Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytokine gene polymorphisms and acute liver graft rejection: A meta‐analysis

In the field of liver transplantation, 7 reports have been published investigating the association between polymorphisms in cytokine genes and the occurrence of acute rejection in liver graft recipients. However, most of the individual studies lack the statistical power to detect a small‐to‐moderate effect of cytokine gene polymorphisms on the acute rejection rate. To overcome this problem, we performed a quantitative meta‐analysis of 7 gene‐association studies that were comparable with regard to definition of acute rejection and the type of immunosuppression used. In the overall analysis, the interleukin (IL)‐10 polymorphism at position −1082 was identified as a genetic risk factor for acute liver graft rejection; liver transplant recipients carrying the IL‐10 −1082.A allele displayed a lower rejection rate (common odds ratio [OR], .6; 95% confidence interval [CI], .4‐.9). For the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐A −308 polymorphism, a common OR could not be calculated due to significant heterogeneity of ORs between the studies (mean OR, 1.4; 95% CI, .8‐2.6). No associations were found between acute liver graft rejection and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL‐6 (position −174) and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 (positions +869 and +915) genes. In conclusion, results from this meta‐analysis suggest a role for the IL‐10 −1082 polymorphism in human liver graft rejection. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:19–26.)
Complete Recovery from Juvenile Pemphigus Vulgaris

A 10‐year‐old boy with vesicles and eroded lesions on his labia, oral mucosa, and trunk was diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic and immunofluorescence studies. The patient was successfully treated systemically with methylprednisolone and azathioprine. After 4.5 years the therapy was discontinued and the patient has had no relapse over the last 4 years.
Replication of the correlation between natural mood states and working memory-related prefrontal activity measured by near-infrared spectroscopy in a German sample

Previous studies have suggested complex interactions of mood and cognition in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). Although such interactions might be influenced by various factors such as personality and cultural background, their reproducibility and generalizability have hardly been explored. In the present study, we focused on a previously found correlation between negative mood states and PFC activity during a verbal working memory (WM) task, which had been demonstrated by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a Japanese sample. To confirm and extend the generalizability of this finding, we conducted a similar experiment in a German sample, i.e., participants with a different language background. Here, PFC activity during verbal and spatial WM tasks was measured by NIRS using a delayed match-to-sample paradigm after the participants' natural mood states had been evaluated by a mood questionnaire (Profiles of Mood States: POMS). We also included control tasks to consider the general effect of visual/auditory inputs and motor responses. For the verbal WM task, the POMS total mood disturbance (TMD) score was negatively correlated with baseline-corrected NIRS data mainly over the left dorsolateral PFC (i.e., higher TMD scores were associated with reduced activation), which is consistent with previous studies. Moreover, this relationship was also present when verbal WM activation was contrasted with the control task. These results suggest that the mood–cognition interaction within the PFC is reproducible in a sample with a different language background and represents a general phenomenon.
Mean length of utterance in children with specific language impairment and in younger control children shows concurrent validity and stable and parallel growth trajectories.

PURPOSE Although mean length of utterance (MLU) is a useful benchmark in studies of children with specific language impairment (SLI), some empirical and interpretive issues are unresolved. The authors report on 2 studies examining, respectively, the concurrent validity and temporal stability of MLU equivalency between children with SLI and typically developing children. METHOD Study 1 used 124 archival conversational samples consisting of 39 children with SLI (age 5;0 [years;months]), 40 MLU-equivalent typically developing children (age 3;0), and 45 age-equivalent controls. Concurrent validity of MLU matches was examined by considering the correspondence between MLU and developmental sentence scoring (DSS), index of productive syntax (IPSyn), and MLU in words. Study 2 used 205 archival conversational samples, representing 5 years of longitudinal data collected on 20 children with SLI (from age 5;0) and 18 MLU matches (from age 3;0). Evaluation of growth dimensions within and across groups was carried out via growth-curve modeling. RESULTS In Study 1, high levels of correlation among the MLU, DSS, and IPSyn measures were observed. Differences between groups were not significant. In Study 2, temporal stability of MLU matches was robust over a 5 year period. CONCLUSIONS MLU appears to be a reliable and valid index of general language development and an appropriate grouping variable from age 3 to 10. The developmental stability of MLU matches is indicative of shared underlying growth mechanisms.
Quantifying the Availability of TV White Spaces for Cognitive Radio Operation in the UK

Cognitive radio is being intensively researched for opportunistic access to the so-called TV White Spaces (TVWS): large portions of the VHF/UHF TV bands which become available on a geographical basis after the digital switchover. Using accurate digital TV (DTV) coverage maps together with a database of DTV transmitters, we develop a methodology for identifying TVWS frequencies at any given location in the United Kingdom. We use our methodology to investigate variations in TVWS as a function of the location and transmit power of cognitive radios, and examine how constraints on adjacent channel interference imposed by regulators may affect the results. Our analysis provides a realistic view on the spectrum opportunity associated with cognitive devices, and presents the first quantitative study of the availability and frequency composition of TWVS outside the United States.
Estimating soil electric properties from monostatic ground‐penetrating radar signal inversion in the frequency domain

A new integrated approach for identifying the shallow subsurface electric properties from ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) signal is proposed. It is based on an ultrawide band (UWB) stepped frequency continuous wave (SFCW) radar combined with a dielectric filled transverse electric and magnetic (TEM) horn antenna to be used off the ground in monostatic mode; that is, a single antenna is used as emitter and receiver. This radar configuration is appropriate for subsurface mapping and allows for an efficient and more realistic modeling of the radar‐antenna‐subsurface system. Forward modeling is based on linear system response functions and on the exact solution of the three‐dimensional Maxwell equations for wave propagation in a horizontally multilayered medium representing the subsurface. Subsurface electric properties, i.e., dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity, are estimated by model inversion using the global multilevel coordinate search optimization algorithm combined sequentially with the local Nelder‐Mead simplex algorithm (GMCS‐NMS). Inversion of synthetic data and analysis of the corresponding response surfaces proved the uniqueness of the inverse solution. Laboratory experiments on a tank filled with a homogeneous sand subject to different water content levels further demonstrated the stability and accuracy of the solution toward measurement and modeling errors, particularly those associated with the dielectric permittivity. Inversion for the electric conductivity led to less satisfactory results. This was mainly attributed to the characterization of the frequency response of the antenna and to the high frequency dependence of the electric conductivity.
Shape-constrained repulsive snake method to segment and track neurons in 3D microscopy images

To study the structure and branch pattern of neurons, it is important to segment and track neurons at first. We develop a snake model based on repulsive force to segment neurons in 3D microscopy image stacks. To overcome the difficulty that the boundary between two adjacent neurons is weak, we introduce a shape constraint on the snake deformation and use repulsive force to keep snakes of adjacent objects from merging into one. After obtaining the contours on the first image slice, we project them to the next slice as initialization for snake deformation and repeat the process for all the slices in a 3D image stacks. Individual neuron is tracked by connecting the corresponding snake through all slices. Results obtained from processing real data show that the method can successfully segment two or more neurons that are close to each other in 3D
Audio Matching via Chroma-Based Statistical Features

In this paper, we describe an efficient method for audio matching which performs effectively for a wide range of classical music. The basic goal of audio matching can be described as follows: consider an audio database containing several CD recordings for one and the same piece of music interpreted by various musicians. Then, given a short query audio clip of one interpretation, the goal is to automatically retrieve the corresponding excerpts from the other interpretations. To solve this problem, we introduce a new type of chroma-based audio feature that strongly correlates to the harmonic progression of the audio signal. Our feature shows a high degree of robustness to variations in parameters such as dynamics, timbre, articulation, and local tempo deviations. As another contribution, we describe a robust matching procedure, which allows to handle global tempo variations. Finally, we give a detailed account on our experiments, which have been carried out on a database of more than 110 hours of audio comprising a wide range of classical music.
Solar Wind Plasma Interaction with Asteroid 16 Psyche: Implication for Formation Theories

The asteroid 16 Psyche is a primitive metal‐rich asteroid that has not yet been visited by spacecraft. Based on remote observations, Psyche is most likely composed of iron and nickel metal; however, the history of its formation and solidification is still unknown. If Psyche is a remnant core of a differentiated planetesimal exposed by collisions, it opens a unique window toward understanding the cores of the terrestrial bodies, including the Earth and Mercury. If not, it is perhaps a reaccreted rubble pile that has never melted. In the former case, Psyche may have a remanent, dipolar magnetic field; in the latter case, Psyche may have no intrinsic field, but nevertheless would be a conductive object in the solar wind. We use Advanced Modeling Infrastructure in Space Simulation (AMITIS), a three‐dimensional GPU‐based hybrid model of plasma that self‐consistently couples the interior electromagnetic response of Psyche (i.e., magnetic diffusion) to its ambient plasma environment in order to quantify the different interactions under these two cases. The model results provide estimates for the electromagnetic environment of Psyche, showing that the magnetized case and the conductive case present very different signatures in the solar wind. These results have implications for an accurate interpretation of magnetic field observations by NASA's Discovery mission (Psyche mission) to the asteroid 16 Psyche.
Prevalence and Predictors of Hypovitaminosis D Among Female University Students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND A high hypovitaminosis D prevalence has repeatedly been reported in Middle Eastern countries. Previous data regarding the vitamin D status of young women in Saudi Arabia and the related hypovitaminosis D risk factors are scarce, so this research assessed hypovitaminosis D prevalence and its risk factors among apparently healthy female university students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. METHODS This cross-sectional research used a convenience sample of healthy female students (n = 180) aged between 19 and 25 years in May 2016. Information was gathered on the participants’ sociodemographics, health, lifestyle, dietary intakes, anthropometry, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess hypovitaminosis D risk factors. RESULTS The sample’s hypovitaminosis D prevalence (25(OH)D <30 ng/mL) was 80.6%. The main determinants of hypovitaminosis D were as follows: urban residence (odds ratio [OR] = 6.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.74–5.63), rare sun exposure (OR = 6.14; 95% CI, 2.15–17.55), and insufficient vitamin D intake (OR = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.07–5.81). CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize that despite plentiful sunshine, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East face a vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Vitamin D status must therefore be assessed at the national level so that strategies aimed at boosting vitamin D levels can be instigated.
N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy by Inhibition of Retinal Vascular Damage and Enhanced Endothelial Progenitor Cell Reparative Function

Objective The vasodegenerative phase of diabetic retinopathy is characterized by not only retinal vascular degeneration but also inadequate vascular repair due to compromised bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We propose that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficiency in diabetes results in activation of the central enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) and that ASM represents a molecular metabolic link connecting the initial damage in the retina and the dysfunction of EPCs. Research Design and Methods Type 2 diabetic rats on control or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich diet were studied. The number of acellular capillaries in the retinas was assessed by trypsin digest. mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in the retinas from diabetic animals were compared to controls and ASM protein was assessed by western analysis. EPCs were isolated from blood and bone marrow and their numbers and ability to form colonies in vitro, ASM activity and lipid profiles were determined. Results DHA-rich diet prevented diabetes-induced increase in the number of retinal acellular capillaries and significantly enhanced the life span of type 2 diabetic animals. DHA-rich diet blocked upregulation of ASM and other inflammatory markers in diabetic retina and prevented the increase in ASM activity in EPCs, normalized the numbers of circulating EPCs and improved EPC colony formation. Conclusions In a type 2 diabetes animal model, DHA-rich diet fully prevented retinal vascular pathology through inhibition of ASM in both retina and EPCs, leading to a concomitant suppression of retinal inflammation and correction of EPC number and function.
Monitoring the T cell response to genital tract infection

To date, it has not been possible to study antigen-specific T cell responses during primary infection of the genital tract. The low frequency of pathogen-specific T cells in a naïve mouse makes it difficult to monitor the initial events after antigen encounter. We developed a system to examine the response of pathogen-specific T cells in the genital mucosa after intrauterine infection. We identified the protective CD4+ T cell antigen Cta1 from Chlamydia trachomatis and generated T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic (tg) mice with specificity for this protein. By transferring TCR tg T cells into naïve animals, we determined that Chlamydia-specific T cells were activated and proliferated in the lymph nodes draining the genital tract after primary intrauterine infection. Activated T cells migrated into the genital mucosa and secreted IFN-γ. The development of Chlamydia-specific TCR tg mice provides an approach for dissecting how pathogen-specific T cells function in the genital tract.
Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in Concrete Reported by ACI Committee 233 ACI 233 R-95

ron blast-furnace sl ag as a constituent of conc rete, either as an aggregate or as a cementing material, or both, is well known. The use o ground granulated blast-furnace (GGBF) sl ag in the production of blended cements b egan in 1905 in the United States. Recent attention has been given to the use of GGBF slag as a sepa rate cementitious constituent of concrete. This report primarily addresses the use of GGBF slag as a separate cementitious material added along with portland cement in the p roduction of conc rete. Other slags derived f rom the smelting of materials other than i ron ores are not discussed in this report. The reader should be aware that the material characteristics described and the r commendations for use pertain solely to g round granulated i ron blast-furnace (GGBF) slag.
Subtelomeric chromosomal rearrangements in a large cohort of unexplained intellectually disabled individuals in Indonesia: A clinical and molecular study

CONTEXT: Unbalanced subtelomeric chromosomal rearrangements are often associated with intellectual disability (ID) and malformation syndromes. The prevalence of such rearrangements has been reported to be 5-9% in ID populations. AIMS: To study the prevalence of subtelomeric rearrangements in the Indonesian ID population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested 436 subjects with unexplained ID using multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) using the specific designed sets of probes to detect human subtelomeric chromosomal imbalances (SALSA P070 and P036D). If necessary, abnormal findings were confirmed by other MLPA probe kits, fluorescent in situ hybridization or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism array. RESULTS: A subtelomeric aberration was identified in 3.7% of patients (16/436). Details on subtelomeric aberrations and confirmation analyses are discussed. CONCLUSION: This is the first study describing the presence of subtelomeric rearrangements in individuals with ID in Indonesia. Furthermore, it shows that also in Indonesia such abnormalities are a prime cause of ID and that in developing countries with limited diagnostic services such as Indonesia, it is important and feasible to uncover the genetic etiology in a significant number of cases with ID.
Is She Patting Katie? Constraints on Pronominal Reference in 30-Month-Olds

In this study we investigate young children’s knowledge of syntactic constraints on Noun Phrase reference by testing 30-month-olds’ interpretation of two types of transitive sentences. In a preferential looking task, we find that children prefer different interpretations for transitive sentences whose object NP is a name (e.g., She’s patting Katie) as compared with those whose object NP is a reflexive pronoun (e.g., She’s patting herself). They map the former onto an other-directed event (one girl patting another) and the latter onto a self-directed event (one girl patting her own head). These preferences are carried by high-vocabulary children in the sample and suggest that 30-month-olds have begun to distinguish among different types of transitive sentences. Children’s adult-like interpretations are consistent with adherence to Principles A and C of Binding Theory and suggest that further research using the preferential looking procedure to investigate young children’s knowledge of syntactic constraints may be fruitful.
Diabetic Driving Studies—Part 1: Brake Response Time in Diabetic Drivers With Lower Extremity Neuropathy

ABSTRACT Although the effect of lower extremity pathology and surgical intervention on automobile driving function has been a topic of contemporary interest, we are unaware of any analysis of the effect of lower extremity diabetic sensorimotor neuropathy on driving performance. The objective of the present case‐control investigation was to assess the mean brake response time in diabetic drivers with lower extremity neuropathy compared with that of a control group and a brake response safety threshold. The driving performances of participants were evaluated using a computerized driving simulator with specific measurement of the mean brake response time and frequency of abnormally delayed brake responses. We analyzed a control group of 25 active drivers with neither diabetes nor lower extremity neuropathy and an experimental group of 25 active drivers with type 2 diabetes and lower extremity neuropathy. The experimental group demonstrated a 37.89% slower mean brake response time (0.757 ± 0.180 versus 0.549 ± 0.076 second; p < .001), with abnormally delayed responses occurring at a greater frequency (57.5% versus 3.5%; p < .001). Independent of a comparative statistical analysis, the observed mean brake response time in the experimental group was slower than the reported safety brake response threshold of 0.70 second. The results of the present investigation provide original data with respect to abnormally delayed brake responses in diabetic patients with lower extremity neuropathy and might raise the potential for impaired driving function in this population.
Nutrient uptake by rice and weeds as influenced by different weed management practices in dry-seeded rice

Rice cultivation by direct-seeding is viewed as both cost and labor saving practice and becoming popular alternative to transplanting in some regions of Asia. Compared to transplanted rice, under directseeding, weeds have been found to be the biggest biological constraint because they emerge simultaneously with rice seedlings (Rao and Nagamani 2013). Ninty per cent loss in grain yield due to weeds in direct-seeded rice was reported by Zahoor et al. (2014). The yield losses in direct-seeded rice may range from 10 to 100% depending on type of weed flora, their density and duration of competition (Rao et al. 2007). In this context, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of weed management practices on nutrient uptake of weeds and crop.
Connected Health in Multiple Sclerosis: A Mobile Applications Review

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease that can adversely affect any body function; this often requires persons with MS to be active patients who are able to self-manage. There are currently thousands of health applications available but it is unknown how many concern MS. We conducted a systematic review of all MS apps present in the most popular app stores (iTunes and Google Play store) on June 2016 to identify all relevant MS apps. After discarding non-MS related apps and duplicates, only a total of 25 MS apps were identified. App description contents and features were explored to assess target audience, functionalities, and developing entities. The vast majority of apps were focused on disease and treatment information with disease management being a close second. This is the first study that reviews MS apps and it highlights an interesting gap in the current repertoire of MS mHealth resources.