Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nationwide Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of Huntington’s Disease in Taiwan

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and medical expenses of Huntington’s disease (HD) in Taiwan. Methods: Cases of HD were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database with corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 333.4 from January 2000 to December 2007. Age- and sex-specific incidences were estimated by dividing the incidence number by population data obtained from the Department of Statistics, Ministry of the Interior. Results: During the study period, 182 cases were identified, including 81 males and 101 females. The average annual incidence rate was 0.1 per 100,000. The age-specific incidence peaked in the 40–49 age group in men (0.23 per 100,000 per year) and in the 50–59 age group in women (0.24 per 100,000 per year). The incidence rate was only 0.01 per 100,000 per year in those under 20 years of age. The prevalence was 0.42 per 100,000 in 2007. Conclusions: This is the first population-based epidemiologic study on HD in Taiwan. The incidence rates and prevalence were much lower than those of Caucasians although the age distribution was similar.
The Future of the Slovenian Welfare State and Challenges to Solidarity By

Changing demographic, social, political and economic contexts have strained European welfare states. Social provision in Slovenia had been undergoing gradual development towards a post-socialist model. The country faced a pronounced recession after the 2008 economic crisis, with a second recession in 2012 (along with Greece and Italy). This was further exacerbated by political instability with the restructuring of both leftand right-wing political coalitions. These pressures, coupled with an emphasis on austerity, have led to structural welfare system reforms resulting in a step-change in the reform process as well as societal tensions reflected by public unrest and opposition to the reforms. The present paper will consider future directions of the Slovenian welfare system, using data from attitude surveys, analyses of policy documents and other sources to examine the country’s post-crisis policies and future welfare state provisions. These issues will be related to recent policy changes in welfare, based on different policy developments, such as social investment and welfare expansion, retrenchment and cost containment (van Kersberger et al., 2014; Hemerijck, 2013; Vandenbroucke & Vleminickx, 2011; Cantillon, 2011). On the basis of peoples’ attitudes and future aspirations, this paper will also reflect on which issues and perspectives have the greatest support and are, therefore, the most likely to shape the future of the Slovenian welfare state in a context of political mistrust, rising inequality, labour-market dualisation, an ageing population and trends towards re-familialisation.
A Longitudinal Study

Complicated grief reactions are relatively common following spousal bereavement. Old age spousal loss qualifies as a possible traumatic stressor, however, PTSD as a possible complication of the loss has rarely been explored in this population. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of PTSD in elderly bereaved people across the first 18 months of bereavement. Additionally, risk factors for the prediction of bereavement outcome in relation to four domains of the bereavement process were investigated. Data was collected via self-report questionnaires measuring traumatic stress (HTQ), coping style (CSQ), crisis support (CSS), and personality (e.g. NEO-FFI). Elderly bereaved people (N=296, Mean=73 years) participated at two, six, 13, and 18 months post loss. The comparison group consisted of married elderly people who had experienced at least one significant loss (N=276, Mean=70 years). The frequency of PTSD within the spousal bereaved group was high (16%) compared to the comparison group (4%) and remained stable across time. Each individual domain included in the current analysis was a predictor of PTSD 18 months post loss. Most predictors remained stable across time. A hierarchical regression analysis of the four domains predicted 49% of the variance, indicating a considerable overlap between the domains. Only one predictor, early posttraumatic distress, remained significant. The results confirm that loss of a spouse in old age is traumatic for some and that the effects of the loss remain over the first 18 months post loss. The results therefore underline the importance of further investigation into PTSD in the elderly bereaved.
Reading the Readers: Modelling Complex Humanities Processes to Build Cognitive Systems

The ink and stylus tablets discovered at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda are a unique resource for scholars of ancient history. However, the stylus tablets have proved particularly difficult to read. This paper describes the initial stages in the development of a computer system designed to aid historians in the reading of the stylus tablets. A detailed investigation was undertaken, using Knowledge Elicitation techniques borrowed from Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Psychology, and Computational Linguistics, to elicit the processes experts use whilst reading an ancient text. The resulting model was used as the basis of a computer architecture to construct a system which takes in images of the tablets and outputs plausible interpretations of the documents. It is demonstrated that using Knowledge Elicitation techniques can further the understanding of complex processes in the humanities, and that these techniques can provide an underlying structure for the basis of a computer system that replicates that process. As such it provides significant insight into how experts work in the humanities, whilst providing the means to develop tools to assist them in their complex task.
Combined cervical swab and urine specimens for PCR diagnosis of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Objectives: Sampling of both the cervix and urine increases the chance of detection of Chlamydia trachomatis compared with sampling either site alone. We determined the effect of combining urine and cervical swab specimens in the clinic setting on the sensitivity of C trachomatis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Methods: For each of 100 women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic with high likelihood of genital C trachomatis infection, one endocervical swab was placed in transport medium and another in one of two aliquots of first void urine. Four PCR assays per patient (urine + swab, swab alone, and urine alone both pre- and post-freeze-thawing) were processed by automated C trachomatis PCR (Cobas, Amplicor). An inhibition control was included with each assay to identify specimens containing PCR inhibitors. Results: 71% of women were Amplicor C trachomatis PCR positive (according to the results of at least one specimen). PCR test results were concordant for 95/100 patients, and of the five discordant result sets there was only one major discrepancy. Inhibitors of PCR were present in 22/400 specimens from 20 patients, and 16/22 were cervical swabs (p<0.001). Conclusions: Combining a cervical swab with a urine specimen is acceptable for PCR testing for genital C trachomatis infection, and has the potential to increase further the cost effectiveness of DNA based screening for C trachomatis genital infection.
4G/4G Genotype of PAI-1 Gene Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Stroke in Elderly

Background and Purpose— Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis, and high levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The 4G/5G polymorphism affects PAI-1 gene transcription with lower levels of plasma PAI-1 in the presence of the 5G allele. We investigated whether plasma PAI-1 and 4G/5G genotype would predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events at old age. Methods— Relative risks for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality were obtained in strata of PAI-1 activity and 4G/5G genotype in a population-based study of 637 Dutch elderly with 7.8 years of follow-up. Results— The 4G/4G genotype was associated with a decreased risk of stroke (relative risk [RR]=0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.9), transient ischemic attack (RR=0.3; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.8), and cardiovascular mortality (RR=0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 1.0) after adjustment for age, sex, and time of blood sampling. 4G carriers had an increased risk of myocardial infarction, but this was not statistically significant. Subjects with high plasma PAI-1 activity were at increased risk of stroke (RR=3.3 in highest versus lowest tertile; 95% CI, 1.5 to 7.1), cardiovascular mortality (RR=2.3; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.4), and all-cause mortality (RR=1.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1). Conclusions— Our results provide support for a protective effect of the 4G allele against stroke, which is notable given the direct relationship between stroke and PAI-1 activity. We hypothesize that a local increase in tissue PAI-1 associated with the 4G allele may stabilize plaques, thereby reducing the risk of cerebrovascular disease.
Annual Research Review: Transdiagnostic neuroscience of child and adolescent mental disorders – differentiating decision making in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, depression, and anxiety

Background Ineffective decision making is a major source of everyday functional impairment and reduced quality of life for young people with mental disorders. However, very little is known about what distinguishes decision making by individuals with different disorders or the neuropsychological processes or brain systems underlying these. This is the focus of the current review. Scope and methodology We first propose a neuroeconomic model of the decision‐making process with separate stages for the prechoice evaluation of expected utility of future options; choice execution and postchoice management; the appraisal of outcome against expectation; and the updating of value estimates to guide future decisions. According to the proposed model, decision making is mediated by neuropsychological processes operating within three domains: (a) self‐referential processes involved in autobiographical reflection on past, and prospection about future, experiences; (b) executive functions, such as working memory, inhibition, and planning, that regulate the implementation of decisions; and (c) processes involved in value estimation and outcome appraisal and learning. These processes are underpinned by the interplay of multiple brain networks, especially medial and lateralized cortical components of the default mode network, dorsal corticostriatal circuits underpinning higher order cognitive and behavioral control, and ventral frontostriatal circuits, connecting to brain regions implicated in emotion processing, that control valuation and learning processes. Findings and conclusion Based on clinical insights and considering each of the decision‐making stages in turn, we outline disorder‐specific hypotheses about impaired decision making in four childhood disorders: attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), depression, and anxiety. We hypothesize that decision making in ADHD is deficient (i.e. inefficient, insufficiently reflective, and inconsistent) and impulsive (biased toward immediate over delayed alternatives). In CD, it is reckless and insensitive to negative consequences. In depression, it is disengaged, perseverative, and pessimistic, while in anxiety, it is hesitant, risk‐averse, and self‐deprecating. A survey of current empirical indications related to these disorder‐specific hypotheses highlights the limited and fragmentary nature of the evidence base and illustrates the need for a major research initiative in decision making in childhood disorders. The final section highlights a number of important additional general themes that need to be considered in future research.
High-Density Genetic Linkage Maps of Phytophthora infestans Reveal Trisomic Progeny and Chromosomal Rearrangements

Detailed analysis of the inheritance of molecular markers was performed in the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Linkage analysis in the sexual progeny of two Dutch field isolates (cross 71) resulted in a high-density map containing 508 markers on 13 major and 10 minor linkage groups. The map showed strong clustering of markers, particularly of markers originating from one parent, and dissimilarity between the parental isolates on linkage group III in the vicinity of the mating-type locus, indicating a chromosomal translocation. A second genetic map, constructed by linkage analysis in sexual progeny of two Mexican isolates (cross 68), contained 363 markers and is thus less dense than the cross 71 map. For some linkage groups the two independent linkage maps could be aligned, but sometimes markers appeared to be in a different order, or not linked at all, indicating chromosomal rearrangements between genotypes. Graphical genotyping showed that some progeny contained three copies of a homologous linkage group. This trisomy was found for several linkage groups in both crosses. Together, these analyses suggest a genome with a high degree of flexibility, which may have implications for evolution of new races and resistance development to crop protection agents.
Glycation of Human Cortical and Cancellous Bone Captures Differences in the Formation of Maillard Reaction Products between Glucose and Ribose

To better understand some aspects of bone matrix glycation, we used an in vitro glycation approach. Within two weeks, our glycation procedures led to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) at the levels that corresponded to approx. 25–30 years of the natural in vivo glycation. Cortical and cancellous bones from human tibias were glycated in vitro using either glucose (glucosylation) or ribose (ribosylation). Both glucosylation and ribosylation led to the formation of higher levels of AGEs and pentosidine (PEN) in cancellous than cortical bone dissected from all tested donors (young, middle-age and elderly men and women). More efficient glycation of bone matrix proteins in cancellous bone most likely depended on the higher porosity of this tissue, which facilitated better accessibility of the sugars to the matrix proteins. Notably, glycation of cortical bone from older donors led to much higher AGEs levels as compared to young donors. Such efficient in vitro glycation of older cortical bone could result from aging-related increase in porosity caused by the loss of mineral content. In addition, more pronounced glycation in vivo would be driven by elevated oxidation processes. Interestingly, the levels of PEN formation differed pronouncedly between glucosylation and ribosylation. Ribosylation generated very high levels of PEN (approx. 6- vs. 2.5-fold higher PEN level than in glucosylated samples). Kinetic studies of AGEs and PEN formation in human cortical and cancellous bone matrix confirmed higher accumulation of fluorescent crosslinks for ribosylation. Our results suggest that in vitro glycation of bone using glucose leads to the formation of lower levels of AGEs including PEN, whereas ribosylation appears to support a pathway toward PEN formation. Our studies may help to understand differences in the progression of bone pathologies related to protein glycation by different sugars, and raise awareness for excessive sugar supplementation in food and drinks.
Wireless power transmission based on resonant electrical coupling

A novel technique for wirelessly transferring power over non-negligible distances is proposed and discussed in this document. In this technique the transfer of power is based on electrical coupling and resonance. In contrast, other systems proposed in the literature in the same class tend to make use of magnetic coupling. With prototypes measuring 16 by 16 cm by 3.7 cm at most it was possible to achieve a power efficiency of approximately 40% at a distance of 5 meters. These preliminary results indicate that resonant electrical coupling can be used for wireless power transmission (WPT) purposes.
Multiple random walk and its application in content-based image retrieval

In this paper, we propose a transductive learning method for content-based image retrieval: Multiple Random Walk (MRW). Its basic idea is to construct two generative models by means of Markov random walks, one for images relevant to the query concept and the other for the irrelevant ones. The goal is to obtain the likelihood functions of both classes. Firstly, MRW generates two random walks with virtual absorbing boundaries, and uses the absorbing probabilities as the initial estimation of the likelihood functions. Then it refines the two random walks through an EM-like iterative procedure in order to get more accurate estimation of the likelihood functions. Class priors are also obtained in this procedure. Finally, MRW ranks all the unlabeled images in the database according to their posterior probabilities of being relevant. By using both labeled and unlabeled data, MRW can be seen as a transductive learning method, which has been demonstrated to outperform inductive ones by previous research work. Systematic experiments on a general-purpose image database consisting of 5,000 Corel images demonstrate the superiority of MRW over state-of-the-art techniques.
Optimization of Culture Conditions for Production of the Anti-Leukemic Glutaminase Free L-Asparaginase by Newly Isolated Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 Using Response Surface Methodology

Among the antitumor drugs, bacterial enzyme L-asparaginase has been employed as the most effective chemotherapeutic agent in pediatric oncotherapy especially for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Glutaminase free L-asparaginase producing actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples collected from Egypt. Among them, a potential culture, strain NEAE-119, was selected and identified on the basis of morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical properties together with 16S rRNA sequence as Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 and sequencing product (1509 bp) was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number KJ200342. The optimization of different process parameters for L-asparaginase production by Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 using Plackett-Burman experimental design and response surface methodology was carried out. Fifteen variables (temperature, pH, incubation time, inoculum size, inoculum age, agitation speed, dextrose, starch, L-asparagine, KNO3, yeast extract, K2HPO4, MgSO4·7H2O, NaCl, and FeSO4·7H2O) were screened using Plackett-Burman experimental design. The most positive significant independent variables affecting enzyme production (temperature, inoculum age, and agitation speed) were further optimized by the face-centered central composite design-response surface methodology.
A Major Latex-Like Protein Is a Key Factor in Crop Contamination by Persistent Organic Pollutants1[W][OA]

A latex-like protein binds and transports polychlorinated biphenyls into the aerial part of plants. This is the first report, to our knowledge, to reveal important factors by which members of the Cucurbitaceae family, such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), melon (Cucumis melo), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), squash (C. pepo), and zucchini (C. pepo), are selectively polluted with highly toxic hydrophobic contaminants, including organochlorine insecticides and dioxins. Xylem sap of C. pepo ssp. pepo, which is a high accumulator of hydrophobic compounds, solubilized the hydrophobic compound pyrene into the aqueous phase via some protein(s). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of xylem sap of two C. pepo subspecies revealed that the amount of 17-kD proteins in C. pepo ssp. pepo was larger than that in C. pepo ssp. ovifera, a low accumulator, suggesting that these proteins may be related to the translocation of hydrophobic compounds. The protein bands at 17 kD contained major latex-like proteins (MLPs), and the corresponding genes MLP-PG1, MLP-GR1, and MLP-GR3 were cloned from the C. pepo cultivars Patty Green and Gold Rush. Expression of the MLP-GR3 gene in C. pepo cultivars was positively correlated with the band intensity of 17-kD proteins and bioconcentration factors toward dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Recombinant MLP-GR3 bound polychlorinated biphenyls immobilized on magnetic beads, whereas recombinant MLP-PG1 and MLP-GR1 did not. These results indicate that the high expression of MLP-GR3 in C. pepo ssp. pepo plants and the existence of MLP-GR3 in their xylem sap are related to the efficient translocation of hydrophobic contaminants. These findings should be useful for decreasing the contamination of fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family as well as the phytoremediation of hydrophobic contaminants.
Expression of wild-type PtrIAA14.1, a poplar Aux/IAA gene causes morphological changes in Arabidopsis

Aux/IAA proteins are transcriptional repressors that control auxin signaling by interacting with auxin response factors (ARFs). So far all of the identified Aux/IAA mutants with auxin-related phenotypes in Arabidopsis and rice (Oryza sativa) are dominant gain-of-function mutants, with mutations in Domain II that affected stability of the corresponding Aux/IAA proteins. On the other hand, morphological changes were observed in knock-down mutants of Aux/IAA genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), suggesting that functions of Aux/IAA proteins may be specific for certain plant species. We report here the characterization of PtrIAA14.1, a poplar (Populus trichocarpa) homolog of IAA7. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PtrIAA14.1 is a classic Aux/IAA protein. It contains four conserved domains with the repressor motif in Domain I, the degron in Domain II, and the conserved amino acid signatures for protein–protein interactions in Domain III and Domain IV. Protoplast transfection assays showed that PtrIAA14.1 is localized in nucleus. It is unable in the presence of auxin, and it represses auxin response reporter gene expression. Expression of wild-type PtrIAA14.1 in Arabidopsis resulted in auxin-related phenotypes including down-curling leaves, semi-draft with increased number of branches, and greatly reduced fertility, but expression of the Arabidopsis Aux/IAA genes tested remain largely unchanged in the transgenic plants. Protein–protein interaction assays in yeast and protoplasts showed that PtrIAA14.1 interacted with ARF5, but not other ARFs. Consistent with this observation, vascular patterning was altered in the transgenic plants, and the expression of AtHB8 (Arabidopsis thaliana homeobox gene 8) was reduced in transgenic plants.
PROLIFERATION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS‐PRIMED LYMPHOCYTES IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGES FROM LUNG TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Previous reports have described an association between cytomegalovirus infection and increased donorspecific alloreactivity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytes in transplanted lungs and a higher risk of bronchiolitis obliterans due to chronic rejection. We have postulated that during infection, intragraft CMV-specific lymphocytes are activated and release lymphokines that augment cellular rejection. This study deals with an analysis of CMV antigen induced proliferation of 28 BAL lymphocyte and 27 peripheral blood lymphocytes samples from 17 lung transplant patients with or without CMV infection. Kinetic studies of lymphocyte proliferation have shown that CMV infection of the lung allograft is associated with an accelerated response of BAL lymphocytes but not PBL, following in vitro exposure to CMV antigen. These findings indicate an accumulation of primed CMV-specific lymphocytes within the lung allograft during CMV infection. Evidence has also been obtained that primed CMV-specific lymphocytes may persist for months in BAL. We conclude that the CMV antigen induced proliferation assay is useful for studies of CMV infection in transplant patients.