in a fluctuating environment. A positive linear combination of age classes (e.g., weighted by body mass) is assumed to act as the single variable of population size, N, exerting density dependence on age-specific vital rates through an increasing function of population size. The environment fluctuates in a stationary distribution with no autocorrelation. We show by analysis and simulation of age structure, under assumptions often met by vertebrate populations, that the stochastic dynamics of population size can be accurately approximated by a univariate model governed by three key demographic parameters: the intrinsic rate of increase and carrying capacity in the average environment, r0 and K, and the environmental variance in population growth rate, σe2. Allowing these parameters to be genetically variable and to evolve, but assuming that a fourth parameter, θ, measuring the nonlinearity of density dependence, remains constant, the expected evolution maximizes E[Nθ]=[1−σe2/(2r0)]Kθ. This shows that the magnitude of environmental stochasticity governs the classical trade-off between selection for higher r0 versus higher K. However, selection also acts to decrease σe2, so the simple life-history trade-off between r- and K-selection may be obscured by additional trade-offs between them and σe2. Under the classical logistic model of population growth with linear density dependence (θ=1), life-history evolution in a fluctuating environment tends to maximize the average population size.
The predictive value of school performance on the success of students in the accountancy stream at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Higher education in South Africa is currently undergoing enormous transformation with the traditional matric certificate being replaced by the new school leaving Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC). As a result the use of matric points as an entry requirement for prospective university students will no longer be possible with effect from 2008. The Education Ministry intends setting national admission criteria to which all of the country's universities and technikons would have to adhere. It is therefore an appropriate time to examine existing selection criteria and determine whether they achieve equity in the distribution of opportunities and provide fair chances of success to all those who wish to achieve their potential through higher education. The aim of this research is to find empirical evidence as to the predictive value, if any, of matric points on students' performance at university in the field of accountancy, and to establish whether a good mathematics result is a necessary prerequisite to studying accountancy as a major at university. In order to achieve this a longitudinal study using correlational and linear regression analyses was conducted on the results of two groups of students as they progressed from first year through to fourth year at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. The results showed that at the first and second-year levels there was indeed a positive linear relationship between the final marks of the first-year students and both the matric points held by those students and their matric mathematics results. The results of the linear regression analysis indicated that matric points are a stronger predictor of success in the first-year and second-year accounting course than the matric mathematics results.
Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm for a class of combinatorial optimization

This paper proposes a novel evolutionary algorithm inspired by quantum computing, called a quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm (QEA), which is based on the concept and principles of quantum computing, such as a quantum bit and superposition of states. Like other evolutionary algorithms, QEA is also characterized by the representation of the individual, evaluation function, and population dynamics. However, instead of binary, numeric, or symbolic representation, QEA uses a Q-bit, defined as the smallest unit of information, for the probabilistic representation and a Q-bit individual as a string of Q-bits. A Q-gate is introduced as a variation operator to drive the individuals toward better solutions. To demonstrate its effectiveness and applicability, experiments were carried out on the knapsack problem, which is a well-known combinatorial optimization problem. The results show that QEA performs well, even with a small population, without premature convergence as compared to the conventional genetic algorithm.
Crisis in the Gulf of Mexico

As natural-technological catastrophes become increasingly complex in their severity, scale, and duration, so too must our policy responses. Utilizing the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a case study, this paper explores the ecological, sociocultural, and political challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. Consistent with prior research on catastrophes, the findings of this study indicate that the severity of disruption substantially influences the social construction of the occasion as policy actors are ill equipped to handle the challenges at all levels of government. Drawing their interdisciplinary backgrounds in history, political science, sociology, anthropology, communications, and literary studies, the authors offer an integrative policy solutions approach predicated on a model of network governance.
Cognitive Subtypes of Schizophrenia Characterized by Differential Brain Volumetric Reductions and Cognitive Decline.

Importance Cognitively distinct subgroups of schizophrenia have been defined based on premorbid and current IQ, but little is known about the neuroanatomical differences among these cognitive subgroups. Objectives To confirm previous findings related to IQ-based subgroups of patients with schizophrenia in an independent sample and extend those findings to determine the extent to which brain volumetric differences correspond to the IQ-based subgroups. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 183 participants were assessed at the outpatient settings of Neuroscience Research Australia and Lyell McEwin Hospital from September 22, 2009, to August 1, 2012. Patients were classified using cluster analysis on the basis of current and premorbid IQ differences. Regional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain volumes were compared among the IQ-based subgroups using analysis of covariance with intracranial volume and age as covariates. Main Outcomes and Measures Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third edition, scores; Wechsler Test of Adult Reading scores; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores; and MRI brain volumes. Results Ninety-six outpatients (mean [SD] age, 35.7 [8.4] years; age range, 18-51 years; 59 men) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 87 healthy controls (mean [SD] age, 31.9 [8.4] years; age range, 20-50 years; 46 men) were studied. Sixty-two patients and 67 healthy controls underwent structural MRI of the brain. Cluster analyses revealed 25 putatively preserved patients (26%), 33 moderately deteriorated patients (34%), 27 severely deteriorated patients (28%), and 11 compromised patients (12%). Negative symptom scores were significantly worse in the severely deteriorated group relative to the putatively preserved group (F2,82 = 13.8, P < .001, effect size [ES] = 1.40). Patient subgroups analyzed revealed significantly reduced inferior parietal volume relative to controls (F3,113 = 9.7, P < .001, ES = 0.85-1.24). The severely deteriorated group had significantly reduced total hippocampal (mean [SEM], 8309.6 [175.0] vs 9024.0 [145.5]; P = .01), lingual gyrus (mean [SEM], 11 996.0 [531.5] vs 13 838.1 [441.9]; P = .05), and superior temporal sulcus (mean [SEM], 4697.8 [192.0] vs 5446.0 [159.6]; P = .05) gray matter volumes relative to the putatively preserved group (ES = 0.91-1.10). Conclusions and Relevance Using an independent sample, we obtained proportions in each IQ-based subgroup that were similar to our previous work. Inferior parietal volume reduction was characteristic of schizophrenia relative to controls, and the severely deteriorated IQ group had widespread volumetric reductions. Classifying cognitive heterogeneity in schizophrenia provides a platform to better characterize the neurobiological underpinnings of the illness and its treatment.
Self-Adaptation for Cyber-Physical Systems: A Systematic Literature Review

Context: Cyber-physical systems (CPS) seamlessly integrate computational and physical components. Adaptability, realized through feedback loops, is a key requirement to deal with uncertain operating conditions in CPS. Objective: We aim at assessing state-of-art approaches to handle self-adaptation in CPS at the architectural level. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review by searching four major scientific data bases, resulting in 1103 candidate studies and eventually retaining 42 primary studies included for data collection after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The primary concerns of adaptation in CPS are performance, flexibility, and reliability. 64% of the studies apply adap- tation at the application layer and 24% at the middleware layer. MAPE (Monitor-Analyze-Plan-Execute) is the dominant adaptation mechanism (60%), followed by agents and self-organization (both 29%). Remarkably, 36% of the studies combine differ- ent mechanisms to realize adaptation; 17% combine MAPE with agents. The dominating application domain is energy (24%). Conclusions: Our findings show that adaptation in CPS is a cross-layer concern, where solutions combine different adaptation mechanisms within and across layers. This raises challenges for future research both in the field of CPS and self-adaptation, including: how to map concerns to layers and adaptation mechanisms, how to coordinate adaptation mechanisms within and across layers, and how to ensure system-wide consistency of adaptation.
Influence of hemodialysis membrane type on pentosidine plasma level, a marker of "carbonyl stress".

UNLABELLED Influence of hemodialysis membrane type on pentosidine plasma level, a marker of "carbonyl stress. " BACKGROUND The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in uremia has been ascribed to the retention of carbonyl precursors of AGEs. Pentosidine plasma level has been identified as a surrogate marker of carbonyl precursors ("carbonyl stress"). The influence of hemodialysis (HD) membrane type and residual diuresis on carbonyl stress has not been studied. METHODS We measured protein-linked and free plasma pentosidine (a surrogate marker of carbonyl stress) by high-performance liquid chromatography in patients on HD with low-flux cellulose (N = 29), high-flux polysulfone (PS; N = 57), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (N = 25), and AN69 (N = 15). RESULTS Both protein-linked and free pentosidine were similar on low-flux cellulose, high-flux PMMA, and AN69, but were lower (P < 0.01) on high-flux PS. Pentosidine levels were virtually identical on Fresenius and Asahi PS in Japanese and Belgian patients. By multivariate analysis, only the type of HD membrane and residual diuresis proved to be independent determinants (P < 0.001) of pentosidine levels. During a single HD session, the clearance of free pentosidine was similar with all membranes. In three patients who were switched from AN69 to PS, the protein-linked pentosidine level dropped to the control level after resumption of the AN69 membrane. CONCLUSIONS Both HD membrane type and residual diuresis are independent determinants of pentosidine plasma level, which is a marker of carbonyl stress.