Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Evaluation of Salivary Neopterin Levels and Its Effects to Periodontal Therapy in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women

Objectives Neopterin is a valuable diagnostic biomarker, which is elevated in inflammatory conditions like periodontitis, that is characterized by destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. Among the biomarkers, neopterin occurs in body fluids, and acts as a diagnostic marker for present and future disease activity. Methods Thirty female subjects with chronic periodontitis, mean age 50 years (40-60 years) were included in this study. Depending upon their menstrual history, subjects were categorized into two groups of fifteen each. Group I 15 pre-menopausal women, and Group II 15 post-menopausal women. Saliva was collected, and neopterin levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both the groups, at base line and after three months of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Periodontal parameters like pocket probing depth (PD) and Russell's periodontal disease index (PDI) were assessed before treatment as well as after three months of scaling and root planning. Results Intra group analysis showed significant markdown in the mean values of all the parameters from baseline to three months (P < 0.001), for all patients. The intergroup comparison, from baseline to 3 months also showed no significant change in PD and PDI values, but there was a statistically significant difference in the salivary neopterin levels (P = 0.04). Conclusions Neopterin levels were found to be reduced in three months after NSPT in both the groups, suggesting that the NSPT is the gold standard therapy, and also that neopterin levels in saliva can be used as an indicator to identify periodontal inflammation and destruction.
Protein interaction networks associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer: exploring the effect of bias on shared network properties

The human network of Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) (interactome) provides information on biological systems that can be used to aid prediction of protein function and disease association. As some classes of protein may be the focus of much study, data sets may contain bias, which may affect the results of network analyses. Implicated cancer proteins and proteins including significant known mediators of cardiovascular disease (cvd) display a tendency to play a central role in a previously constructed interactome. However, removing possible bias in the interactome by only considering interactions obtained from non-targeted approaches affects the significance of the findings.
Juvenile Hormone Analogue and Management of Rice Moth, Corcyra cephalonica Staint. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

: A concentration of 25 ppm of pyriproxyfen, when exposed to 1 st instar larvae, caused 100% larval mortality but the same dose level when exposed to 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th instar larvae it resulted comparatively poor larval mortality i.e. 96.00 ± 2.83, 86.40 ± 5.58 and 46.40 ± 3.19%, respectively. In case of 1 st instar larval treatment 20 ppm concentration of pyriproxyfen caused 5.60 ± 0.44% pupation but all of them get perished. At a concentration of 15 ppm of pyriproxyfen 20.00 ± 1.18% adult emergence did occur in case of 1 st instar treated larvae whereas it resulted into gradually enhanced adult emergence i.e. 42.40 ± 2.19, 64.00 ± 1.21 and 73.60 ± 2.19 % in case of 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th instar treated larvae, respectively. It is obvious that exposure of pyriproxyfen for longer duration severely affects the growth and development of the larva in comparison to short tenure exposure of JHA. In addition, longer duration exposure of pyriproxyfen resulted in abnormal metamorphosis that produced larval-pupal and pupal-adult intermediates.
The systemic yoyo model: an introduction

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce the necessary background information and literature in order to make this special issue self‐contained. , – The paper comprises: an Introduction; Section 2 outlines the origin of the yoyo structure by presenting a brief historical account and the concept of whole evolution of systems; Section 3 introduces the literature on applications of the systemic yoyo model in areas of natural science, social science, epistemology, and practical disastrous weather forecasts; and Section 4 outlines what is contained in this special issue. , – A personal account of aspects of a career in systems research and description of a personal ambition to introduce laws for social science and laws that make both natural and social sciences exact at the same time. , – With regard to the systemic yoyo model, this paper presents an introduction to what has been accomplished by using this model and what will be presented in this special issue in order to provide all interested colleagues with an overall picture in terms of where the paper stands in the relevant research activities.
Benthic metabolism and sulfur cycling along an inundation gradient in a tidal Spartina anglica salt marsh

Central aspects of carbon and sulfur biogeochemistry were studied along a transect extending from an unvegetated mudflat into a Spartina anglica salt marsh. Conditions along the transect differed with respect to tidal elevation, sediment characteristics, vegetation coverage, and benthic macrofauna abundance. Dark sediment O2 uptake and CO2 emission at the highly bioturbated mudflat were low and relatively unaffected by tidal coverage. Sulfate reduction accounted for 30–60% of the daily CO2 emission from the open mudflat sediment. Sediment O2 uptake within the nonbioturbated and vegetated marsh was up to seven times higher during air exposure than during inundation, whereas the difference in CO2 emissions always was less than a factor of 2. The contribution of sulfate reduction to CO2 production was low (<21%) and decreased progressively with tidal elevation as a result of the oxidizing capacity of S. anglica roots in the vegetated marsh. The boundary between the mudflat and the retreating marsh is a unique environment. High near‐surface pore‐water concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) above the marsh cliff and highly elevated total carbon dioxide (TCO2) pore‐water concentrations at both sides of the cliff during air exposure coincided with extremely high TCO2 emissions and apparent respiratory quotients (up to 14) only below the marsh cliff during inundation. We propose that substantial seepage of DOC‐poor and HCO2−‐rich pore water may have occurred from the elevated marsh to the unvegetated sediment below during low tide followed by massive release of HCO3− during high tide. Accordingly, sulfate reduction accounted for more than the TCO2 release above the marsh cliff, but only for about 40% below the cliff. Mineralization rates and pathways in salt–marsh sediments vary considerably on small spatial and temporal scales and are dependent on inundation frequency as well as the composition and distribution of flora and fauna.
As real as real? Macroeconomic behavior in a large-scale virtual world

This article proposes an empirical test of whether aggregate economic behavior maps from the real to the virtual. Transaction data from a large commercial virtual world — the first such data set provided to outside researchers — is used to calculate metrics for production, consumption and money supply based on real-world definitions. Movements in these metrics over time were examined for consistency with common theories of macroeconomic change. The results indicated that virtual economic behavior follows real-world patterns. Moreover, a natural experiment occurred, in that a new version of the virtual world with the same rules came online during the study. The new world's macroeconomic aggregates quickly grew to be nearly exact replicas of those of the existing worlds, suggesting that `Code is Law': macroeconomic outcomes in a virtual world may be explained largely by design structure.
Prognostic significance of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a causative factor in 20% to 25% of all head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Ongoing research suggests that the presence of HPV DNA in HNSCC predicts a positive prognosis with respect to disease‐free and overall survival. However, most studies have been limited by the heterogeneity in treatment regimens and/or anatomic subsites of tumor origin. In this study, we correlate clinical outcomes with HPV status for patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas who were uniformly treated with a concurrent chemoradiation treatment protocol.
PPARα-Independent Arterial Smooth Muscle Relaxant Effects of PPARα Agonists

We sought to determine direct vascular effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists using isolated mouse aortas and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). The PPARα agonists GW7647, WY14643, and gemfibrozil acutely relaxed aortas held under isometric tension and dilated pressurized MCAs with the following order of potency: GW7647≫WY14643>gemfibrozil. Responses were endothelium-independent, and the use of PPARα deficient mice demonstrated that responses were also PPARα-independent. Pretreating arteries with high extracellular K+ attenuated PPARα agonist-mediated relaxations in the aorta, but not in the MCA. In the aorta, the ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker glibenclamide also impaired relaxations whereas the other K+ channel inhibitors, 4-aminopyridine and Iberiotoxin, had no effect. In aortas, GW7647 and WY14643 elevated cGMP levels by stimulating soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), and inhibition of sGC with ODQ blunted relaxations to PPARα agonists. In the MCA, dilations were inhibited by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, and also by ODQ. Our results demonstrated acute, nonreceptor-mediated relaxant effects of PPARα agonists on smooth muscle of mouse arteries. Responses to PPARα agonists in the aorta involved KATP channels and sGC, whereas in the MCA the PKC and sGC pathways also appeared to contribute to the response.
Pulling their Weight: Exploiting Syntactic Forms for the Automatic Identification of Idiomatic Expressions in Context

Much work on idioms has focused on type identification, i.e., determining whether a sequence of words can form an idiomatic expression. Since an idiom type often has a literal interpretation as well, token classification of potential idioms in context is critical for NLP. We explore the use of informative prior knowledge about the overall syntactic behaviour of a potentially-idiomatic expression (type-based knowledge) to determine whether an instance of the expression is used idiomatically or literally (token-based knowledge). We develop unsupervised methods for the task, and show that their performance is comparable to that of state-of-the-art supervised techniques.
Microstructure Observations of Turbulent Heat Fluxes in a Warm-Core Canada Basin Eddy

An intrahalocline eddy was observed on the Chukchi slope in September of 2015 using both towed CTD and microstructure temperature and shear sections. The core of the eddy was 6°C, significantly warmer than the surrounding −1°C water and far exceeding typical temperatures of warm-core Arctic eddies. Microstructure sections indicated that outside of the eddy the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy ε was quite low . However, at the edges of the eddy core, ε was elevated to . Three different processes were associated with elevated ε. Double-diffusive steps were found at the eddy’s top edge and were associated with an upward heat flux of 5 W m−2. At the bottom edge of the eddy, shear-driven mixing played a modest role, generating a heat flux of approximately 0.5 W m−2 downward. Along the sides of the eddy, density-compensated thermohaline intrusions transported heat laterally out of the eddy, with a horizontal heat flux of 2000 W m−2. Integrating these fluxes over an idealized approximation of the eddy’s shape, we estimate that the net heat transport due to thermohaline intrusions along the eddy flanks was 2 GW, while the double-diffusive flux above the eddy was 0.4 GW. Shear-driven mixing at the bottom of the eddy accounted for only 0.04 GW. If these processes continued indefinitely at the same rate, the estimated life-span would be 1–2 years. Such eddies may be an important mechanism for the transport of Pacific-origin heat, freshwater, and nutrients into the Canada Basin.
Abstraction-based solution of optimal stopping problems under uncertainty

In this paper we present novel results on the solution of optimal control problems with the help of finite-state approximations (“symbolic models”) of infinite-state plants. We investigate optimal stopping problems in the minimax sense, with undiscounted running and terminal costs, for nonlinear discrete-time plants subject to perturbations and constraints. This problem class includes finite-horizon and exit-(entry-)time problems as well as pursuit-evasion and reach-avoid games as special cases. We utilize symbolic models of the plant to upper bound the value function, i.e., the achievable closed-loop performance, and to compute controllers realizing the bounds. The symbolic models are obtained from suitable discretizations of the state and input spaces, and we prove that the computed bounds converge to the value function as the discretization errors approach zero. The value function is in general discontinuous, and the convergence (in the hypographical sense) is uniform on every compact subset of the state space. We apply the proposed method to design an approximately optimal feedback controller that starts up a DC-DC converter and is robust against supply voltage as well as load fluctuations.
Physical activity and depression: a large cross‐sectional, population‐based study across 36 low‐ and middle‐income countries

Physical activity (PA) is good for health, yet several small‐scale studies have suggested that depression is associated with low PA. A paucity of nationally representative studies investigating this relationship exists, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study explored the global association of PA with depression and its mediating factors.
Abnormality of spontaneous brain activities in patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain: A resting-state fMRI study

Objectives Chronic gneck and shoulder pain (CNSP) is a common clinical symptom of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Several studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have reported that most chronic pain diseases are accompanied by structural and functional changes in the brain. However, few rs-fMRI studies have examined CNSP. The current study investigated cerebral structural and functional changes in CNSP patients. Methods In total, 25 CNSP patients and 20 healthy volunteers participated in the study. 3D-T1W and rs-fMRI images were acquired. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was applied to structural images, and regional homogeneity (ReHo) was extracted from rs-fMRI. Statistical analysis was performed on post-processing images and ReHo parameter maps. Results The results revealed no significant differences in brain structure between the two groups. In the patient group, ReHo values were significantly increased in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus and decreased in the left insula, superior frontal gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, supplementary motor area, right postcentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Conclusions This initial structural and rs-fMRI study of CNSP revealed characteristic features of spontaneous brain activity of CNSP patients. These findings may be helpful for increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of CNSP.
Use of a Hierarchical Oligonucleotide Primer Extension Approach for Multiplexed Relative Abundance Analysis of Methanogens in Anaerobic Digestion Systems

ABSTRACT In this study, we established a rapid multiplex method to detect the relative abundances of amplified 16S rRNA genes from known cultivatable methanogens at hierarchical specificities in anaerobic digestion systems treating industrial wastewater and sewage sludge. The method was based on the hierarchical oligonucleotide primer extension (HOPE) technique and combined with a set of 27 primers designed to target the total archaeal populations and methanogens from 22 genera within 4 taxonomic orders. After optimization for their specificities and detection sensitivity under the conditions of multiple single-nucleotide primer extension reactions, the HOPE approach was applied to analyze the methanogens in 19 consortium samples from 7 anaerobic treatment systems (i.e., 513 reactions). Among the samples, the methanogen populations detected with order-level primers accounted for >77.2% of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes detected using an Archaea-specific primer. The archaeal communities typically consisted of 2 to 7 known methanogen genera within the Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanosarcinales and displayed population dynamic and spatial distributions in anaerobic reactor operations. Principal component analysis of the HOPE data further showed that the methanogen communities could be clustered into 3 distinctive groups, in accordance with the distribution of the Methanosaeta, Methanolinea, and Methanomethylovorans, respectively. This finding suggested that in addition to acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens, the methylotrophic methanogens might play a key role in the anaerobic treatment of industrial wastewater. Overall, the results demonstrated that the HOPE approach is a specific, rapid, and multiplexing platform to determine the relative abundances of targeted methanogens in PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene products.
A population of high-redshift type-2 quasars-I. Selection Criteria and Optical Spectra

We discuss the relative merits of mid-infrared and X-ray selection of type 2 quasars. We describe the mid-infrared, near-infrared and radio selection criteria used to find a population of redshift z∼ 2 type 2 quasars which we previously argued suggests that most supermassive black hole growth in the Universe is obscured. We present the optical spectra obtained from the William Herschel Telescope, and we compare the narrow emission-line luminosity, radio luminosity and maximum size of jets to those of objects from radio-selected samples. This analysis suggests that these are genuine radio-quiet type 2 quasars, albeit the radio-bright end of this population. We also discuss the possibility of two different types of quasar obscuration, which could explain how the ∼2–3:1 ratio of type 2 to type 1 quasars preferred by modelling our population can be reconciled with the ∼1:1 ratio predicted by unified schemes.
On brain-inspired hierarchical network topologies

In this paper our aim is to identify layered hierarchical generic network topologies which could closely mimic brain's connectivity. Recent analyses have compared the brain's connectivity (based both on a cortical-equivalent Rent's rule and on neurological data) with well-known network topologies used in supercomputers and massively parallel computers (using two different interpretations of Rent's rule). These have revealed that all the well-known computer network topologies fall short of being strong contenders for mimicking the brain's connectivity. That is why in this paper we perform a high-level analysis of two-layer hierarchical generic networks. The range of granularities (i.e., number of gates/cores/neurons) as well as the fan-ins and the particular combinations of the two generic networks which would make such a mimicking achievable are identified and discussed.
Effect of carbohydrate intake during recovery from eccentric exercise on interleukin-6 and muscle-damage markers.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether carbohydrate supplementation during the first 2 d postexercise recovery influenced the inflammation (IL-6, C-reactive protein [CRP], and cortisol) and muscle-damage responses. Eight participants performed a high-force eccentric elbow-flexion exercise to induce muscle soreness and inflammation and then consumed carbohydrate (0.25 g.kg(-1). h(-1)) or an equal volume of placebo during hours 0-12 and 24-36 postexercise in a double-blind, crossover protocol. Muscle soreness; midbrachial arm circumference; blood glucose, IL-6, CRP, cortisol, and creatine-kinase (CK) activity; and maximal force production were measured preexercise and 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 120 h postexercise. Plasma IL-6 increased, F(5) = 5.27, P < 0.05, 8 h postexercise, with no difference between carbohydrate and placebo conditions. Changes in muscle soreness, arm circumference, strength, and serum CK activity were consistent with small amounts of muscle damage and did not differ between conditions. The authors conclude that carbohydrate supplementation during recovery from soreness-inducing exercise does not influence the delayed IL-6 response temporally linked to inflammation or indications of muscle damage. Thus, increased carbohydrate consumption at levels consistent with recommendations for replenishing glycogen stores does not impair or promote the immune and muscle responses.
X-Ray Scattering by Nonspherical Grains. I. Oblate Spheroids

We calculate the scattering of X-rays by interstellar dust for a dust model that reproduces the observed wavelength-dependent extinction and polarization of starlight. On interstellar sight lines that produce appreciable starlight polarization, we predict that the dust-scattered X-ray halo around point sources will have measurable azimuthal asymmetry due to scattering by partially aligned nonspherical grains. We calculate the expected halo asymmetry. X-ray halo asymmetry provides a new test of interstellar dust models.
Doubling the blockade for melanoma immunotherapy

Lorenzo Galluzzi, Alexander Eggermont, and Guido Kroemer Equipe 11 labellis ee Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; INSERM, U1138, Paris, France; Universit e Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cit e, Paris, France; Universit e Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, Paris, France; Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Europ een Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Preservation of the DCD Kidney: Machine Effects

Purpose. Kidneys from DCD donors represent a significant pool, but preservation problems exist. The study objective was to test the importance of machine type for hypothermic preservation of DCD kidneys. Methods. Adult Beagle dog kidneys underwent 45 minutes of warm in situ ischemia followed by hypothermic perfusion for 24 hours (Belzer-MPS Solution) on either an ORS LifePort or a Waters RM3 using standard perfusion protocols. Kidneys were then autotransplanted, and renal function was assessed over 7 days following contralateral nephrectomy. Results. Renal vascular resistance was not different between the two pumps. After 24 hours, the oxygen partial pressure and oxygen delivery in the LifePort perfusate were significantly lower than those in the RM3 but not low enough to change lactate production. TheLifePort ran significantly colder than RM3 (2° versus 5°C). The arterial pressure waveform of the RM3 was qualitatively different from the waveform of the LifePort. Preservation injury after transplantation was not different between the devices. When the LifePort was changed to nonpulsatile flow, kidneys displayed significantly greater preservation injury compared to RM3. Conclusions. Both LifePort and RM3 can be used for hypothermic machine perfusion preservation of DCD kidneys with equal outcomes as long as the duty cycle remains pulsatile.