Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Elevated Temperature and Pco2 Reduces Respiration Rate and Energy Status in the Periwinkle Littorina littorea

In the future, marine organisms will face the challenge of coping with multiple environmental changes associated with increased levels of atmospheric Pco2, such as ocean warming and acidification. To predict how organisms may or may not meet these challenges, an in-depth understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underpinning organismal responses to climate change is needed. Here, we investigate the effects of elevated Pco2 and temperature on the whole-organism and cellular physiology of the periwinkle Littorina littorea. Metabolic rates (measured as respiration rates), adenylate energy nucleotide concentrations and indexes, and end-product metabolite concentrations were measured. Compared with values for control conditions, snails decreased their respiration rate by 31% in response to elevated Pco2 and by 15% in response to a combination of increased Pco2 and temperature. Decreased respiration rates were associated with metabolic reduction and an increase in end-product metabolites in acidified treatments, indicating an increased reliance on anaerobic metabolism. There was also an interactive effect of elevated Pco2 and temperature on total adenylate nucleotides, which was apparently compensated for by the maintenance of adenylate energy charge via AMP deaminase activity. Our findings suggest that marine intertidal organisms are likely to exhibit complex physiological responses to future environmental drivers, with likely negative effects on growth, population dynamics, and, ultimately, ecosystem processes.
Stent graft repair in the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta: a 4-year experience.

BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and type B aortic dissections (ADs) are relatively frequent, serious conditions that are often managed nonoperatively because of perceived poor outcome of standard surgical reconstruction. Recently developed stent graft techniques represent a more attractive, less invasive option. We sought to determine the technical feasibility and safety of endovascular repair in the thoracic aorta with a retrospective review of our experience with such an approach. METHODS Forty-seven patients received thoracic stent graft implants during the 4-year period ending March 31, 2002. All patients signed an Institutional Review Board-approved informed consent. Thirty-one patients had TAAs, and 16 had ADs. Device design and implant strategy were on the basis of evaluation of morphology with angiography and computed tomographic scan. The procedures were done with fluoroscopic guidance, with local anesthesia in five cases, spinal anesthesia in 19 cases, and general anesthesia in 23 cases. Endovascular access was achieved with femoral cutdown in 41 cases and a temporary iliac conduit in six cases. A Talent patient-specific device, with 4-mm to 6-mm oversize, was used in all. Proximal endograft attachment was in the descending thoracic aorta in 16 cases, parasubclavian in 21 cases, and the suprasubclavian aorta in 10 cases. Eight patients had adjunctive cervical reconstruction to transpose or revascularize the left subclavian or left common carotid arteries, enabling more proximal endograft attachment in the aortic arch. RESULTS Access failure occurred in one patient (2.1%). One patient (2.1%) died within 30 days of access-related iliac artery rupture. Another death occurred at 60 days from a ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysm with type I endoleak. No instances of paraplegia, stroke, or surgical conversion were seen. Five patients (TAA) were found to have endoleak on 30-day computed tomographic scan. Repair of type I endoleak was undertaken in three cases at 1, 4, and 6 months. Eight patients (17%) had adverse events within the first 30 days. Length of follow-up ranged from 1 to 44 months, with a mean of 18 months. Two patients were lost to follow-up, and one withdrew from the study. Four additional mortalities were observed, none related to the endograft or aortic pathology. CONCLUSION Stent graft repair of TAA and AD is feasible and can be achieved with technical success and relatively low rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality. The Talent customized design proved versatile in various morphologies. More information is needed on indications, clinical efficacy, and long-term results.
A discriminative splitting criterion for phonetic decision trees

Phonetic decision trees are a key concept in acoustic modeling for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition. Although discriminative training has become a major line of research in speech recognition and all state-of-the-art acoustic models are trained discriminatively, the conventional phonetic decision tree approach still relies on the maximum likelihood principle. In this paper we develop a splitting criterion based on the minimization of the classification error. An improvement of more than 10% relative over a discriminatively trained baseline system on the Wall Street Journal corpus suggests that the proposed approach is promising. Index Terms: discriminative training, phonetic decision trees, state tying, new paradigms
The Coronary Arteries in Early Life in Three Different Ethnic Groups

The histologic changes in the coronary arteries in full-term fetuses, infants, and children of 211 consecutive necropsy specimens from Ashkenazy, Yemenite, and Bedouin groups were studied, excluding cardiac deaths.The developmental structural pattern of the coronary arteries is similar in the three ethnic groups.Differences in the intensity and quantity of the structural findings between the sexes and among various ethnic groups are found in early life. The intimal tissue in the Ashkenazy male develops in an eccentric form, has more collagen tissue components, and is more highly developed than in the Ashkenazy female. Structural findings in the internal elastic membrane and the elastic fibers of the intima are less apparent in the Bedouin group, particularly in the female, than in the Ashkenazy and Yemenite groups.Statistical analysis of the quantitative data showed the intima and musculo-elastic layers to be more developed in the Ashkenazy male than in the Yemenite and Bedouin males. However, Ashkenazy males clearly have more intima and musculo-elastic tissue than do the Ashkenazy females. This was not true for Yemenites and was found in only one of three age groups among Bedouins.The relationship between the structural findings in coronary arteries of children under 10 years and the reported prevalence of coronary heart disease in the corresponding adult population in these three different ethnic groups has been pointed out.
Immune deviation following pulse cyclophosphamide/methylprednisolone treatment of multiple sclerosis: Increased interleukin‐4 production and associated eosinophilia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is postulated to be a Th1‐type cell‐mediateds autiommune disease. Thus therapies that decrease T cell interferon (IFN)‐γ production or increase interleukin (IL)‐4 production would be expected to have an ameliorating effect on MS. Some progressive MS patients receiving pulse cyclophosphamide therapy developed periheral blood eosinophilia. We investigated whether cyclophosphamide‐treated patients had immune deviation toward Th2 responses. We measured cytokine production in patients receiving either monthly intravenous methylprednisolone (MP), intravenous cyclophosphamide plus methylprednisolone (CY/MP), methotrexate, IFN‐β1b, in untreated MS patients, and in healthy controls. Minimal IL‐4 was secreted in untreated patients (129 · 62 pg/ml), methotrexate‐treated patients (99 · 79 pg/ml), and healthy controls (50 · 13 pg/ml). A marked increase in IL‐4 was observed in CY/MP patients (1,503 · 291 pg/ml). Patients treated with MP (418 · 160 pg/ml) or IFN‐β1b (425 · 167 pg/ml) showed small increases. Eosinophilia in CY/MP‐treated patients (6.0 · 0.7%) correlated with increased IL‐4. IL‐10 production was also increased in CY/MP‐treated patients. Both CY/MP‐ and MP‐treated groups had decreased production of IFN‐γ compared with untreated MS. These findings demonstrate pronounced immune deviation favoring Th2‐type responses after pulse cyclophosphamide therapy.
An interruptible algorithm for perfect sampling via Markov chains

For a large class of examples arising in statistical ph~ics known as attnxtiue spin @ems (e.g., the Ising model), one seeks to sample from a probability distribution T on an enormously large state space, but elementary sampling is ruled out by the infeaaibility of calculating an appropriate normalizing constant. The same difficulty arises in computer science problems where one seeks to sample randomly from a large finite distributive lattice whose precise size cannot be ascertained in any reasonable amount of time. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approximate sampling approach to such a problem is to construct and run “for a long time” a Markov chain with long-run distribution r. But determining how long is long enough to get a good approximation can be both analytically and empirically difncult. Recently, Jim Propp and David Wilson have devised an ingenious and efficient algorithm to use the same Markov chains to produce per$xt(i.e., exact) samples from T. However, the nmning time of their algorithm is an unbounded random wuiable whoee order of magnitude is typically unknown a priori and which is not independent of the state sampled, so a naive user with limited patience who aborts a long run of the algorithm will introduce bias. We present a new algorithm which (1) again uses the same Markov chains to produce perfect samples from n, but is baaed on a different idea (namely, acceptance/rejection sampling); and (2) eliminates user-impatience bias. Like the PropP-Wilson algorithm, the new algorithm applies to a general class of suitably monotone chains, and also (with modification) to “anti-monotone” chains. When the chain is reversible, naive implementation of the algorithm uaw fewer transitions but more epaoe than Propp-Wilson. When finetuned and applied with the aid of a typical peeudorandom number generator to an attractive spin system on n sits “Waearch supported by NSF grants DMS-93-11367 and DMS9626756. Mailing addIees James Allen Fti, The Johns Hop kins Univemity, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Whitahead Hall, 34th and Charles Stm%s, Baltimore, MD 2121S-26S2. Email addr~ jirn6110jhu.edu. using a random site updating Gibbs sampler whose mixing time T is polynomial in n, the algorithm runs in time of the same order (bound) as Propp-WMm [expectation O(T log n)] and uaee only logarithmically more space [expectation O(n log n), VS. O(n) fir Propp-Whn]. If truly random bits are used instead, then the time and space bounda for a fine-tuned implementation of the new algorithm are no worse than those for Propp-Wilson. The full paper is available on the author’s web PEW% at the Um http: //WU . mts. jhu. edul-f ill/
Antiviral Activity of Baicalein and Quercetin against the Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Japanese encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne viral disease, is endemic to the entire east and southeast Asia, and some other parts of the world. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic available for JE; therefore, finding the effective antiviral agent against JEV replication is crucial. In the present study, the in vitro antiviral activity of baicalein and quercetin, two purportedly antiviral bioflavonoids, was evaluated against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) replication in Vero cells. Anti-JEV activities of these compounds were examined on different stages of JEV replication cycle. The effects of the compounds on virus replication were determined by foci forming unit reduction assay (FFURA) and quantitative RT-PCR. Baicalein showed potent antiviral activity with IC50 = 14.28 μg/mL when it was introduced to the Vero cells after adsorption of JEV. Quercetin exhibited weak anti-JEV effects with IC50 = 212.1 μg/mL when the JEV infected cells were treated with the compound after virus adsorption. However, baicalein exhibited significant effect against JEV adsorption with IC50 = 7.27 μg/mL while quercetin did not show any anti-adsorption activity. Baicalein also exhibited direct extracellular virucidal activity on JEV with IC50 = 3.44 μg/mL. However, results of quantitative RT-PCR experiments confirmed the findings from FFURA. This study demonstrated that baicalein should be considered as an appropriate candidate for further investigations, such as the study of molecular and cellular mechanism(s) of action and in vivo evaluation for the development of an effective antiviral compound against Japanese encephalitis virus.
Trajectories and models of individual growth

It has long been recognized that the patterns of growth play an important role in the evolution of age trajectories of fertility and mortality (Williams, 1957). Life history studies would benefit from a better understanding of strategies and mechanisms of growth, but still no comparative research on individual growth strategies has been conducted. Growth patterns and methods have been shaped by evolution and a great variety of them are observed. Two distinct patterns - determinate and indeterminate growth - are of a special interest for these studies since they present qualitatively different outcomes of evolution. We attempt to draw together studies covering growth in plant and animal species across a wide range of phyla focusing primarily on the noted qualitative features. We also review mathematical descriptions of growth, namely empirical growth curves and growth models, and discuss the directions of future research.
The Knowledge Accelerator: Big Picture Thinking in Small Pieces

Crowdsourcing offers a powerful new paradigm for online work. However, real world tasks are often interdependent, requiring a big picture view of the difference pieces involved. Existing crowdsourcing approaches that support such tasks -- ranging from Wikipedia to flash teams -- are bottlenecked by relying on a small number of individuals to maintain the big picture. In this paper, we explore the idea that a computational system can scaffold an emerging interdependent, big picture view entirely through the small contributions of individuals, each of whom sees only a part of the whole. To investigate the viability, strengths, and weaknesses of this approach we instantiate the idea in a prototype system for accomplishing distributed information synthesis and evaluate its output across a variety of topics. We also contribute a set of design patterns that may be informative for other systems aimed at supporting big picture thinking in small pieces.
Folic acid-conjugated amphiphilic alternating copolymer as a new active tumor targeting drug delivery platform

Targeted drug delivery using polymeric nanostructures is an emerging cancer research area, engineered for safer, more efficient, and effective use of chemotherapeutic drugs. A pH-responsive, active targeting delivery system was designed using folic acid functionalized amphiphilic alternating copolymer poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (FA-DABA-SMA) via a biodegradable linker 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA). The polymeric template is pH responsive, forming amphiphilic nanostructures at pH 7, allowing the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs on its interior. Moreover, the structure is stable only at neutral pH and collapses in the acidic tumor microenvironment, releasing drugs on-site from its core. The delivery vehicle is investigated using human pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells and RAW-Blue™ mouse macrophage reporter cell line, both of which have overly expression of folic acid receptors. To trace the cellular uptake by both cell lines, curcumin was selected as a dye and drug mimic owing to its fluorescence nature and hydrophobic properties. Fluorescent microscopy of FA-DABA-SMA loaded with curcumin revealed a significant internalization of the dye by human pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells compared to those with unfunctionalized polymers (SMA). Moreover, the FA-DABA-SMA polymers exhibit rodlike association specific to the cells. Both empty SMA and FA-DABA-SMA show little toxicity to PANC-1 cells as characterized by WST-1 cell proliferation assay. These results clearly indicate that FA-DABA-SMA polymers show potential as an active tumor targeting drug delivery system with the ability to internalize hydrophobic chemotherapeutics after they specifically attach to cancer cells.
Exploring Coworker Relationships: Antecedents and Dimensions of Interpersonal Fit, Coworker Satisfaction, and Relational Models

textabstractManagement scholarship has revealed the myriad ways in which relationships between coworkers impact individual, team, and organizational phenomena. However, our scientific understanding of coworker relationships and what makes for satisfying connections with colleagues is still in its early days. This dissertation helps advance our understanding by proposing new drivers of coworker satisfaction, unpacking the nature of coworker satisfaction itself, and examining the sources and antecedents of different types of coworker relationships. Specifically, work suggests that fit between the desired degree of warmth and competence, and their provision by a coworker will result in coworker satisfaction. The factors that influence an individual’s desired degree of warmth and competence are considered, along with factors that influence perceptions of these resources in the interpersonal environment. Further, I empirically examine coworker satisfaction as a phenomenon that a) individuals have a general tendency to experience across coworkers, b) individuals have a general tendency to evoke from their partners, and c) as a phenomenon that is relationally emergent – a unique response to a particular coworker. Beyond empirically substantiating these aspects of coworker satisfaction, personality predictors of each aspect are also identified. Finally, this dissertation examines the types of relationships that may exist between colleagues, and considers general tendencies to perceive and provoke relationship types across partners, as well as the emergence of relationship types that are partner-specific. Personality and gender predictors of general relationship tendencies and emergent relationship styles are also presented.
Controversies and role of HPV16 in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell cancers of the head and neck.

density is a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture and half of the fracture occurs in subjects with T-score >−2.5. The decision to treat patients should be tailored on an individual basis taking into account all the risk factors. Finally, in our study, oral bisphosphonates avoided bone density loss but did not avoid all fractures which were more frequent in older women. Considering the poor gastric absorption, the constraints of pills intake and the poor adherence of oral bisphosphonates, i.v. bisphosphonates represent a valid therapeutic option. The efficacy of i.v. bisphosphonates in the prevention of AI-induced bone loss has been already published. There is some evidence of the benefit effects of zoledronic acid in survival in postmenopausal early breast cancer patients but data are scarce and need to be improved.
Phase transitions in semidefinite relaxations

Significance Modern data analysis requires solving hard optimization problems with a large number of parameters and a large number of constraints. A successful approach is to replace these hard problems by surrogate problems that are convex and hence tractable. Semidefinite programming relaxations offer a powerful method to construct such relaxations. In many instances it was observed that a semidefinite relaxation becomes very accurate when the noise level in the data decreases below a certain threshold. We develop a new method to compute these noise thresholds (or phase transitions) using ideas from statistical physics. Statistical inference problems arising within signal processing, data mining, and machine learning naturally give rise to hard combinatorial optimization problems. These problems become intractable when the dimensionality of the data is large, as is often the case for modern datasets. A popular idea is to construct convex relaxations of these combinatorial problems, which can be solved efficiently for large-scale datasets. Semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations are among the most powerful methods in this family and are surprisingly well suited for a broad range of problems where data take the form of matrices or graphs. It has been observed several times that when the statistical noise is small enough, SDP relaxations correctly detect the underlying combinatorial structures. In this paper we develop asymptotic predictions for several detection thresholds, as well as for the estimation error above these thresholds. We study some classical SDP relaxations for statistical problems motivated by graph synchronization and community detection in networks. We map these optimization problems to statistical mechanics models with vector spins and use nonrigorous techniques from statistical mechanics to characterize the corresponding phase transitions. Our results clarify the effectiveness of SDP relaxations in solving high-dimensional statistical problems.
A link between gut community metabolism and pathogenesis: molecular hydrogen-stimulated glucarate catabolism aids Salmonella virulence

Glucarate, an oxidized product of glucose, is a major serum organic acid in humans. Still, its role as a carbon source for a pathogen colonizing hosts has not been studied. We detected high-level expression of a potential glucarate permease encoding gene gudT when Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium are exposed to hydrogen gas (H2), a gaseous by-product of gut commensal metabolism. A gudT strain of Salmonella is deficient in glucarate-dependent growth, however, it can still use other monosaccharides, such as glucose or galactose. Complementation of the gudT mutant with a plasmid harbouring gudT restored glucarate-dependent growth to wild-type (WT) levels. The gudT mutant exhibits attenuated virulence: the mean time of death for mice inoculated with WT strain was 2 days earlier than for mice inoculated with the gudT strain. At 4 days postinoculation, liver and spleen homogenates from mice inoculated with a gudT strain contained significantly fewer viable Salmonella than homogenates from animals inoculated with the parent. The parent strain grew well H2-dependently in a minimal medium with amino acids and glucarate provided as the sole carbon sources, whereas the gudT strain achieved approximately 30% of the parent strain's yield. Glucarate-mediated growth of a mutant strain unable to produce H2 was stimulated by H2 addition, presumably owing to the positive transcriptional response to H2. Gut microbiota-produced molecular hydrogen apparently signals Salmonella to catabolize an alternative carbon source available in the host. Our results link a gut microbiome-produced diffusible metabolite to augmenting bacterial pathogenesis.