Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ethnic Differences in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Between UK Children of Black African-Caribbean and White European Origin

Background and Purpose— UK black African-Caribbean adults have higher risks of stroke than white Europeans and have been shown to have increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). We examined whether corresponding ethnic differences in cIMT were apparent in childhood and, if so, whether these could be explained by ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk markers. Methods— We conducted a 2-stage survey of 939 children (208 white European, 240 black African-Caribbean, 258 South Asian, 63 other Asian, 170 other ethnicity), who had a cardiovascular risk assessment and measurements of cIMT at mean ages of 9.8 and 10.8 years, respectively. Results— Black African-Caribbean children had a higher cIMT than white Europeans (mean difference, 0.014 mm; 95% CI, 0.008–0.021 mm; P<0.0001). cIMT levels in South Asian and other Asian children were however similar to those of white Europeans. Among all children, cIMT was positively associated with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and inversely with combined skinfold thickness and serum triglyceride. Mean triglyceride was lower among black African-Caribbeans than white Europeans; blood pressure and skinfold thickness did not differ appreciably. However, adjustment for these risk factors had little effect on the cIMT difference between black African-Caribbeans and white Europeans. Conclusions— UK black African-Caribbean children have higher cIMT levels in childhood; the difference is not explained by conventional cardiovascular risk markers. There may be important opportunities for early cardiovascular prevention, particularly in black African-Caribbean children.
Forkhead Box M1 Regulates the Transcriptional Network of Genes Essential for Mitotic Progression and Genes Encoding the SCF (Skp2-Cks1) Ubiquitin Ligase

ABSTRACT The Forkhead box m1 (Foxm1) gene is critical for G1/S transition and essential for mitotic progression. However, the transcriptional mechanisms downstream of FoxM1 that control these cell cycle events remain to be determined. Here, we show that both early-passage Foxm1 − / − mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and human osteosarcoma U2OS cells depleted of FoxM1 protein by small interfering RNA fail to grow in culture due to a mitotic block and accumulate nuclear levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) proteins p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. Using quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation and expression assays, we show that FoxM1 is essential for transcription of the mitotic regulatory genes Cdc25B, Aurora B kinase, survivin, centromere protein A (CENPA), and CENPB. We also identify the mechanism by which FoxM1 deficiency causes elevated nuclear levels of the CDKI proteins p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. We provide evidence that FoxM1 is essential for transcription of Skp2 and Cks1, which are specificity subunits of the Skp1-Cullin 1-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex that targets these CDKI proteins for degradation during the G1/S transition. Moreover, early-passage Foxm1 − / − MEFs display premature senescence as evidenced by high expression of the senescence-associated β-galactosidase, p19ARF, and p16INK4A proteins. Taken together, these results demonstrate that FoxM1 regulates transcription of cell cycle genes critical for progression into S-phase and mitosis.
Artificial Ant Colonies in Digital Image Habitats - A Mass Behaviour Effect Study on Pattern Recognition

Some recent studies have pointed that, the self-organization of neurons into brain-like structures, and the self-organization of ants into a swarm are similar in many respects. If possible to implement, these features could lead to important developments in pattern recognition systems, where perceptive capabilities can emerge and evolve from the interaction of many simple local rules. The principle of the method is inspired by the work of Chialvo and Millonas who developed the first numerical simulation in which swarm cognitive map formation could be explained. From this point, an extended model is presented in order to deal with digital image habitats, in which artificial ants could be able to react to the environment and perceive it. Evolution of pheromone fields point that artificial ant colonies could react and adapt appropriately to any type of digital habitat. KEYWORDS: Swarm Intelligence, Self-Organization, Stigmergy, Artificial Ant Systems, Pattern Recognition and Perception, Image Segmentation, Gestalt Perception Theory, Distributed Computation.
Substitutional reality: Towards a research agenda

In our previous work on Substitutional Reality, we presented an exploration of a class of Virtual Environments where every physical object surrounding the user is associated with appropriate virtual counterparts. Differently from “passive haptics”, Substitutional Reality assumes the existence of a discrepancy in the association. This previous work explored how far this mismatch can be pushed and its impact on the believability of the experience. In this paper we discuss three main research directions for Substitutional Reality. Firstly, the design space is largely unexplored as the initial investigation focused on the mismatch between real and virtual objects. Secondly, the development of systems enabling a dynamic substitution process represents a key challenge. Thirdly, we discuss the meta-design process of these experiences.
In-hospital cardiac arrest

To review the current management of in-hospital cardiac arrest and to identify variables that influence outcomes, OLDMEDLINE from 1950 to 1966 and MEDLINE from 1966 to March 2005 were searched using the keywords cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac arrest, in hospital, and adult. Secondary sources were derived from review publications and personal communications by one of the authors. There is no secure evidence that the ultimate outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in settings of in-hospital cardiac arrest have improved in the >40 yrs that followed the landmark report by Kouwenhoven, Jude, and Knickerbocker, which launched the modern era of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A paucity of objective measurements preclude secure protocols for sequencing of interventions and, even more, when to initiate and discontinue cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The preparedness of both physicians and nursing professionals to implement the published guidelines has itself been questioned. Whereas early access defibrillation with automated external defibrillators may be of benefit in out-of-hospital settings, there has as yet been no secure evidence that automated external defibrillators have had a favorable impact on in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation when used on infrequent occasions by first responders. This contrasts with the much greater success of advanced life support providers and especially when electrical defibrillation is promptly performed by expertly trained personnel after onset of cardiac arrest. Outcomes are therefore improved in critical care settings and especially in coronary care units in which patients are continuously monitored.
Ieee Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems Topology Mapping and Geolocating for China's Internet

—We perform a large-scale topology mapping and geolocation study for China's Internet. To overcome the limited number of Chinese PlanetLab nodes and looking glass servers, we leverage unique features in China's Internet, including the hierarchical structure of the major ISPs and the abundance of IDC datacenters. Using only 15 vantage points, we design a traceroute scheme that finds significantly more interfaces and links than iPlane with significantly fewer traceroute probes. We then consider the problem of geolocating router interfaces and end hosts in China. When examining three well-known Chinese geoIP databases, we observe frequent occurrences of null replies and erroneous entries, suggesting that there is significant room for improvement. We develop a heuristic for clustering the interface topology of a hierarchical ISP, and then apply the heuristic to the major Chinese ISPs. We show that the clustering heuristic can geolocate router interfaces with significantly more detail and consistency than can the existing geoIP databases in isolation. We show that the resulting clusters expose several characteristics of the Chinese Internet, including the major ISPs' provincial structure and the centralized inter-connections among the ISPs. Finally, using the clustering heuristic, we propose a methodology for improving commercial geoIP databases and evaluate using IDC datacenter landmarks.
Preferring balanced vs. advantageous peace agreements: A study of Israeli attitudes towards a two state solution

The paper extends research on fixed-pie perceptions by suggesting that disputants may prefer proposals that are perceived to be equally attractive to both parties (i.e., balanced) rather than one-sided, because balanced agreements are seen as more likely to be successfully implemented. We test our predictions using data on Israeli support for the Geneva Accords, an agreement for a two state solution negotiated by unofficial delegations of Israel and the Palestinian Authority in 2003. The results demonstrate that Israelis are more likely to support agreements that are seen favorably by other Israelis, but — contrary to fixed-pie predictions — Israeli support for the accords does not diminish simply because a majority of Palestinians favors (rather than opposes) the accords. We show that implementation concerns create a demand among Israelis for balance in the degree to which each side favors (or opposes) the agreement. The effect of balance is noteworthy in that it creates considerable support for proposals even when a majority of Israelis and Palestinians oppose the deal.
MESSENGER observations of large flux transfer events at Mercury

Six flux transfer events (FTEs) were encountered during MESSENGER's first two flybys of Mercury (M1 and M2). For M1 the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was predominantly northward and four FTEs with durations of 1 to 6 s were observed in the magnetosheath following southward IMF turnings. The IMF was steadily southward during M2, and an FTE 4 s in duration was observed just inside the dawn magnetopause followed ∼32 s later by a 7‐s FTE in the magnetosheath. Flux rope models were fit to the magnetic field data to determine FTE dimensions and flux content. The largest FTE observed by MESSENGER had a diameter of ∼1 RM (where RM is Mercury's radius), and its open magnetic field increased the fraction of the surface exposed to the solar wind by 10–20 percent and contributed up to ∼30 kV to the cross‐magnetospheric electric potential.
Kernels for Vector-Valued Functions: a Review

Kernel methods are among the most popular techniques in machine learning. From a regularization perspective they play a central role in regularization theory as they provide a natural choice for the hypotheses space and the regularization functional through the notion of reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. From a probabilistic perspective they are the key in the context of Gaussian processes, where the kernel function is known as the covariance function. Traditionally, kernel methods have been used in supervised learning problems with scalar outputs and indeed there has been a considerable amount of work devoted to designing and learning kernels. More recently there has been an increasing interest in methods that deal with multiple outputs, motivated partially by frameworks like multitask learning. In this monograph, we review different methods to design or learn valid kernel functions for multiple outputs, paying particular attention to the connection between probabilistic and functional methods.
Coring induced sediment fabrics at IODP Expedition 347 Sites M0061 and M0062 identified by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS): criteria for accepting palaeomagnetic data

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data obtained from discrete subsamples recovered from two Integrated Ocean Drilling Program sites (Expedition 347 sites M0061 and M0062 in the Baltic Sea) by an Advanced Piston Corer are compared to results obtained on subsamples recovered by replicate 6-m-long Kullenberg piston cores. Characteristic natural remanence directions were obtained from the total of 1097 subsamples using principal component analyses. The three principal anisotropy axes of subsamples taken from Advanced Piston Core liners align to the subsample axes, with the maximum axis (K1) parallel to the split core surfaces, possibly caused by outwards relaxation of the core-liners after splitting. A second anomalous anisotropy fabric is characterized by steep values of the angular difference between the inclination of the minimum anisotropy axes (K3) and that expected for horizontal bedding (90°). This fabric is confined to the upper 1–2 m of the Kullenberg cores and specific sections of the advanced piston cores, and we attribute it to conical deformation caused by either excessive penetration speeds and downwards dragging of sediment along the edge of the liner or stretching caused by undersampling. By using our data in an example, we present a protocol to accept palaeomagnetic secular variation data that uses (i) a threshold 90-K3 value of 15°, combined with a modelled, locally applicable minimum inclination of 65° and (ii) an A95 cone of confidence based on Fisher statistics applied to virtual geomagnetic pole distributions.
Clinical Value of the VMI Supplemental Tests: A Modified Replication Study

Purpose. To carry out a modified replication of the study performed by Kulp and Sortor evaluating the clinical value of the information provided by Beery’s visual-motor supplemental tests of Visual Perception (VP) and Motor Coordination (MC) in normally developed children. The objectives were to (a) estimate the correlations among the three tests scores; (b) assess the predictive power of the VP and MC scores in explaining the variance in Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) scores; and (c) examine whether poor performance on the VMI is related to poor performance on VP or MC. Methods. A convenience sample of 71 children ages 4 and 5 years (M = 4.62 ± 0.43) participated in the study. Results. The supplemental tests significantly (F = 9.59; dF = 2; p ≤ 0. 001) explained 22% of the variance in VMI performance. Only VP was significantly related to VMI (&bgr; = 0.39; T = 3.49) accounting for the total amount of explained variance. Using the study population norms, 11 children (16% of total sample) did poorly on the VMI; of those 11, 73% did poorly on the VP, and none did poorly on the MC. None of these 11 did poorly on both the VP and MC. Nine percent of total sample who did poorly on the VP performed within the norm on the VMI. Thirteen percent who performed poorly on the MC performed within the norm on the VMI. Using the VMI published norms, 14 children (20% of total sample) who did poorly on the VP performed within the norm on the VMI. Forty-eight percent who did poorly on MC performed within the norm on the VMI. Conclusions. Findings supported Kulp and Sortor’s conclusions that each area should be individually evaluated during visual-perceptual assessment of children regardless of performance on the VMI.
Is asymptomatic bacteriuria a risk factor for prosthetic joint infection?

BACKGROUND Infection is a major complication after total joint arthroplasty. The urinary tract is a possible source of surgical site contamination, but the role of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) before elective surgery and the subsequent risk of infection is poorly understood. METHODS Candidates for total hip or total knee arthroplasty were reviewed in a multicenter cohort study. A urine sample was cultured in all patients, and those with ASB were identified. Preoperative antibiotic treatment was decided on an individual basis, and it was not mandatory or randomized. The primary outcome was prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the first postoperative year. RESULTS A total of 2497 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of ASB was 12.1% (303 of 2497), 16.3% in women and 5.0% in men (odds ratio, 3.67; 95% confidence interval, 2.65-5.09; P < .001). The overall PJI rate was 1.7%. The infection rate was significantly higher in the ASB group than in the non-ASB group (4.3% vs 1.4%; odds ratio, 3.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-6.27; P = .001). In the ASB group, there was no significant difference in PJI rate between treated (3.9%) and untreated (4.7%) patients. The ASB group had a significantly higher proportion of PJI due to gram-negative microorganisms than the non-ASB group, but these did not correlate to isolates from urine cultures. CONCLUSIONS ASB was an independent risk factor for PJI, particularly that due to gram-negative microorganisms. Preoperative antibiotic treatment did not show any benefit and cannot be recommended.
BER Performance of OFDM-BPSK and -QPSK Over Generalized Gamma Fading Channel

In this paper, the BER performance of OFDM-BPSK and -QPSK system over generalized gamma fading channel has been reported. This model is versatile enough to represent short-term fading such as Weibull, Nakagami-m, or Rayleigh as well as shadowing. The flexibility of this model is because of two fading parameters compared to only one in Nakagami-m fading model, which helps to analyze the severity of fading more deeply. Here, simulations of OFDM signals are carried with generalized gamma faded signal to understand the effect of channel fading.
Intradentate colchicine retards the development of amygdala kindling

The mechanisms underlying the kindling model of epilepsy are unknown. Presumably, an altered network of neural circuits underlie amygdala kindling. Biochemical and radiohistochemical studies have pointed to the dentate granule cells (DGC) of the hippocampal formation as a member of this altered circuit. To test the role of these cells, colchicine, a neurotoxin of DGC, was directly injected into the dentate gyrus. Prior destruction of DGC retarded the development of amygdala kindling. Destruction of DGC after kindling was completed did not reverse the kindling effect. We conclude that DGC play a key role in the development, but not the permanence, of amygdala kindling. We propose a model whereby the greater the input to the hippocampal formation, the faster limbic kindling will proceed.
Money, Credit, Monetary Policy and the Business Cycle in the Euro Area: What Has Changed since the Crisis?

This paper uses a data-set including time series data on macroeconomic variables, loans, deposits and interest rates for the euro area in order to study the features of financial intermediation over the business cycle. We find that stylized facts for aggregate monetary and real variables are remarkably similar to what has been found for the US by many studies while we uncover new facts on disaggregated loans and deposits. During the crisis the cyclical behavior of short term interest rates, loans and deposits remain stable but we identify unusual dynamics of longer term loans, deposits and longer term interest rates.
G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor‐mediated effects on cytosolic calcium and nanomechanics in brain microvascular endothelial cells

G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a relatively recently identified non‐nuclear estrogen receptor, expressed in several tissues, including brain and blood vessels. The mechanisms elicited by GPER activation in brain microvascular endothelial cells are incompletely understood. The purpose of this work was to assess the effects of GPER activation on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, nitric oxide production, membrane potential and cell nanomechanics in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVEC). Extracellular but not intracellular administration of G‐1, a selective GPER agonist, or extracellular administration of 17‐β‐estradiol and tamoxifen, increased [Ca2+]i in RBMVEC. The effect of G‐1 on [Ca2+]i was abolished in Ca2+‐free saline or in the presence of a L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker. G‐1 increased nitric oxide production in RBMVEC; the effect was prevented by NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester. G‐1 elicited membrane hyperpolarization that was abolished by the antagonists of small and intermediate‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels, apamin, and charibdotoxin. GPER‐mediated responses were sensitive to G‐36, a GPER antagonist. In addition, atomic force microscopy studies revealed that G‐1 increased the modulus of elasticity, indicative of cytoskeletal changes and increase in RBMVEC stiffness. Our results unravel the mechanisms underlying GPER‐mediated effects in RBMVEC with implications for the effect of estrogen on cerebral microvasculature.
Phase II randomized study of trastuzumab emtansine versus trastuzumab plus docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), an antibody-drug conjugate composed of the cytotoxic agent DM1 conjugated to trastuzumab via a stable thioether linker, has shown clinical activity in single-arm studies enrolling patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose disease had progressed on HER2-targeted therapy in the metastatic setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients (N = 137) with HER2-positive MBC or recurrent locally advanced breast cancer were randomly assigned to trastuzumab plus docetaxel (HT; n = 70) or T-DM1 (n = 67) as first-line treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary end points were investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Key secondary end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of objective response, clinical benefit rate, and quality of life. RESULTS Median PFS was 9.2 months with HT and 14.2 months with T-DM1 (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.97); median follow-up was approximately 14 months in both arms. ORR was 58.0% (95% CI, 45.5% to 69.2%) with HT and 64.2% (95% CI, 51.8% to 74.8%) with T-DM1. T-DM1 had a favorable safety profile versus HT, with fewer grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs; 46.4% v 90.9%), AEs leading to treatment discontinuations (7.2% v 34.8%), [corrected] and serious AEs (20.3% v 25.8%). Preliminary OS results were similar between treatment arms; median follow-up was approximately 23 months in both arms. CONCLUSION In this randomized phase II study, first-line treatment with T-DM1 for patients with HER2-positive MBC provided a significant improvement in PFS, with a favorable safety profile, versus HT.