Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Restricted Boltzmann Machines and Deep Belief Networks on multi-core processors

Deep learning architecture models by contrast with shallow models draw on the insights of biological inspiration which has been a challenge since the inception of the idea of simulating the brain. In particular their (many) hierarchical levels of composition track the development of parallel implementation in an attempt to become accessibly fast. When it comes to performance enhancement Graphics Processing Units (GPU) have carved their own strength in machine learning. In this paper, we present an approach that relies mainly on three kernels for implementing both the Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) and Deep Belief Networks (DBN) algorithms. Instead of considering the neuron as the smallest unit of computation each thread represents the connection between two (one visible and one hidden) neurons. Although conceptually it may seem weird, the rationale behind is to think of a connection as performing a simple function that multiplies the clamped input by its weight. Thus, we maximize the GPU workload avoiding idle cores. Moreover, we placed great emphasis on the kernels to avoid uncoalesced memory accesses as well as to take advantage of the shared memory to reduce global memory accesses. Additionally, our approach uses a step adaptive learning rate procedure which accelerates convergence. The approach yields very good speedups (up to 46×) as compared with a straightforward implementation when both GPU and CPU implementations are tested on the MINST database.
Cloning of the first sn1-DAG lipases points to the spatial and temporal regulation of endocannabinoid signaling in the brain

Diacylglycerol (DAG) lipase activity is required for axonal growth during development and for retrograde synaptic signaling at mature synapses. This enzyme synthesizes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), and the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is also required for the above responses. We now report on the cloning and enzymatic characterization of the first specific sn-1 DAG lipases. Two closely related genes have been identified and their expression in cells correlated with 2-AG biosynthesis and release. The expression of both enzymes changes from axonal tracts in the embryo to dendritic fields in the adult, and this correlates with the developmental change in requirement for 2-AG synthesis from the pre- to the postsynaptic compartment. This switch provides a possible explanation for a fundamental change in endocannabinoid function during brain development. Identification of these enzymes may offer new therapeutic opportunities for a wide range of disorders.
Investigating Length of Stay Patterns and Its Predictors in the South Wales Trauma Network

Background: Length of stay (LOS) is frequently employed as a performance metric for trauma care. Following the establishment of the trauma network worldwide, the assessment and prediction of LOS in different levels of trauma centres have been extensively studied. However, assessing the total patient length of stay from a whole trauma network perspective is unclear. The objective of this study was to systematically analyse the overall Length of Stay (LOS) pattern within the SWTN before its establishment and in the immediate time after its foundation and, secondly, to assess the association between relevant impact factors and LOS. Methodology: A retrospective secondary analysis based on the trauma admission dataset from Trauma Audit and Research Network(TARN) dataset was conducted. The studied sample covered around 18000 patients admitted to trauma centres from South Wales Major trauma network between January 2012 and October 2021. The primary outcome is the total length of stay in the trauma network. Statistical tests were applied to examine the difference between normal and outlier LOS. Data visualisation was utilised to demonstrate the LOS patterns and potential association between LOS and relevant demographic and clinical predictors. Results: The distribution of length of stay in SWTN follows a right-skewed distribution with a median of 10 (IQR, 5–18) and a mean of 15.92 days. There were 1520 patients with outliers for LOS. A significant difference (p¡ 0.05) was found between the normal and outlier groups of LOS based on demographic (age, gender and residential information) and clinical characteristics(ward type, maximum of anatomically-based injury severity score(AIS) and probability of survival). Age group, maximum AIS score on specific injured region, ward type and its interaction effect with the number of admissions may associated with the LOS. Specifically, patients admitted to the geriatric ward exhibited notably prolonged LOS, and individuals with more than 2 admissions to long-term care and recovery-related wards such as neurosurgical rehabilitation, spinal injuries and burns wards also displayed elevated LOS. Conclusion: Our finding supports prior evidence indicating elderly people are vulnerable to longer stays. Moreover, concerning the types of admission wards, patients admitted to rehabilitation wards who underwent more than 2 hospitalisations also faced an increased risk of prolonged stay. Based on these results, policymakers and healthcare providers should contemplate expanding the allocation of medical resources to this demographic to mitigate the length of stay and optimise associated healthcare costs.
Concurrent online tracking of mobile users

This paper deals with the problem of maintaining distributed directory server, that enables us to keep track of mobile users in a distributed network in the presence of concurrent requests. The paper uses the graph-theoretic concept of regional matching for implementing efficient tracking mechanisms. The communication overhead of our tracking mechanism is within a polylogarithmic factor of the lower bound.
Evaluating Annual Maximum and Partial Duration Series for Estimating Frequency of Small Magnitude Floods

Understanding the nature of frequent floods is important for characterising channel morphology, riparian and aquatic habitat, and informing river restoration efforts. This paper presents results from an analysis on frequency estimates of low magnitude floods using the annual maximum and partial series data compared to actual flood series. Five frequency distribution models were fitted to data from 24 gauging stations in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon catchments in north-eastern Australia. Based on the goodness of fit test, Generalised Extreme Value, Generalised Pareto and Log Pearson Type 3 models were used to estimate flood frequencies across the study region. Results suggest frequency estimates based on a partial series are better, compared to an annual series, for small to medium floods, while both methods produce similar results for large floods. Although both methods converge at a higher recurrence interval, the convergence recurrence interval varies between catchments. Results also suggest frequency estimates vary slightly between two or more partial series, depending on flood threshold, and the differences are large for the catchments that experience less frequent floods. While a partial series produces better frequency estimates, it can underestimate or overestimate the frequency if the flood threshold differs largely compared to bankfull discharge. These results have significant implications in calculating the dependency of floodplain ecosystems on the frequency of flooding and their subsequent management.
Combination of Flow-Mediated Vasodilation and Nitroglycerine-Induced Vasodilation Is More Effective for Prediction of Cardiovascular Events

Measurement of nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation has been performed to differentiate endothelium-dependent vasodilation from endothelium-independent vasodilation as a control test for flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Recently, nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation per se has been reported to be a useful marker of the grade of atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of FMD combined with nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation for future cardiovascular events. We measured FMD and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in 402 subjects, including patients with cardiovascular diseases. During a median follow-up period of 32.3 months, 38 first major cardiovascular events (death from cardiovascular causes, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization) occurred. Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis revealed that FMD alone and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation alone can predict cardiovascular events with areas under the curve of 0.671 (cutoff 3.3%) and 0.692 (cutoff 11.6%), respectively. FMD combined with nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation predicts cardiovascular events with an area under the curve of 0.701. After adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors, above cutoff FMD (≥3.3%) and below cutoff nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (<11.6%; hazard ratio, 5.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.61–25.46; P=0.006) and below cutoff FMD (<3.3%) and below cutoff nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (<11.6%; hazard ratio, 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 2.37–31.36; P<0.001) remained strong independent indicator of cardiovascular events. These findings suggest that the combination of FMD and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation measurements can more accurately predict cardiovascular events compared with FMD alone. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: UMIN000001167.
Human brains preserve in diverse environments for at least 12 000 years

The brain is thought to be among the first human organs to decompose after death. The discovery of brains preserved in the archaeological record is therefore regarded as unusual. Although mechanisms such as dehydration, freezing, saponification, and tanning are known to allow for the preservation of the brain on short time scales in association with other soft tissues (≲4000 years), discoveries of older brains, especially in the absence of other soft tissues, are rare. Here, we collated an archive of more than 4400 human brains preserved in the archaeological record across approximately 12 000 years, more than 1300 of which constitute the only soft tissue preserved amongst otherwise skeletonized remains. We found that brains of this type persist on time scales exceeding those preserved by other means, which suggests an unknown mechanism may be responsible for preservation particular to the central nervous system. The untapped archive of preserved ancient brains represents an opportunity for bioarchaeological studies of human evolution, health and disease.
The impact of aerobics on mental health and stress levels: A visualization analysis of the CiteSpace map

This study aims to integrate research in the field of aerobics and mental health through the visualization analysis method of the CiteSpace map, to clarify the impact of aerobics on mental health and stress levels. Firstly, based on the literature method, pieces of literature related to aerobics and mental health are searched and collected. Secondly, the visualization analysis method of the CiteSpace map is employed to summarize and analyze the contents of the literature, involving statistical analysis of the annual number of publications, analysis of author characteristics, and analysis of publishing institution characteristics. In addition, keyword co-occurrence analysis and keyword cluster analysis are also conducted in related research fields. Among them, the Log-Likelihood Ratio is used in keyword cluster analysis. Finally, the results are analyzed using the visualization analysis method of the CiteSpace map and the statistics-based comprehensive results. The results demonstrate that in the recent 20 years, the average annual number of articles in related fields exceeds 190. The high-yield authors are distributed in economically developed areas, and the cooperation among authors is scattered. In the keyword clustering results, a total of 77 cluster labels are obtained. The Q value of the clustering module is 0.89, and the average clustering profile silhouette (S) value is 0.92, indicating that the clustering structure is significant and the results are reasonable. The aerobics cluster contains the most closely related keywords, covering mental health and stress levels. Data analysis based on existing studies reveals that aerobics has a significant impact on mental health and stress levels. Individuals participating in aerobics show obvious improvement in mental health inventory (MHI) scores (t(100) = 4.32, p<0.05). Individuals participating in aerobics present a remarkable reduction in the questionnaire evaluation of stress levels (t(100) = -3.91, p<0.05). This study’s results support aerobics’ positive effects on mental health and stress levels.
Formulation and Optimization of Polymeric Nanoparticles for Intranasal Delivery of Lorazepam Using Box-Behnken Design: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

The aim of the present study was to optimize lorazepam loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Lzp-PLGA-NPs) by investigating the effect of process variables on the response using Box-Behnken design. Effect of four independent factors, that is, polymer, surfactant, drug, and aqueous/organic ratio, was studied on two dependent responses, that is, z-average and % drug entrapment. Lzp-PLGA-NPs were successfully developed by nanoprecipitation method using PLGA as polymer, poloxamer as surfactant and acetone as organic phase. NPs were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, % drug entrapment, drug release behavior, TEM, and cell viability. Lzp-PLGA-NPs were characterized for drug polymer interaction using FTIR. The developed NPs showed nearly spherical shape with z-average 167–318 d·nm, PDI below 0.441, and −18.4 mV zeta potential with maximum % drug entrapment of 90.1%. In vitro drug release behavior followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model and showed initial burst release of 21.7 ± 1.3% with prolonged drug release of 69.5 ± 0.8% from optimized NPs up to 24 h. In vitro drug release data was found in agreement with ex vivo permeation data through sheep nasal mucosa. In vitro cell viability study on Vero cell line confirmed the safety of optimized NPs. Optimized Lzp-PLGA-NPs were radiolabelled with Technitium-99m for scintigraphy imaging and biodistribution studies in Sprague-Dawley rats to establish nose-to-brain pathway.
Interactions of Short-Term and Chronic Treadmill Training With Aging of the Left Ventricle of the Heart

With aging, there is a decline in cardiac function accompanying increasing risk of arrhythmias. These effects are likely to be mechanistically associated with age-associated changes in calcium regulation within cardiac myocytes. Previous studies suggest that lifelong exercise can potentially reduce age-associated changes in the heart. Although exercise itself is associated with changes in cardiac function, little is known about the interactions of aging and exercise with respect to myocyte calcium regulation. To investigate this, adult (12 months) and old (24 months) C57/Bl6 mice were trained using moderate-intensity treadmill running. In response to 10 weeks’ training, comparable cardiac hypertrophic responses were observed, although aging independently associated with additional cardiac hypertrophy. Old animals also showed increased L- and T-type calcium channels, the sodium–calcium exchange, sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, and collagen (by 50%, 92%, 66%, 88%, and 113% respectively). Short-term exercise training increased D-type and T-type calcium channels in old animals only, whereas an increase in sodium–calcium exchange was seen only in adult animals. Long-term (12 months) training generally opposed the effects of aging. Significant hypertrophy remained in long-term trained old animals, but levels of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, sodium–calcium exchange, and collagen were not significantly different from those found in the adult trained animals.
PUBLISHED VERSION

Background: Sustainable lifestyle modification strategies are needed to address obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Intensive, individualised programs have been successful, but are limited by time and resources. We have formulated a group-based lifestyle education program based upon national diet and physical activity (PA) recommendations to manage obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors. This article describes the content and delivery of this program, with information on compliance and acceptability. Methods: Overweight/obese adults (n = 153) with metabolic syndrome were recruited from the community and randomly allocated to intervention (INT) or control (CON). Written copies of Australian national dietary and PA guidelines were provided to all participants. INT took part in a 16-week lifestyle program which provided a curriculum and practical strategies on 1) dietary and PA information based on national guidelines, 2) behavioural self-management tools, 3) food-label reading, supermarkets tour and cooking, 4) exercise sessions, and 5) peer-group support. Compliance was assessed using attendance records and weekly food/PA logs. Participants' motivations, perceived benefits and goals were assessed through facilitated discussion. Program acceptability feedback was collected through structured focus groups. Results: Although completion of weekly food/PA records was poor, attendance at information/ education sessions (77% overall) and exercise participation (66% overall) was high, and compared with CON, multiple markers of body composition and cardio-metabolic health improved in INT. Participants reported that the most useful program components included food-label reading, cooking sessions, and learning new and different physical exercises, including home-based options. Participants also reported finding self-management techniques helpful, namely problem solving and short-term goal setting. The use of a group setting and supportive 'peer' leaders were found to be supportive. More frequent clinical assessment was suggested for future programs. Published: 27 October 2008 International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2008, 5:53 doi:10.1186/1479-5868-5-53 Received: 29 May 2008 Accepted: 27 October 2008 This article is available from: http://www.ijbnpa. org/content/5/1/53 © 2008 Pettman et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Avian infectious bronchitis virus in Africa: a review

ABSTRACT Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is worldwide in distribution, highly infectious, and extremely difficult to control because it has extensive genetic diversity, a short generation time, and a high mutation rate. IBV is a Gammacoronavirus, single-stranded, and positive-sense RNA virus. Avian infectious bronchitis is well studied in European countries with identification of a large number of IBV variants, whereas in African countries epidemiological and scientific data are poor and not updated. However, previous studies reported that an IBV variant continues to appear regularly in Africa, as currently described in Morocco. No cross-protection between IBV strains was reported, some being unique to a particular country, others having a more general distribution. This review aims to provide a general overview on IB disease distribution in African countries and an update on the available studies of IBV variants in each country.
Implications of Conceptual Channel Representation on SWAT Streamflow and Sediment Modeling

Hydrologic modeling outputs are influenced by how a watershed system is represented. Channel routing is a typical example of the mathematical conceptualization of watershed landscape and processes in hydrologic modeling. We investigated the sensitivity of accuracy, equifinality, and uncertainty of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) modeling to channel dimensions to demonstrate how a conceptual representation of a watershed system affects streamflow and sediment modeling. Results showed the amount of uncertainty and equifinality strongly responded to channel dimensions. On the other hand, the model performance did not significantly vary with the changes in the channel representation due to the degree of freedom allowed by the conceptual nature of hydrologic modeling in the parameter calibration. Such findings demonstrated good modeling performance statistics do not necessarily mean small output uncertainty, and partial improvements in the watershed representation may neither increase modeling accuracy nor reduce uncertainty. We also showed the equifinality and uncertainty of hydrologic modeling are case‐dependent rather than specific to models or regions, suggesting great caution should be used when attempting to transfer uncertainty analysis results to other modeling studies, especially for ungauged watersheds. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on SWAT Applications for Emerging Hydrologic and Water Quality Challenges. See the February 2017 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Therapy’s Shadow: A Short History of the Study of Resistance to Cancer Chemotherapy

This article traces the history of research on resistance to drug therapy in oncology using scientometric techniques and qualitative analysis. Using co-citation analysis, we generate maps to visualize subdomains in resistance research in two time periods, 1975–1990 and 1995–2010. These maps reveal two historical trends in resistance research: first, a shift in focus from generic mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy to a focus on resistance to targeted therapies and molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis; and second, a movement away from an almost exclusive reliance on animal and cell models and toward the generation of knowledge about resistance through clinical trial work. A close reading of highly cited articles within each subdomain cluster reveals specific points of transition from one regime to the other, in particular the failure of several promising theories of resistance to be translated into clinical insights and the emergence of interest in resistance to a new generation of targeted agents such as imatinib and trastuzumab. We argue that the study of resistance in the oncology field has thus become more integrated with research into cancer therapy – rather than constituting it as a separate domain of study, as it has done in the past, contemporary research treats resistance as the flip side to treatment, as therapy’s shadow.
Homologous and heterologous expression and maturation processing of extracellular glutamyl endopeptidase of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract The extracellular serine endopeptidase GluSE (EC 3.4.21.19) is considered to be one of the virulence factors of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The present study investigated maturation processing of native GluSE and that heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. In addition to the 28-kDa mature protease, small amounts of proenzymes with molecular masses of 32, 30, and 29 kDa were identified in the extracellular and cell wall-associated fractions. We defined the pre (M1-A27)- and pro (K28-S66)-segments, and found that processing at the E32-S33 and D48-I49 bonds was responsible for production of the 30- and 29-kDa intermediates, respectively. The full-length form of C-terminally His-tagged GluSE was purified as three proenzymes equivalent to the native ones. These molecules possessing an entire or a part of the pro-segment were proteolytically latent and converted to a mature 28-kDa form by thermolysin cleavage at the S66-V67 bond. Mutation of the essential amino acid S235 suggested auto-proteolytic production of the 30- and 29-kDa intermediates. Furthermore, an undecapeptide (I56-S66) of the truncated pro-segment not only functions as an inhibitor of the protease but also facilitates thermolysin processing. These findings could offer clues to the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of proteolytic activity of pathogenic proteases secreted from S. epidermidis.