Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards pB+Trees in the Field: Implementation Choices and Performance

In recent years the relative speed difference between CPUs and main-memory has become so great that many applications, including database management systems, spend much of their time waiting for data to be delivered from mainmemory. In particular, B + -trees have been shown to utilize cache memory poorly, triggering the development of many cache-conscious indices. While early studies of cacheconscious indices used simulation models, the trend has recently swung towards performance measurements on actual computer architectures. This paper is part of this trend towards the deployment of cache-conscious structures “in the fi eld”. We study the performance of the pB+-tree on the Itanium 2 processor, focusing on various implementation choices and their effect on performance.
Hematologic Manifestations of Long‐Term Valproate Therapy

Sixty patients receiving long‐term valproate (VPA) monotherapy were studied for hematologic side effects. All were patients in a long‐term care facility and ranged in age from 2 to 29 years (mean 14.6 years). Twenty developed at least one prominent hematologic abnormality. Thrombocytopenia and macrocytosis were the most common findings. In patients with macrocytosis, platelet counts were inversely related to VPA levels. Serum B12 levels were increased in 51 of the patients. In 12 patients with macrocytosis who were extensively studied, no etiology for the increased MCV could be identified. An increased number of Pelger‐Huet‐like cells was noted in these 12 patients. None of the patients demonstrated hepatic dysfunction. Hematologic toxicity was never severe enough to discontinue therapy and always responded to small decrements in VPA therapy. VPA was discontinued in only 1 patient, owing to poor seizure control.
Properties of Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films Deposited on Polymer Substrates

Indium tin oxide thin films with different thicknesses were deposited on polymer substrates, held at room temperature, using electron beam evaporation. The dependence of structural properties, optical properties and room temperature resistivity on the indium tin oxide film thickness was studied. X-ray diffraction illustrates the amorphous structure for all the indium tin oxide prepared films. The high roughness of the polymer substrate affects the properties of indium tin oxide films. The transmittance, the resistivity, and the optical band gap decrease with increasing the film thickness while the refractive index increases. The present indium tin oxide films are amorphous, transparent and have relatively low resistivity. These properties are suitable as transparent electrode for organic light-emitting diodes, touch screens, and in piezoelectric applications.
Test sequence optimisation: an intelligent approach via cuckoo search

Exhaustive testing is never the appropriate approach in software testing as this violates the principle of cost effectiveness in software development as well as puts time and other resources at stake. This explains the need to optimise the process of software testing. The present paper gives an overview of cuckoo search algorithm and its role in software coverage optimisation. This paper proposes an algorithm to generate optimised test sequence(s), which obtains 100% software coverage based on cuckoo search.
Socioeconomic status and COPD among low- and middle-income countries

Background Socioeconomic status (SES) is a strong social determinant of health. There remains a limited understanding of the association between SES and COPD prevalence among low- and middle-income countries where the majority of COPD-related morbidity and mortality occurs. We examined the association between SES and COPD prevalence using data collected in Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Methods We compiled lung function, demographic, and SES data from three population-based studies for 11,042 participants aged 35–95 years. We used multivariable alternating logistic regressions to study the association between COPD prevalence and SES indicators adjusted for age, sex, self-reported daily smoking, and biomass fuel smoke exposure. Principal component analysis was performed on monthly household income, household size, and education to create a composite SES index. Results Overall COPD prevalence was 9.2%, ranging from 1.7% to 15.4% across sites. The adjusted odds ratio of having COPD was lower for people who completed secondary school (odds ratio [OR] =0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.98) and lower with higher monthly household income (OR =0.96 per category, 95% CI 0.93–0.99). When combining SES factors into a composite index, we found that the odds of having COPD was greater with lower SES (interquartile OR =1.23, 95% CI 1.05–1.43) even after controlling for subject-specific factors and environmental exposures. Conclusion In this analysis of multiple population-based studies, lower education, lower household income, and lower composite SES index were associated with COPD. Since household income may be underestimated in population studies, adding household size and education into a composite index may provide a better surrogate for SES.
Shotgun Lipidomics Identifies a Paired Rule for the Presence of Isomeric Ether Phospholipid Molecular Species

Background Ether phospholipids are abundant membrane constituents present in electrically active tissues (e.g., heart and the brain) that play important roles in cellular function. Alterations of ether phospholipid molecular species contents are associated with a number of genetic disorders and human diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings Herein, the power of shotgun lipidomics, in combination with high mass accuracy/high resolution mass spectrometry, was explored to identify a paired rule for the presence of isomeric ether phospholipid molecular species in cellular lipidomes. The rule predicts that if an ether phospholipid A′-B is present in a lipidome, its isomeric counterpart B′-A is also present (where the ′ represents an ether linkage). The biochemical basis of this rule results from the fact that the enzymes which participate in either the sequential oxidation of aliphatic alcohols to fatty acids, or the reduction of long chain fatty acids to aliphatic alcohols (metabolic precursors of ether lipid synthesis), are not entirely selective with respect to acyl chain length or degree of unsaturation. Moreover, the enzymatic selectivity for the incorporation of different aliphatic chains into the obligatory precursor of ether lipids (i.e., 1-O-alkyl-glycero-3-phosphate) is also limited. Conclusions/Significance This intrinsic amplification of the number of lipid molecular species present in biological membranes predicted by this rule and demonstrated in this study greatly expands the number of ether lipid molecular species present in cellular lipidomes. Application of this rule to mass spectrometric analyses provides predictive clues to the presence of specific molecular species and greatly expands the number of identifiable and quantifiable ether lipid species present in biological samples. Through appropriate alterations in the database, use of the paired rule increases the number of identifiable metabolites in metabolic networks, thereby facilitating identification of biomarkers presaging disease states.
Controle do estresse e hipertensão arterial sistêmica Stress management training and systemic hypertension

One specific type of stress management training developed to be used as a concurrent treatment for systemic hypertension, has been the object of studies that attempt to evaluate its efficacy, especially in regard to changes in life style, so fundamental for treatment adherence of chronic illnesses, such as hypertension. It was found that cardiovascular reactivity of borderline hypertensives, during moments of interpersonal stress, may vary as a function of the present stress level and personality traits. Research indicates that stress management training is effective in the modulation of cardiovascular reactivity in moments of emotional stress and that it may help not only in the adherence to treatment, but also in the emotional and cognitive restructuring that facilitates the change to stable and long-lasting healthy life style, necessary to the self-care attitude needed in the management of chronic diseases. This modality of treatment involves a multiprofessional treatment which includes brief focus cognitive psychotherapy, directed at the acquisition of coping strategies, plus nutritional and physical exercise guidance, relaxation and deep breathing exercises.
Mental Imagery: rehabilitation through simulation

Mental Imagery can be defined both as a reproduction of cognitive contents of the mind not actually present to sensorial perception, and as the re-elaboration and interpretation of the original perceived data. Motor and athletic rehabilitation and recovery after injuries or traumas, especially in sports, but more generally in physiotherapeutic practice, have shown to be enhanced by mental imagery processes. Mental imagery has been assumed to be essential for the acquisition of motor skills, but to also be relevant in the involutive phases of adult cognition. In fact, empirical studies indicate that different components of imagery are selectively affected by aging. This review discusses the neuropsychological bases of mental imagery, focusing on its possible applications to the rehabilitation of deficits from a variety of different causes, including mental deterioration in the elderly. Simulation techniques, and how they might assist in the accurate assessment of mental imagery skills in order to design optimal learning and/or training interventions, or rehabilitation of motor gestures, are also presented.
Pitfalls in the diagnosis of patients with a partial dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency.

BACKGROUND Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) catalyzes the degradation of thymine, uracil, and the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil. To identify patients suffering from complete or partial DPD deficiency and to identify pitfalls that can preclude the proper diagnosis of patients with partial DPD deficiency, a sensitive and accurate assay is necessary. METHODS The activity of DPD was measured using [4-(14)C]thymine followed by separation of substrate and products with reversed-phase HPLC with on-line detection of the radioactivity. RESULTS Complete baseline separation of radiolabeled thymine and all degradation products was achieved within 15 min. The detection limit for dihydrothymine was 0. 4 pmol. In lymphocytes, the DPD activity deviated from linearity at low protein concentrations (<0.2 g/L). Profoundly decreased activity of DPD was detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM cells) of two tumor patients when measured at low protein concentrations. Low DPD activity comparable to that observed in obligate heterozygotes was initially detected in PBM cells, containing substantial amounts of myeloid cells, from a patient suffering from 5-fluorouracil toxicity. However, after the patient experienced full clinical recovery, normal DPD activity was observed in the PBM cells. No significant differences in DPD activity were observed between exponentially growing fibroblasts and those at confluence. The range of DPD activities of obligate heterozygotes overlaps the range of DPD activities of controls. CONCLUSIONS The low activity of DPD measured in PBM cells containing myeloid cells or that measured at a low protein concentration in the assay mixture is not indicative of heterozygosity for a mutant DPD allele. Although fibroblasts are suitable to establish a complete deficiency of DPD, unambiguous detection of heterozygotes is not possible.
Trends in Behaviour Therapy: Progression or Regression?

Trends in behaviour therapy are considered from the advent of cognitive behaviour modification to the more recently suggested emphases on affective and unconscious processes. The thrust towards integrating different schools of psychotherapy is also briefly reviewed. The gains and losses associated with the trends are discussed. Some suggestions for the future are offered with respect to potentially profitable directions for behaviourally orientated researchers, practitioners and teachers to follow. A general theme of the paper is that behaviour therapy appears to be fractionating at an accelerating rate, and whilst this carries the potential for some very significant advances, it also carries the potential for destroying the unique contribution of the behavioural approach.
Analysing globular cluster observations: Models and analysis tools for Lick/IDS indices

We have extended our evolutionary synthesis code, galev, to include Lick/IDS absorption-line indices for both simple and composite stellar population models (star clusters and galaxies), using polynomial fitting functions. We present a mathematically advanced Lick index analysis tool ( LINO ) for the determination of the ages and metallicities of globular clusters (CGs). An extensive grid of galev models for the evolution of star clusters at various metallicities over a Hubble time is compared to observed sets of Lick indices of varying completeness and precision. A dedicated $\chi^2$-minimisation procedure selects the best model including $1 \sigma$ uncertainties on age and metallicity. We discuss the age and metallicity sensitivities of individual indices and show that these sensitivities themselves depend on age and metallicity; thus, we extend Worthey's (1994) concept of a “metallicity sensitivity parameter” for an old stellar population at solar metallicity to younger clusters of different metallicities. We find that indices at low metallicity are generally more age sensitive than at high metallicity. Our aim is to provide a robust and reliable tool for the interpretation of star-cluster spectra becoming available from 10 m class telescopes in a large variety of galaxies – metal-rich & metal-poor, starburst, post-burst, and dynamically young. We test our analysis tool using observations from various authors for Galactic and M 31 GCs, for which reliable age and metallicity determinations are available in the literature, and discuss to what extent the observational availability of various subsets of Lick indices affects the results. For M 31 GCs, we discuss the influence of non-solar abundance ratios on our results. All models are accessible from our website, http://www.astro. physik.uni-goettingen.de/~galev/
Redox-sensitive transcription factors play a significant role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which is associated with significant morbidity. Redox sensitive transcription factors including NF-κB, HIF, AP-1, and Nrf2 are intimately involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The treatment of this disease is limited by the elusive nature of the pathogenesis of RA. NF-κB is crucial for the maturation of immune cells as well as production of TNFα and MMPs, which escalate RA. HIF is essential for activation of inflammatory cells, angiogenesis and pannus formation in RA. AP-1 regulates cytokine and MMP production as well as synovial hyperplasia which are key processes in RA. Nrf2 is involved with chondrogenesis, osteoblastogenesis, prostaglandin secretion and ROS production in RA. Targeting two or more of these transcription factors may result in increased efficacy than either therapy in isolation. This review will highlight the control specific mediators on these transcription factors, the subsequent effect of these transcription factors once activated, and then mesh this with the pathogenesis of RA. The elucidation of key transcription factor regulation in the pathogenesis of RA may highlight the novel therapy interventions which may prove to have a greater efficacy than those therapies currently available.
Disgust implicated in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Psychiatric classificatory systems consider obsessions and compulsions as forms of anxiety disorder. However, the neurology of diseases associated with obsessive–compulsive symptoms suggests the involvement of fronto–striatal regions likely to be involved in the mediation of the emotion of disgust, suggesting that dysfunctions of disgust should be considered alongside anxiety in the pathogenesis of obsessive–compulsive behaviours. We therefore tested recognition of facial expressions of basic emotions (including disgust) by groups of participants with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS) with and without co–present obsessive–compulsive behaviours (GTS with OCB; GTS without OCB). A group of people suffering from panic disorder and generalized anxiety were also included in the study. Both groups with obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCD; GTS with OCB) showed impaired recognition of facial expressions of disgust. Such problems were not evident in participants with panic disorder and generalized anxiety, or for participants with GTS without obsessions or compulsions, indicating that the deficit is closely related to the presence of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Participants with OCD were able to assign words to emotion categories without difficulty, showing that their problem with disgust is linked to a failure to recognize this emotion in others and not a comprehension or response criterion effect. Impaired recognition of disgust is consistent with the neurology of OCD and with the idea that abnormal experience of disgust may be involved in the genesis of obsessions and compulsions.
Fungal endocarditis in paediatrics: a review of 192 cases (1971–2016)

Abstract Background The aims of this article were to review the published literature on fungal endocarditis in children and to discuss the aetiology and diagnosis, with emphasis on non-invasive methods and various treatment regimes. Methods We systematically reviewed published cases and case series of fungal endocarditis in children. We searched the literature, including PubMed and individual references for publications of original articles, single cases, or case series of paediatric fungal endocarditis, with the following keywords: “fungal endocarditis”, “neonates”, “infants”, “child”, and “cardiac vegetation”. Results There have been 192 documented cases of fungal endocarditis in paediatrics. The highest number of cases was reported in infants (93/192, 48%) including 60 in neonates. Of the neonatal cases, 57 were premature with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and median birth weight of 860 g. Overall, 120 yeast – fungus that grows as a single cell – infections and 43 mould – fungus that grows in multicellular filaments, hyphae – infections were reported. With increasing age, there was an increased infection rate with moulds. All the yeast infections were detected by blood culture. In cases with mould infection, diagnosis was mainly established by culture or histology of emboli or infected valves after invasive surgical procedures. There have been a few recent cases of successful early diagnosis by non-invasive methods such as blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for moulds. The overall mortality for paediatric fungal endocarditis was 56.25%. The most important cause of death was cardiac complications due to heart failure. Among the various treatment regimens used, none of them was significantly associated with better outcome. Conclusions Non-invasive methods such as PCR tests can be used to improve the chances of detecting and identifying the aetiological agent in a timely manner. Delays in the diagnosis of these infections may result in high mortality and morbidity. No significant difference was noted between combined surgical and medical therapy over exclusively combined medical therapy.
Benefits of high speed interconnects to cluster file systems: a case study with Lustre

Cluster file systems and storage area networks (SAN) make use of network IO to achieve higher IO bandwidth. Effective integration of networking mechanisms is important to their performance. In this paper, we perform an evaluation of a popular cluster file system, Lustre, over two of the leading high speed cluster interconnects: InfiniBand and Quadrics. Our evaluation is performed with both sequential IO and parallel IO benchmarks in order to explore the capacity of Lustre under different communication characteristics. Experimental results show that direct implementations of Lustre over both interconnects can improve its performance, compared to an IP emulation over InfiniBand (IPoIB). The performance of Lustre over Quadrics is comparable to that of Lustre over InfiniBand with the platforms we have. Latest InfiniBand products can embrace latest technologies, such as PCI-Express and DDR, and provide higher capacity. Our results show that over a Lustre file system with two object storage fervers (OSSs), InfiniBand with PCI-Express technology can improve Lustre write performance by 24%. Furthermore, our experimental results indicate that Lustre meta-data operations do not scale with an increasing number of OSSs, in spite of using high performance interconnects
Comparative Genomic Hybridizations of Entamoeba Strains Reveal Unique Genetic Fingerprints That Correlate with Virulence

ABSTRACT Variable phenotypes have been identified for Entamoeba species. Entamoeba histolytica is invasive and causes colitis and liver abscesses but only in ∼10% of infected individuals; 90% remain asymptomatically colonized. Entamoeba dispar, a closely related species, is avirulent. To determine the extent of genetic diversity among Entamoeba isolates and potential genotype-phenotype correlations, we have developed an E. histolytica genomic DNA microarray and used it to genotype strains of E. histolytica and E. dispar. On the basis of the identification of divergent genetic loci, all strains had unique genetic fingerprints. Comparison of divergent genetic regions allowed us to distinguish between E. histolytica and E. dispar, identify novel genetic regions usable for strain and species typing, and identify a number of genes restricted to virulent strains. Among the four E. histolytica strains, a strain with attenuated virulence was the most divergent and phylogenetically distinct strain, raising the intriguing possibility that genetic subtypes of E. histolytica may be partially responsible for the observed variability in clinical outcomes. This microarray-based genotyping assay can readily be applied to the study of E. histolytica clinical isolates to determine genetic diversity and potential genotypic-phenotypic associations.
A novel timing synchronization method for U-OFDM-based visible light communication

Unipolar orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (U-OFDM) is compatible with optical intensity modulation and attract attention recently. Existing synchronization methods cannot be used directly or do not perform well in U-OFDM systems because U-OFDM signals are unipolar. Therefore, a novel synchronization algorithm, i.e., negative mirror image (NMI) algorithm, is proposed, where the training sequence is re-designed based on the characteristics of U-OFDM. Analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed NMI method has excellent synchronization performance for the U-OFDM systems.