Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized parallel selection in sorted matrices

This paper presents a parallel algorithm running in time O(log m log* m(log log m+log(n/m))) time on an EREW PRAM with O(m/(log m log* m)) processors for the problem of selection in an m/spl times/n matrix with sorted rows and columns, m/spl les/n. Our algorithm generalizes the result of Sarnath and He (1992) for selection in a sorted matrix of equal dimensions, and thus answers the open question they posted. The algorithm is work-optimal when n/spl ges/m log m, and near optimal within O(log log m) factor otherwise. We show that our algorithm can be generalized to solve the selection problem on a set of sorted matrices of arbitrary dimensions.
Effect of Video-Game Experience and Position of Flight Stick Controller on Simulated-Flight Performance

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of video-game experience and flight-stick position on flying performance. The study divided participants into 2 groups; center- and side-stick groups, which were further divided into high and low level of video-game experience subgroups. The experiment consisted of 7 sessions of simulated flying, and in the last session, the flight stick controller was switched to the other position. Flight performance was measured in terms of the deviation of heading, altitude, and airspeed from their respective requirements. Participants with high experience in video games performed significantly better (p < .001) than the low-experienced group. Also, participants performed significantly better (p < .001) with the center-stick than the side-stick. When the side-stick controller was switched to the center-stick position, performance scores continued to increase (0.78 %). However, after switching from a center- to a side-stick controller, performance scores decreased (4.8%).
EspR-dependent ESAT-6 Protein Secretion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Requires the Presence of Virulence Regulator PhoP*

Attenuation of Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain is related to the loss of the RD1-encoded ESX-1 secretion system. The ESX-1 system secretes virulence factor ESAT-6 that plays a critical role in modulation of the host immune system, which is essential for establishment of a productive infection. Previous studies suggest that among the reasons for attenuation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra is a mutation in the phoP gene that interferes with the ESX-1 secretion system and inhibits secretion of ESAT-6. Here, we identify a totally different and distinct regulatory mechanism involving PhoP and transcription regulator EspR on transcriptional control of the espACD operon, which is required for ESX-1-dependent ESAT-6 secretion. Although both of these regulators are capable of influencing espACD expression, we show that activation of espACD requires direct recruitment of both PhoP and EspR at the espACD promoter. The most fundamental insights are derived from the inhibition of EspR binding at the espACD regulatory region of the phoP mutant strain because of PhoP-EspR protein-protein interactions. Based on these results, a model is proposed suggesting how PhoP and EspR protein-protein interactions contribute to activation of espACD expression and, in turn, control ESAT-6 secretion, an essential pathogenic determinant of M. tuberculosis. Together, these results have significant implications on the mechanism of virulence regulation of M. tuberculosis.
Changes in Thyroid Functional Tests in Breast Cancer Patients under Tamoxifen Therapy

Tamoxifen, a synthetic anti-estrogen agent, is administered as an adjuvant treatment in breast cancer. Since various studies have indicated that Tamoxifen can change some hormones and bound globolines, controversial results have been achieved using this medicine on Thyroid Functional Tests (TFT). The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Tamoxifen on TFT in women with breast cancer referred to oncology clinic in Imam Hossein hospital between 2001 and 2002. Method: A quasi-experimental clinical trial study was performed on 23 women with breast cancer in a single blind basis (with no control group). Patients were under Tamoxifen 20 mg P.O. daily and their serum TSH, free T4 and three Iodothyronine (T3) were assessed before treatment with Tamoxifen and after 3 months. Paired T test was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a significant difference in T3 before and after the treatment with Tamoxifen (p=0.02), whereas no significant differences were seen in TSH (p=0.095) and FT4 (p=0.13). Discussion: This study showed that treatment with Tamoxifen in women suffering from breast cancer results in an increase in serum T3 but has no effect on serum TSH and FT4, therefore women under treatment with Tamoxifen remain euthyroid.
Learning-based coexistence for LTE operation in unlicensed bands

The use of Long Term Evolution (LTE) in the unlicensed 5 GHz band, referred to as LTE-U, is a promising enhancement to increase the capacity of LTE networks and meet the requirements foreseen for future systems. Nevertheless, coexistence among several LTE-U and/or Wi-Fi systems in the same band is a key technical challenge to be resolved. In this context, this paper focuses on the channel selection functionality for LTE-U enabled cells to decide the most appropriate channel to use for downlink traffic offloading in the unlicensed band. A distributed Q-learning mechanism that exploits prior experience is proposed to support this functionality, thus enabling coexistence with other systems in a smart and efficient way. The behavior of the proposed approach is illustrated in an indoor scenario with small cells from two different operators. A fully decentralized approach, where the channel selection decision-making is performed independently by each small cell in the scenario, is considered to initially assess the potentials of the Q-learning solution. Promising results are obtained revealing that the throughput achieved by the proposed approach can be between 96% and 99% of the optimum ideal achievable throughput.
Cold winter soils enhance dissolved organic carbon concentrations in soil and stream water

Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon ([DOC]) have increased in lakes, streams and rivers across a large part of the northern hemisphere and raised an animated scientific debate about the underlying mechanisms. The lack of consensus about the role of climate in controlling the DOC trends highlights the need for understanding the regulation of surface water DOC. We found that longer and colder winters result in higher [DOC] in a boreal headwater stream during the subsequent snowmelt. In addition, prolonged soil frost increases the spring and summer [DOC] in the riparian soil water, which is a major contributor of stream water DOC in the studied area. We conclude that winter climatic conditions can play a substantial role in controlling stream [DOC] in ways not previously understood. These findings are especially important for northern latitude regions expected to be most affected by climate change.
A controlled comparison of the efficacy of hetastarch and pentastarch in granulocyte collections by centrifugal leukapheresis.

Compared with hetastarch (HS), the low molecular weight analog pentastarch (PS) has been reported to be equally effective for granulocyte collection by centrifugal leukapheresis, to result in fewer adverse donor reactions (ADR), and to have a more rapid elimination profile. We prospectively compared the granulocyte collection efficiency (GCE), granulocyte yield, and ADR in 72 randomly paired granulocytapheresis procedures from 36 volunteer donors using the model CS-3000 Plus Blood Cell Separator (CS) and either PS or HS as the sedimenting agent. Paired collections from each donor allowed us to compare the two agents directly while controlling for intrinsic donor differences. In 33 of 36 (92%) donors, HS procedures were significantly more efficient than PS procedures (P < .001). As an average, HS collections yielded 2.3 +/- 0.67 x 10(10) granulocytes at 58% +/- 8.8% GCE, whereas PS procedures resulted in 1.4 +/- 0.76 x 10(10) granulocytes at 33% +/- 15% GCE. No starch-induced ADR were seen with either agent. For granulocyte harvests using the CS, (1) in most donors, using HS as the red blood cell sedimenting agent during centrifugal leukapheresis results in significantly higher (nearly twofold) GCE and larger granulocyte yields in comparison with using PS, (2) ADR were not observed with either agent, and (3) the potential benefit of more rapid PS elimination should be balanced against significantly lower granulocyte yields.
Cost-Sensitive Classification: Empirical Evaluation of a Hybrid Genetic Decision Tree Induction Algorithm

This paper introduces ICET, a new algorithm for cost-sensitive classification. ICET uses a genetic algorithm to evolve a population of biases for a decision tree induction algorithm. The fitness function of the genetic algorithm is the average cost of classification when using the decision tree, including both the costs of tests (features, measurements) and the costs of classification errors. ICET is compared here with three other algorithms for cost-sensitive classification -- EG2, CS-ID3, and IDX -- and also with C4.5, which classifies without regard to cost. The five algorithms are evaluated empirically on five real-world medical datasets. Three sets of experiments are performed. The first set examines the baseline performance of the five algorithms on the five datasets and establishes that ICET performs significantly better than its competitors. The second set tests the robustness of ICET under a variety of conditions and shows that ICET maintains its advantage. The third set looks at ICET's search in bias space and discovers a way to improve the search.
Cholesterol flux between lipid vesicles and apolipoprotein AI discs of variable size and composition.

Reconstituted discoidal high-density lipoproteins (rHDLs) of apolipoprotein AI are able to induce leakage of the internal aqueous space of lipid vesicles (A. Tricerri et al., 1998, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1391, 67-78) and such interaction depends on the cholesterol content of vesicles and rHDL as well as the rHDL size. With the aim of knowing if this rHDL/vesicle interaction plays some role in the cholesterol exchange, the time course for bidirectional radiolabeled cholesterol transfer between 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) vesicles and different sized rHDLs was measured. The results show that size increase in the rHDL decreases the rate constant for cholesterol transfer from POPC/cholesterol vesicles and that the initial presence of cholesterol in the vesicles results in an increased rate constant for cholesterol transfer from the rHDLs. This cannot be explained by a simple aqueous diffusion mechanism. The existing correlation between rHDL/vesicle interaction and cholesterol transfer rate suggests that besides the aqueous diffusion, another mechanism involving the binding or interaction between donor and acceptor may occur. This fact may be of physiological relevance since the relative high affinity of small cholesterol-poor discs for cell membranes could facilitate the cholesterol efflux, while the decreased membrane affinity as a consequence of cholesterol enrichment and increase in size would decrease the rate of transfer in the opposite direction.
The Fowlpox Virus BCL-2 Homologue, FPV039, Interacts with Activated Bax and a Discrete Subset of BH3-Only Proteins To Inhibit Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Apoptosis is a potent immune barrier against viral infection, and many viruses, including poxviruses, encode proteins to overcome this defense. Interestingly, the avipoxviruses, which include fowlpox and canarypox virus, are the only poxviruses known to encode proteins with obvious Bcl-2 sequence homology. We previously characterized the fowlpox virus protein FPV039 as a Bcl-2-like antiapoptotic protein that inhibits apoptosis by interacting with and inactivating the proapoptotic cellular protein Bak. However, both Bak and Bax can independently trigger cell death. Thus, to effectively inhibit apoptosis, a number of viruses also inhibit Bax. Here we show that FPV039 inhibited apoptosis induced by Bax overexpression and prevented both the conformational activation of Bax and the subsequent formation of Bax oligomers at the mitochondria, two critical steps in the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, FPV039 interacted with activated Bax in the context of Bax overexpression and virus infection. Importantly, the ability of FPV039 to interact with active Bax and inhibit Bax activity was dependent on the structurally conserved BH3 domain of FPV039, even though this domain possesses little sequence homology to other BH3 domains. FPV039 also inhibited apoptosis induced by the BH3-only proteins, upstream activators of Bak and Bax, despite interacting detectably with only two: BimL and Bik. Collectively, our data suggest that FPV039 inhibits apoptosis by sequestering and inactivating multiple proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, including certain BH3-only proteins and both of the critical “gatekeepers” of apoptosis, Bak and Bax.
Small Polities: Tyrannized by Majorities?

Several studies have established that small states are more likely than large states to be democratic. However, the belief that smallness is a virtue when and if a democratic form of government is desired has not gone unchallenged. Already in The Federalist Paper, the view was given that small democracies can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction and are therefore especially vulnerable to the risk of the tyranny of the majority. The core of this argument, then, is that smallness, even if democratic, is likely to be dominated by the few. Investigating while noting that dominance may mean different things in varying institutional settings patterns of dominance since the early 1970s in the microstates of the world, this essay attempts to bring in a verdict in this controversy. The findings are that small polities are indeed not as a rule tyrannized by majorities. Within the small polity universe, there is much variation in terms of dominance, and in this framework of variation, non-dominance clearly outweighs dominance: of 73 time periods during which state performances are observed, 42 are in a category of non-dominance. Much of this variation may be explained by democracy variation. Democratic countries display non-dominance in the great majority of cases; in contrast, non- democracy links predominantly to dominance.
DNA Polymorphism of Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein-3 Gene and Its Association with Cashmere Traits in Cashmere Goats

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene is important for regulation of growth and development in mammals. The present investigation was carried out to study DNA polymorphism by PCR-RFLP of IGFBP-3 gene and its effect on fibre traits of Chinese Inner Mongolian cashmere goats. The fibre traits data investigated were cashmere fibre diameter, combed cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and guard hair length. Four hundred and forty-four animals were used to detect polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene. A 316-bp fragment of the IGFBP-3 gene in exon 2 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.58, 0.33 and 0.09 respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.75 and 0.25 respectively. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C>G transition in the exon 2 region of the IGFBP-3 gene resulting in R158G change which caused the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect of genotypes on cashmere weight (p<0.0001), cashmere fibre length (p<0.001) and hair length (p<0.05) of the animals. The effect of genotypes on cashmere fibre diameter was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The animals of AB and BB genotypes showed higher cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and hair length than the animals possessing AA genotype. These results suggested that polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene might be a potential molecular marker for cashmere weight in cashmere goats.
Connected sum constructions for constant scalar curvature metrics

We give a general procedure for gluing together possibly noncompact manifolds of constant scalar curvature which satisfy an extra nondegeneracy hypothesis. Our aim is to provide a simple paradigm for making "analytic" connected sums. In particular, we can easily construct complete metrics of constant positive scalar curvature on the complement of certain conﬁgurations of an even number of points on the sphere, which is a special case of Schoen's [S1] well-known, difficult construction. Applications of this construction produces metrics with prescribed asymptotics. In particular, we produce metrics with cylindrical ends, the simplest type of asymptotic behaviour. Solutions on the complement of an infinite number of points are also constructed by an iteration of our construction.
The measurement of expressed emotion in relationships between staff and service users: the use of short speech samples.

OBJECTIVES Research on expressed emotion (EE) has demonstrated a remarkable consistency across cultures and over time; the psychosocial climate in relationships is important in determining the course of problems in mental health. The rating of EE might be described as the least accessible aspect of this literature to those who have not undertaken a training course. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to obtain EE ratings for staff-patient relationships via interview and speech sample methods, in order to estimate the validity of the shorter method (the Five-Minute-Speech-Sample, FMSS); second, to examine the generalizability of the FMSS rating method to raters who were not previously trained to rate EE. DESIGN AND METHOD Staff (N = 15) working in a day hospital service for people with enduring mental health problems were interviewed about their work with at least one patient (N = 32), and also asked to provide an FMSS on each relationship. Ratings of FMSS-EE were subsequently compared with the Camberwell Family Interview-EE ratings. Following an hour-long training period, the FMSS-EE ratings of five postgraduate students were then compared with those of a criterion rater. RESULTS Correspondence between the two measures of EE was found to be good, with overall agreement achieved in 89.7% of cases. Raters with very limited training in the concept and rating of EE were accurate in identifying the overall rating of the relationship in question, but less accurate in identifying specific critical comments. CONCLUSION The FMSS technique can be used reliably to identify negative relationships even by raters given very limited training. Clinical and research applications are suggested.
Determinants of coupled transport and uncoupled current by the electrogenic SLC26 transporters

Members of the SLC26 family of anion transporters mediate the transport of diverse molecules and can function as coupled transporters or as channels. A unique feature of two members of the family, Slc26a3 and Slc26a6, is that they can function as both coupled and uncoupled channel‐like modes. To identify features that control these modes of transport we performed in silico modeling of Slc26a6, which revealed high fold similarity of the Slc26a6 and ClC transporters, despite their low sequence identity. Examining the predicted Slc26a6 fold identified a highly conserved Glu‐ (E357) with a predicted spatial orientation similar to that of ClCec E148, which determines coupled or uncoupled transport by ClCec. This raised the question of whether the conserved Glu‐ in Slc26a6(E357) and Slc26a3(E367) play a role in the two transport modes of these transporters. Reversing the Glu‐ charge in a3 and a6 to Lys resulted in the inhibition of all modes of transport. However, neutralizing the charge in Slc26a6(E357A) eliminated all forms of coupled transport and augmented the uncoupled channel‐like current activity. The a3(E367A) mutation markedly reduced the coupled transport and converted the stoichiometry of the residual exchange from 2Cl‐/1HCO3‐ to 1:1, while completely sparing the channel‐like activity. These findings suggest that a similar structural motif may determine multiple functional modes of these transporters.
Delay of flower senescence by bacterial endophytes expressing 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate deaminase

The ability of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) deaminase‐containing plant growth‐promoting bacterial (PGPB) endophytes Pseudomonas fluorescens YsS6 and Pseudomonas migulae 8R6, their ACC deaminase minus mutants and the rhizospheric plant growth‐promoting bacterium Pseudomonas putida UW4 to delay the senescence of mini carnation cut flowers was assessed.
Utility of faecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): what cut-offs should we apply?

Background Faecal calprotectin (FC), a cytosolic protein released by neutrophils (S100 family) in response to inflammation, is a simple, non-invasive test that can be used to differentiate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where there can be considerable symptom overlap. Aims and methods The aims of the study were (1) to be able to predict the ability of FC to exclude IBD and determine cut-offs when in remission, (2) to investigate the effects of time and temperature on stability of FC and (3) compare three ELISA kits to measure FC: Buhlmann, PhiCal v1 and PhiCal v2. A total of 311 patients with altered bowel habit were tested for FC; 144 with IBS, 148 with IBD and 19 with other organic causes. Results Sensitivity and specificity of FC (with PhiCal v2 kit) to distinguish between functional disorder (IBS) and IBD using cut-off 50 μg/g were 88% and 78%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 87%. Area under the receiver operating curve was 0.84 (CI 0.78 to 0.90). For those with IBD, FC values below 250 μg/g corresponded with remission of disease with a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 76%, respectively. Area under the receiver operating curve was 0.93 (CI 0.89 to 0.97). FC was stable once extracted and frozen for up to 2.5 months. Pearson correlation was good between Buhlmann assay and PhiCal v2 (r2 = 0.95). Conclusions FC has up to 87% negative predictive value to exclude IBD, and cut-offs less than 250 μg/g had 90% sensitivity to determine remission in IBD. Once frozen, FC is stable and the ELISA monoclonal plates were broadly comparable.
Hunters’ Behavior and Acceptance of Management Actions Related to Chronic Wasting Disease in Eight States

The impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on hunters’ behavior and beliefs about acceptable management actions are not clearly understood. This article presents findings from an initial phase of a multi-stage, multi-state effort to address these knowledge gaps. Data were obtained from mail surveys (n = 659) of resident and nonresident deer hunters in eight states and elk hunters in three states. Hunters were presented with hypothetical situations of increasing: (1) CWD prevalence (all eight states), and (2) human health risks (two states). Logistic regression equations estimated that at current prevalence levels in some states, 3% (residents) to 5% (nonresidents) of hunters would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. If 50% of the deer or elk across the state were infected, approximately 42% (residents) and 54% (nonresidents) would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. In hypothetical situations where a hunter died from CWD at this prevalence level, the percentage was 68%. Potential for conflict indices (PCI) showed that as prevalence and human health risks increased, acceptability of testing and lethal management increased and acceptability of allowing CWD to take its natural course decreased.