Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atherosclerosis Susceptibility Loci Identified in an Extremely Atherosclerosis‐Resistant Mouse Strain

Background C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice are extremely resistant to atherosclerosis, especially males. To understand the underlying genetic basis, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis on a male F2 (the second generation from an intercross between 2 inbred strains) cohort derived from an intercross between C3H and C57BL/6 (B6) apolipoprotein E–deficient (Apoe−/−) mice. Methods and Results Two hundred forty‐six male F2 mice were started on a Western diet at 8 weeks of age and kept on the diet for 5 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root and fasting plasma lipid levels were measured. One hundred thirty‐four microsatellite markers across the entire genome were genotyped. Four significant QTLs on chromosomes (Chr) 2, 4, 9, and 15 and 4 suggestive loci on Chr1, Chr4, and Chr7 were identified for atherosclerotic lesions. Unexpectedly, the C3H allele was associated with increased lesion formation for 2 of the 4 significant QTLs. Six loci for high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), 6 for non‐HDL cholesterol, and 3 for triglycerides were also identified. The QTL for atherosclerosis on Chr9 replicated Ath29, originally mapped in a female F2 cohort derived from B6 and C3H Apoe−/− mice. This locus coincided with a QTL for HDL, and there was a moderate, but statistically significant, correlation between atherosclerotic lesion sizes and plasma HDL cholesterol levels in F2 mice. Conclusions These data indicate that most atherosclerosis susceptibility loci are distinct from those for plasma lipids except for the Chr9 locus, which exerts effect through interactions with HDL.
Genome-Wide Identification of the MIKC-Type MADS-Box Gene Family in Gossypium hirsutum L. Unravels Their Roles in Flowering

Cotton is one of the major world oil crops. Cottonseed oil meets the increasing demand of fried food, ruminant feed, and renewable bio-fuels. MADS intervening keratin-like and C-terminal (MIKC)-type MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that have crucial roles in various plant developmental processes. Nevertheless, this gene family has not been characterized, nor its functions investigated, in cotton. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of MIKC-type MADS genes in the tetraploid Gossypium hirsutum L. , which is the most widely cultivated cotton species. In total, 110 GhMIKC genes were identified and phylogenetically classified into 13 subfamilies. The Flowering locus C (FLC) subfamily was absent in the Gossypium hirsutum L. genome but is found in Arabidopsis and Vitis vinifera L. Among the genes, 108 were distributed across the 13 A and 12 of the D genome's chromosomes, while two were located in scaffolds. GhMIKCs within subfamilies displayed similar exon/intron characteristics and conserved motif compositions. According to RNA-sequencing, most MIKC genes exhibited high flowering-associated expression profiles. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that some crucial MIKC genes determined the identities of the five flower organs. Furthermore, the overexpression of GhAGL17.9 in Arabidopsis caused an early flowering phenotype. Meanwhile, the expression levels of the flowering-related genes CONSTANS (CO), LEAFY (LFY) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1) were significantly increased in these lines. These results provide useful information for future studies of GhMIKCs' regulation of cotton flowering.
Critical Care Paper Review 2012

Care of patients with sepsis has improved over the last decade. However, in the recent two years, there was no significant progress in the development of a new drug for critically ill patients. In January 2011, it was announced that the worldwide phase 3 randomized trial of a novel anti-Toll-like receptor-4 compound, eritoran tetrasodium, had failed to demonstrate an improvement in the mortality of patients with severe sepsis. In October 2011, Xigris (drotrecogin alfa, a recombinant activated protein C) was withdrawn from the market following the failure of its worldwide trial that had attempted to demonstrate improved outcome. These announcements were disappointing. The recent failure of 2 promising drugs to further reduce mortality suggests that new approaches are needed. A study was published showing that sepsis can be associated to a state of immunosuppression and loss of immune function in human. However, the timing, incidence, and nature of the immunosuppression remain poorly characterized, especially in humans. This emphasizes the need for a better understanding of sepsis as well as new therapeutic strategies. Many clinical experiences of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) treatment for adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, which is caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus, were reported. The use of ECMO in severe respiratory failure, particularly in the treatment of adult ARDS, is occurring more commonly.
Sequential learning in neural networks: A review and a discussion of pseudorehearsal based methods

In this review we explore the topic of sequential learning, where information to be learned and retained arrives in separate episodes over time, in the context of artificial neural networks. Most neural networks handle this kind of task very badly, as new learning completely disrupts information previously learned by the network. This problem, known as "catastrophic forgetting", has received a lot of attention in the literature. We illustrate the catastrophic forgetting effect, and summarise possible solutions. In particular, we review the literature relating to the pseudorehearsal mechanism, which is an effective solution to the catastrophic forgetting problem in back propagation type networks. We then review similar issues of capacity, forgetting, and the use of pseudorehearsal in Hopfield type networks. Finally, we briefly discuss these issues in the context of cognition, and summarise interesting topics for further research.
TRF2 Controls Telomeric Nucleosome Organization in a Cell Cycle Phase-Dependent Manner

Mammalian telomeres stabilize chromosome ends as a result of their assembly into a peculiar form of chromatin comprising a complex of non-histone proteins named shelterin. TRF2, one of the shelterin components, binds to the duplex part of telomeric DNA and is essential to fold the telomeric chromatin into a protective cap. Although most of the human telomeric DNA is organized into tightly spaced nucleosomes, their role in telomere protection and how they interplay with telomere-specific factors in telomere organization is still unclear. In this study we investigated whether TRF2 can regulate nucleosome assembly at telomeres. By means of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Micrococcal Nuclease (MNase) mapping assay, we found that the density of telomeric nucleosomes in human cells was inversely proportional to the dosage of TRF2 at telomeres. This effect was not observed in the G1 phase of the cell cycle but appeared coincident of late or post-replicative events. Moreover, we showed that TRF2 overexpression altered nucleosome spacing at telomeres increasing internucleosomal distance. By means of an in vitro nucleosome assembly system containing purified histones and remodeling factors, we reproduced the short nucleosome spacing found in telomeric chromatin. Importantly, when in vitro assembly was performed in the presence of purified TRF2, nucleosome spacing on a telomeric DNA template increased, in agreement with in vivo MNase mapping. Our results demonstrate that TRF2 negatively regulates the number of nucleosomes at human telomeres by a cell cycle-dependent mechanism that alters internucleosomal distance. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that telomere protection is mediated, at least in part, by the TRF2-dependent regulation of nucleosome organization.
Gastrointestinal manifestations of mitochondrial disorders: a systematic review

Mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) due to respiratory-chain defects or nonrespiratory chain defects are usually multisystem conditions [mitochondrial multiorgan disorder syndrome (MIMODS)] affecting the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system, eyes, ears, endocrine organs, heart, kidneys, bone marrow, lungs, arteries, and also the intestinal tract. Frequent gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of MIDs include poor appetite, gastroesophageal sphincter dysfunction, constipation, dysphagia, vomiting, gastroparesis, GI pseudo-obstruction, diarrhea, or pancreatitis and hepatopathy. Rare GI manifestations of MIDs include dry mouth, paradontosis, tracheoesophageal fistula, stenosis of the duodeno-jejunal junction, atresia or imperforate anus, liver cysts, pancreas lipomatosis, pancreatic cysts, congenital stenosis or obstruction of the GI tract, recurrent bowel perforations with intra-abdominal abscesses, postprandial abdominal pain, diverticulosis, or pneumatosis coli. Diagnosing GI involvement in MIDs is not at variance from diagnosing GI disorders due to other causes. Treatment of mitochondrial GI disease includes noninvasive or invasive measures. Therapy is usually symptomatic. Only for myo-neuro-gastro-intestinal encephalopathy is a causal therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation available. It is concluded that GI manifestations of MIDs are more widespread than so far anticipated and that they must be recognized as early as possible to initiate appropriate diagnostic work-up and avoid any mitochondrion-toxic treatment.
Collective action and the evolution of social norms

I assume multiple types of players--“rational egoists,” as well as “conditional cooperators” and “willing punishers”--in models of nonmarket behavior. I use an indirect evolutionary approach to explain how multiple types of players could survive and flourish in social dilemma situations. Contextual variables that enhance knowledge about past behavior assist in explaining the origin of collective action. Among the important contextual variables are types of goods, types of groups, and rules that groups use to provide and allocate goods. Finally, I reexamine a series of design principles that were derived earlier from an examination of extensive case materials.
Measuring Physical Activity in Older Adults With and Without Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease

We compared subjective reports of physical activity with objective measures of physical fitness including cardiorespiratory capacity, body composition, and physical performance in 146 older adults with and without early stage Alzheimer's disease (ESAD). Respondents reported primarily unstructured and low-intensity activities, including walking and housework. Individuals with ESAD participated in fewer and lower intensity physical activities than those without ESAD. In those without ESAD, housework was related to lower body mass index, leisure walking was related to faster speed on a timed walking test, and participation in sports was related to higher peak oxygen intake. In individuals with ESAD, reported physical activities did not predict any of the physical fitness, body composition, or physical performance measures. We conclude that measures of physical activity require expansion of unstructured and low-intensity activities to improve sensitivity in sedentary populations, especially in older adults with ESAD.
Baby schema modulates the brain reward system in nulliparous women

Ethologist Konrad Lorenz defined the baby schema (“Kindchenschema”) as a set of infantile physical features, such as round face and big eyes, that is perceived as cute and motivates caretaking behavior in the human, with the evolutionary function of enhancing offspring survival. The neural basis of this fundamental altruistic instinct is not well understood. Prior studies reported a pattern of brain response to pictures of children, but did not dissociate the brain response to baby schema from the response to children. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging and controlled manipulation of the baby schema in infant faces, we found that baby schema activates the nucleus accumbens, a key structure of the mesocorticolimbic system mediating reward processing and appetitive motivation, in nulliparous women. Our findings suggest that engagement of the mesocorticolimbic system is the neurophysiologic mechanism by which baby schema promotes human caregiving, regardless of kinship.
Orbital elements, masses and distance of λ Scorpii A and B determined with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer and high-resolution spectroscopy

The triple system HD 158926 (λ Sco) has been observed interferometrically with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer, and the elements of the wide orbit have been determined. These are significantly more accurate than the previous elements found spectroscopically. The inclination of the wide orbit is consistent with the inclination previously found for the orbit of the close companion. The wide orbit also has low eccentricity, suggesting that the three stars were formed at the same time. The brightness ratio between the two B stars was also measured at λ= 442 and 700 nm. The brightness ratio and colour index are consistent with the previous classification of λ Sco A as B1.5 and λ Sco B as B2. Evolutionary models show that the two stars lie on the main sequence. Since they have the same age and luminosity class (IV), the mass–luminosity relation can be used to determine the mass ratio of the two stars: M_B/M_A= 0.76 ± 0.04. The spectroscopic data have been reanalyzed using the interferometric values for P, T, e and ω, leading to revised values for a_1 sin i and the mass function. The individual masses can be found from the mass ratio, the mass function, spectrum synthesis and the requirement that the age of both components must be the same: M_A= 10.4 ± 1.3 and M_B= 8.1 ± 1.0 M_⊙. The masses, angular semimajor axis and the period of the system can be used to determine the dynamical parallax. We find the distance to λ Sco to be 112 ± 5 pc, which is approximately a factor of 2 closer than the Hipparcos value of 216 ± 42 pc.
On Bootstrapping Local Search with Trail-Markers

We study a simple, general framework for search called bootstrap search, which is defined as global search using only a local search procedure along with some memory for learning intermediate subgoals. We present a simple algorithm for bootstrap search, and provide some initial theory on its performance. In our theoretical analysis, we develop a random digraph problem model and use it to make some performance predictions and comparisons. We also use it to provide some techniques for approximating the optimal resource bound on the local search to achieve the best global search. We validate our theoretical results with empirical demonstration on the 15-puzzle. We show how to reduce the cost of a global search by 2 orders of magnitude using bootstrap search. We also demonstrate a natural but not widely recognized connection between search costs and the lognormal distribution.
Randomized trial of sertraline versus venlafaxine XR in major depression: efficacy and discontinuation symptoms.

BACKGROUND The comparative efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) was recently debated. Meta-analyses, based mainly on fluoxetine comparator data, suggest that the SNRI venlafaxine has superior efficacy to SSRIs in treatment of major depression. OBJECTIVE To compare quality of life (QOL), efficacy, safety, and tolerability associated with sertraline and venlafaxine extended release (XR) for treatment of DSM-IV major depression. METHOD This was an 8-week, double-blind, randomized study of sertraline (50-150 mg/day) versus venlafaxine XR (75-225 mg/day), followed by a 2-week taper period. Subjects were recruited from 7 sites in Turkey and 6 sites in Australia between October 2002 and July 2003. The primary outcome measure was the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures included measures of depression (including response and remission), anxiety, pain, safety (e.g., blood pressure), and tolerability (e.g., discontinuation symptoms). RESULTS A total of 163 subjects received study treatment (women, 69%; mean age, 37.0 [SD = 12.9] years). No significant differences in QOL or efficacy were noted between treatments on the primary or secondary endpoints for the total study population or the anxious depression and severe depression subgroups. A priori analyses of symptoms associated with treatment discontinuation demonstrated no difference between treatment groups. However, in post hoc analyses, sertraline was associated with less burden of moderate to severe discontinuation symptoms. Venlafaxine XR was associated with a relative increase in mean blood pressure (supine diastolic blood pressure, -4.4 mm Hg difference at week 8/last observation carried forward). CONCLUSION Sertraline and venlafaxine XR demonstrated comparable effects on QOL and efficacy in treatment of major depression, although sertraline may be associated with a lower symptom burden during treatment discontinuation and a reduced risk of blood pressure increase.
Welfare Workers' Cultural Models of Domestic Violence

ABSTRACT Despite progress in policies and services for domestic violence, service use remains lower than the need suggests. This study, an analysis from a larger project on social service providers, examines welfare workers' shared beliefs about domestic violence. Using a mixed method design utilizing pile sorts (n = 38; 11 child welfare and 29 financial assistance), a survey (n = 57; 24 child welfare and 33 financial assistance), and in-depth interviews (n = 3; two child welfare and one financial assistance)—workers organized their ideas about factors that contribute to domestic violence, rated the factors along key dimensions of meaning (importance, controllability, characteristics of victims or perpetrators, and cause or effect), and shared experiences of their work with domestic violence cases. Financial assistance and child welfare workers organized their beliefs similarly demonstrating consensus on the importance of the factors, and shared beliefs about the factors that were causes and effects of domestic violence. In interviews, child welfare workers emphasized their focus on systems and collaboration. Despite areas of agreement, child welfare and financial assistance workers did not demonstrate consensus on ideas about domestic violence overall. The findings have implications for practice, specifically for improving responses to domestic violence and increasing the use of domestic violence services.
Assessment of Homocysteine Plasma Levels and Insulin Resistance among Obese Women with Anovulatory Infertility

This study was conducted to assess homocysteine plasma level and insulin resistance profile (blood glucose level, plasma insulin level, HOMA-IR, body mass index) among different groups (non-obese, over-weight and obese) of women with anovulatory infertility. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Suez Canal University hospital in the period from December 2011 to August 2012. Total of 150 women with anovulatory infertility were included in this study, divided equally into three groups: non-obese, over-weight and obese. Blood samples were collected in second or third day of menstrual cycle for laboratory work-up. Hormonal profile and insulin resistance profile were determined for each patient. Plasma level of homocysteine was determined using the commercially available ELISA kit. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding homocysteine plasma level, body mass index and HOMA-IR with p-value < 0.001. There was a significant association between homocysteine plasma level and BMI. BMI and serum testosterone level were higher in obese and over-weight women in comparison to non-obese patients. Positive correlations were found between homocysteine plasma level with insulin level, HOMA-IR and LH/FSH ratio. In conclusion, homocysteine plasma level is positively correlated with BMI, insulin resistance, testosterone level and LH/ FSH ratio in over-weight and obese infertile women. This highlights an interaction between high homocysteine level, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia, mimicking polycystic ovarian syndrome that could be responsible for the infertile state in these patients. [Nervana MK, Bayoumy, Mohamed M. El-Shabrawi and Khaled A. Atwa. Assessment of Homocysteine Plasma Levels and Insulin Resistance among Obese Women with Anovulatory Infertility. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):15991604] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 244
Modeling hierarchical and heterogeneous feature representation with conditional random field for visual object detection

We propose a novel flexible and hierarchical object representation using heterogeneous feature descriptors for detection of visual objects in real-world scenarios. Our representation is built on a Conditional Random Field (CRF) model that is able to aggregate local, semi-local and global features in one consistent framework. To improve the discriminative power of our model, we incorporate SVM classifiers into the CRF to learn discriminative unary classifiers for different object parts. Besides parameter learning of unary classifiers, a topology learning that captures the underlying geometrical structure of the target object class also boosts the performance of our model. Evaluation results on both simple UIUC single-scale car dataset and the challenging PASCAL VOC 2007 dataset verify that our model is flexible enough for a wide variety of object classes and robust to appearance variations caused by pose changes, articulation and partial occlusion.
Exhausting battery statistics: understanding the energy demands on mobile handsets

Despite the advances in battery technologies, mobile phones still suffer from severe energy limitations. Modern handsets are rich devices that can support multitasking thanks to their high processing power and provide a wide range of resources such as sensors and network interfaces with different energy demands. There have been multiple attempts to characterise those energy demands; both to save or to allocate energy to the applications on the handset. However, there is still little understanding on how the interdependencies between resources (interdependencies caused by the applications and users' behaviour) affect the battery life. In this paper, we demonstrate the necessity of considering all those dynamics in order to characterise the energy demands of the system accurately. These results indicate that simple algorithmic and rule-based scheduling techniques [7] are not the most appropriate way of managing the resources since their usage can be affected by contextual factors, making necessary to find customised solutions that consider each user's behaviour and handset features.
Does Child Labor Decline with Improving Economic Status?

Between 1993 and 1997, child labor in Vietnam declined by nearly 30 percent while the country’s GDP grew by nearly 9 percent per year on average. Using a simple, nonparametric decomposition, I investigate the relationship between improvements in per capita expenditure and child labor with a panel data set that spans this episode of growth in Vietnam. Improvements in per capita expenditure can explain 80 percent of the decline in child labor that occurs in households whose expenditures improve enough to move out of poverty. This finding suggests a previously undocumented role for economic growth in the amelioration of child labor.