Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteocalcin as a marker of metabolic risk in healthy postmenopausal women

Objective: Several studies have reported the role of osteocalcin on glucose and fat metabolism. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the concentration of osteocalcin and metabolic risk factors in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of 54 postmenopausal women aged 56 ± 3.5 years were conducted. We recorded clinical and biochemical data of metabolic risk including fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level and evaluated the relationship between serum osteocalcin and bone formation markers. Results: Serum osteocalcin concentration was negatively correlated with FPG (&bgr; = −0.328, P = 0.035). When osteocalcin levels were divided into tertiles, we found significant differences in FPG between the highest and the lowest tertiles (84 ± 11 vs 98 ± 30 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.029). We found significantly lower osteocalcin levels in women with impaired fasting glucose levels than in those with normoglycemia (10.7 ± 6.1 vs 17.1 ± 7.4 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.006). We also found lower concentrations of osteocalcin in obese women versus nonobese women (14.4 ± 8.8 vs 17.3 ± 6.2 ng/mL; P = 0.034) and women with increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels versus those with low LDL-c levels (14.1 ± 5.4 vs 18.9 ± 9.1 ng/mL; P = 0.045). A concentration of 13.5 ng/ mL or lower showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 63.8% to detect increased risk for diabetes (FPG ≥100 mg/dL). In contrast, serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase did not correlate with any variable. Conclusions: In this population, there is a consistent association between osteocalcin and markers of metabolic syndrome. We suggest potential usefulness of serum osteocalcin as a predictor for increased risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women.
P2L-2 Study of Second-Harmonic Generation of Lamb Waves Propagating in Layered Planar Structures with Weak Interfaces

The physical process of second-harmonic generation by the primary Lamb waves, propagating in layered planar structures with weak interfaces, has been studied in this paper. Due to the kinematic nonlinearity and the elastic nonlinearity of materials, there is second-harmonic generation accompanying the primary Lamb wave propagation. The well-known finite interfacial stiffness technique is used to describe the properties of weak interfaces of layered planar structures. It is found that the finite normal and tangential interfacial stiffnesses will effectively influence the effect of second-harmonic generation by Lamb wave propagation at the modal expansion coefficients of the Double Frequency Lamb Waves (abbr. DFLWs, constituting the second-harmonic fields) and at the dispersion relations of Lamb waves (determining the degree of cumulative growth of a DFLW component). Relative to the case where the interface of a layered planar structure is perfect and the phase velocity of the DFLW component is equal to that of the primary Lamb wave propagation at a given frequency where the DFLW component grows with propagation distance, the efficiency of second-harmonic generation of the primary Lamb wave propagation will decrease greatly when the normal and tangential interfacial stiffnesses decrease. The effect of second-harmonic generation by the primary Lamb wave propagation may provide a potential for accurately characterizing the properties of weak interfaces of layered planar structures
Quickest Paths in Simulations of Pedestrians

This contribution proposes a method to make agents in a microscopic simulation of pedestrian traffic walk approximately along a path of estimated minimal remaining travel time to their destination. Usually models of pedestrian dynamics are (implicitly) built on the assumption that pedestrians walk along the shortest path. Model elements formulated to make pedestrians locally avoid collisions and intrusion into personal space do not produce motion on quickest paths. Therefore a special model element is needed, if one wants to model and simulate pedestrians for whom travel time matters most (e.g. travelers in a station hall who are late for a train). Here such a model element is proposed, discussed and used within the Social Force Model.
Decision Tree for the Management of Periimplant Diseases

The development of implants reflects one of the foremost breakthroughs of dentistry. As the market keeps growing exponentially, the implantologist faces an unavoidable challenge, that is, how to deal with the complications associated with implants. Literature published so far has focused in dealing with the technical and surgical aspects of implant therapy. Information regarding the management of periimplant diseases is rather lacking. Hence, the purpose of this article is to provide an overview and description of periimplant diseases, along with treatment recommendations.
Compressed Domain Video Resolution Enhancement: Use of Motion Vectors

In this paper we propose a new method for video resolution enhancement from compressed video data. Novelty of the approach is that resolution enhancement is done by interpolating the motion vectors. Proposed method works very well for different compression methodologies. We first discuss zooming, when the video is compressed using the Discrete Cosine Transform Domain (DCT). Next we use the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) based video compression proposed in [7] and develop a zooming technique in the DWT domain. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method. Finally, we show that motion vector interpolation can also be used from video frame interpolation.
Spheroid Formation and Enhanced Cardiomyogenic Potential of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Grown on Chitosan

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells may differentiate into cardiomyocytes and participate in local tissue repair after heart injury. In the current study, rat adipose-derived adult stem cells (ASCs) grown on chitosan membranes were observed to form cell spheroids after 3 days. The cell seeding density and surface modification of chitosan with Arg-Gly-Asp–containing peptide had an influence on the sizes of ASC spheroids. In the absence of induction, these spheroids showed an increased level of cardiac marker gene expression (Gata4, Nkx2-5, Myh6, and Tnnt2) more than 20-fold versus cells on the tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) dish. Induction by 5-azacytidine or p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (SB202190) did not further increase the cardiac marker gene expression of these spheroids. Moreover, the enhanced cardiomyogenic potential of the spheroids was highly associated with the chitosan substrates. When ASC spheroids were plated onto TCPS with either basal or cardiac induction medium for 9 days, the spheroids spread into a monolayer and the positive effect on cardiomyogenic marker gene expression disappeared. The possible role of calcium ion and the up-regulation of adhesion molecule P-selectin and chemokine receptor Cxcr4 were demonstrated in ASC spheroids. Applying these spheroids to the chronic myocardial infarction animal model showed better functional recovery versus single cells after 12 weeks. Taken together, this study suggested that the ASC spheroids on chitosan may form as a result of calcium ion signaling, and the transplantation of these spheroids may offer a simple method to enhance the efficiency of stem cell–based therapy in myocardial infarction.
An initial object-oriented programming language (IOPL) and its implementation

Object-oriented programming languages designed for introductory teaching simplify the often overcomplex features of conventional languages, but usually do so within software development environments that mimic their conventional counterparts. In such systems, semantic checking is performed after the editing process and within a conventional edit-compile-execute cycle. The initial object-oriented programming language (IOPL) provides incremental semantic checking via a structure editor that manipulates the persistent abstract syntax representation of an application and ensures that no syntax errors and no type errors occur during the editing process.
Evaluation of Physicochemical, Functional and Pasting Properties of Soybean, Mung Bean and Red Kidney Bean Flour as Ingredient in Biscuit

This present study was aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, functional and pasting properties of soybean, mung bean and red bean flour. The physicochemical (moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, energy, starch, total dietary fiber and color), functional properties (swelling power, solubility, water holding capacity, oil holding capacity and bulk density) and pasting properties (peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, setback viscosity, final viscosity and pasting temperature) of flours were evaluated. Soybean flour had highest values of fat, ash, protein content, solubility, and oil holding capacity while the lowest value for starch, carbohydrate, swelling power and peak, breakdown, final and setback viscosity. Mung bean flour had highest values of swelling power and peak viscosity, while the lowest value for ash content, solubility, water holding capacity, and total dietary fiber. Red bean flour had the highest starch, carbohydrate, water holding capacity, total dietary fiber, breakdown and setback viscosity, while the lowest value for ash, fat and protein content. From the three types of legumes were analyzed in this study, mung bean flour can be the best choice for wheat flour substitution as ingredient biscuit because it has high swelling power and peak viscosity, and low setback, breakdown viscosity and pasting temperature.
Drug Effect of Clofazimine on Persisters Explains an Unexpected Increase in Bacterial Load in Patients

Antituberculosis (anti-TB) drug development is dependent on informative trials to secure the development of new antibiotics and combination regimens. Clofazimine (CLO) and pyrazinamide (PZA) are important components of recommended standard multidrug treatments of TB. Paradoxically, in a phase IIa trial aiming to define the early bactericidal activity (EBA) of CLO and PZA monotherapy over the first 14 days of treatment, no significant drug effect was demonstrated for the two drugs using traditional statistical analysis. ABSTRACT Antituberculosis (anti-TB) drug development is dependent on informative trials to secure the development of new antibiotics and combination regimens. Clofazimine (CLO) and pyrazinamide (PZA) are important components of recommended standard multidrug treatments of TB. Paradoxically, in a phase IIa trial aiming to define the early bactericidal activity (EBA) of CLO and PZA monotherapy over the first 14 days of treatment, no significant drug effect was demonstrated for the two drugs using traditional statistical analysis. Using a model-based analysis, we characterized the statistically significant exposure-response relationships for both drugs that could explain the original findings of an increase in the numbers of CFU with CLO treatment and no effect with PZA. Sensitive analyses are crucial for exploring drug effects in early clinical trials to make the right decisions for advancement to further development. We propose that this quantitative semimechanistic approach provides a rational framework for analyzing phase IIa EBA studies and can accelerate anti-TB drug development.
Estrogen Receptor β Activation Rapidly Modulates Male Sexual Motivation through the Transactivation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1a

In addition to the transcriptional activity of their liganded nuclear receptors, estrogens, such as estradiol (E2), modulate cell functions, and consequently physiology and behavior, within minutes through membrane-initiated events. The membrane-associated receptors (mERs) underlying the acute effects of estrogens on behavior have mostly been documented in females where active estrogens are thought to be of ovarian origin. We determined here, by acute intracerebroventricular injections of specific agonists and antagonists, the type(s) of mERs that modulate rapid effects of brain-derived estrogens on sexual motivation in male Japanese quail. Brain aromatase blockade acutely inhibited sexual motivation. Diarylpropionitrile (DPN), an estrogen receptor β (ERβ)-specific agonist, and to a lesser extent 17α-estradiol, possibly acting through ER-X, prevented this effect. In contrast, drugs targeting ERα (PPT and MPP), GPR30 (G1 and G15), and the Gq-mER (STX) did not affect sexual motivation. The mGluR1a antagonist LY367385 significantly inhibited sexual motivation but mGluR2/3 and mGluR5 antagonists were ineffective. LY367385 also blocked the behavioral restoration induced by E2 or DPN, providing functional evidence that ERβ interacts with metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a (mGluR1a) signaling to acutely regulate male sexual motivation. Together these results show that ERβ plays a key role in sexual behavior regulation and the recently uncovered cooperation between mERs and mGluRs is functional in males where it mediates the acute effects of estrogens produced centrally in response to social stimuli. The presence of an ER–mGluR interaction in birds suggests that this mechanism emerged relatively early in vertebrate history and is well conserved. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The membrane-associated receptors underlying the acute effects of estrogens on behavior have mostly been documented in females, where active estrogens are thought to be of ovarian origin. Using acute intracerebroventricular injections of specific agonists and antagonists following blockade of brain aromatase, we show here that brain-derived estrogens acutely facilitate male sexual motivation through the activation of estrogen receptor β interacting with the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a. This behavioral effect occurring within minutes provides a mechanistic explanation of how an estrogen receptor not intrinsically coupled to intracellular effectors can signal from the membrane to govern behavior in a very rapid fashion. It suggests that different subtypes of estrogen receptors could regulate the motivation versus performance aspects of behavior.
Multivariate time series similarity-based complex network in stocks market analysis: case of NYSE during global crisis 2008

Long before we started with the 21st millennium, Stephen Hawking saw the current millennium as the millennium of complex systems. Until present, he was right due to the fast growing technology in computer. Nowadays, in the era of digital world where big data is our daily menu, we cannot escape from complex systems. As big data is characterized by “4V” (Variety, Velocity, Veracity and Volume), statistics such as practiced in traditional way is not enough and sometime is not apt to be used to understand the most important information contained in big data. What people call now data analytics needs to be used as the only complementary. It is mathematically dominated by multivariate data analysis (MVDA) in the French way. Traditional statistics, which is based on mathematical statistics, is to do confirmatory analysis while data analytics is to do exploratory analysis. The former is to do hypothesis testing (micro analysis) and the latter is for hypothesis generation (macro analysis). Macro analysis is more appropriate to deal with big data. The principal mathematical tool to do macro analysis is MVDA in the French way where big data is considered as a complex system. In this regards, the main problem is to define the similarity among objects of the study such as stocks, economic sectors, currencies, and other commodities in financial industry, which are statistically a multivariate time series. Furthermore, the principal tools to filter the important information contained in a complex system are complex network and social network analysis. To demonstrate the advantages of complex network approach in stocks market analysis, in this paper the behaviour of economic sectors played in NYSE during global crisis in 2008 will be presented and discussed. By nature, all stocks are a multivariate time series. Therefore, in that example, we show that the use of Pearson correlation coefficient is useless to define the similarity among them. We use Escoufier’s vector correlation coefficient instead.
Macrophage-Derived Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2 Accelerates Development of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Objective—Recently, we reported that angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) functions in various chronic inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we asked whether Angptl2 and its associated chronic inflammation contribute to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods and Results—Immunohistochemistry revealed that Angptl2 is abundantly expressed in infiltrating macrophages within the vessel wall of patients with AAA and in a CaCl2-induced AAA mouse model. When Angptl2-deficient mice were used in the mouse model, they showed decreased AAA development compared with wild-type mice, as evidenced by reduction in aneurysmal size, less severe destruction of vessel structure, and lower expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-9. However, no difference in the number of infiltrating macrophages within the aortic aneurysmal vessel wall was observed between genotypes. AAA development was also significantly suppressed in wild-type mice that underwent Angptl2-deficient bone marrow transplantation. Expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinase-9 in Angptl2-deficient macrophages were significantly decreased, and those decreases were rescued by treatment of Angptl2 deficient macrophages with exogenous Angptl2. Conclusion—Macrophage-derived Angptl2 contributes to AAA development by inducing inflammation and degradation of extracellular matrix in the vessel wall, suggesting that targeting the Angptl2-induced inflammatory axis in macrophages could represent a new strategy for AAA therapy.
A fast and effective steganalytic technique against JSteg-like algorithms

Detection of hidden messages in images, also known as image steganalysis, is of great significance to network information security. In this paper, we propose a fast and effective steganalytic technique based on statistical distributions of DCT coefficients which is aimed at two kinds of popular JSteg-like steganographic systems, sequential JSteg and random JSteg for JPEG images. Our approach can not only determine the existence of hidden messages in JPEG images reliably, but also estimate the amount of hidden messages exactly. Its advantages also include simplicity, computational efficiency and easy implementation of real-time detection. Experiment results show the superiority of our approach over other steganalytic techniques.
The MISO interference channel from a game-theoretic perspective: A combination of selfishness and altruism achieves pareto optimality

We study the MISO interference channel from a game-theoretic perspective. Recently, it was shown that the rates at the non-cooperative Nash equilibrium (NE) strategy are poor especially in the medium and high SNR regimes. A reasonable outcome of the cooperative approach, close to the Pareto boundary of the achievable rate region, was shown to be the zero-forcing (ZF) strategy. In this work, we prove that any point on the Pareto boundary can be achieved by a certain linear combination of the NE and ZF strategies. A scalar weight per user chooses between "selfish" (NE) and altruistic (ZF) behavior. Thereby, the difficult beamforming optimization is reduced to a simple weight optimization. Different optimal operating points, e.g. maximum weighted sum-rate, the Nash-bargaining solution, or the Egalitarian solution, can be obtained by a computationally efficient iterative algorithm. The results are characterized by instantaneous achievable rate regions and the corresponding operating points.
Induced processing biases have causal effects on anxiety

After briefly describing the nature of emotional processing biases associated with vulnerability to anxiety, and a model of how they may be produced, we review new data on the experimental induction of attentional and interpretative biases. We show that these biases can be readily induced in the laboratory, in the absence of mood changes. However, induced biases exert effects on the processing of new information and cause congruent changes in state anxiety when they influence how emotionally significant information is encoded. We can therefore conclude that biases have causal effects on vulnerability to anxiety via their influence on how significant events are processed. Finally, we discuss how our model might account for the acquisition of processing bias and for when they can influence anxiety.
Depth reduction for noncommutative arithmetic circuits

We show that for every family of arithmetic circuits of polynomial size and degree over the algebra (Z*, max, concat ), there is an equivalent family of arithmetic circuits of depth log2 n. (The depth can be reduced to log n if unbounded fan-in is allowed.) This is the first depth-reduction result for arithmetic circuits Olrer a nonco~utative semiring, and it complements the lower bounds of [Ni91, K090] showing that depth reduction cannot be done in the general noncommutative setting. The (max,concat) semiring is of interest, because it characterizes certain classes of optimization problems [AJ92, Vi91]. In particular, our results show that OptSACi is contained in AC1. We also prove other results relating Boolean and arithmetic circuit complexity. We show that ACl has no more power than arithmetic circuits of polynomial size and degree n“(log log’) (improving the trivial bound of nOIIOg‘)). Connections are drawn between TCl and arithmetic circuits of polynomial size and degree.
Role of molecular chaperones and TPR-domain proteins in the cytoplasmic transport of steroid receptors and their passage through the nuclear pore

In the absence of hormone, corticosteroid receptors such as GR (glucocorticoid receptor) and MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) are primarily located in the cytoplasm. Upon steroid-binding, they rapidly accumulate in the nucleus. Regardless of their primary location, these receptors and many other nuclear factors undergo a constant and dynamic nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. All members of the steroid receptor family are known to form large oligomeric structures with the heat-shock proteins of 90-kDa (hsp90) and 70-kDa (hsp70), the small acidic protein p23, and a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-domain protein such as FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), cyclophilins (CyPs) or the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 (PP5). It has always been stated that the dissociation of the chaperone heterocomplex (a process normally referred to as receptor “transformation”) is the first step that permits the nuclear import of steroid receptors. However the experimental evidence is consistent with a model where the chaperone machinery is required for the retrotransport of the receptor through the cytoplasm and also facilitates the passage through the nuclear pore. Recent evidence indicates that the hsp90-based chaperone system also interacts with structures of the nuclear pore such as importin ß and the integral nuclear pore glycoprotein Nup62 facilitating the passage of the untransformed receptor through the nuclear pore.