Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpolation Method and Topological Indices: The case of Fullerenes C 12k+4

Polynomial interpolation can be used to obtain closed formulas for topological indices of infinite series of molecular graphs. The method is discussed and its advantages and limitations are pointed out. This is illustrated on fullerenes C12k+4 and four topological indices: the Wiener index, the edge Wiener index, the eccentric connectivity index, and the reverse Wiener index. The results for the edge Wiener index correct earlier computations from the literature. Related formulas are derived for cyclic phenylenes.
Preserved Function of Afferent Parvalbumin-Positive Perisomatic Inhibitory Synapses of Dentate Granule Cells in Rapidly Kindled Mice

Parvalbumin- (PV-) containing basket cells constitute perisomatic GABAergic inhibitory interneurons innervating principal cells at perisomatic area, a strategic location that allows them to efficiently control the output and synchronize oscillatory activity at gamma frequency (30–90 Hz) oscillations. This oscillatory activity can convert into higher frequency epileptiform activity, and therefore could play an important role in the generation of seizures. However, the role of endogenous modulators of seizure activity, such as Neuropeptide Y (NPY), has not been fully explored in at PV input and output synapses. Here, using selective optogenetic activation of PV cells in the hippocampus, we show that seizures, induced by rapid kindling (RK) stimulations, enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from PV cells onto dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells (GC). However, PV-GC synapses did not differ between controls and kindled animals in terms of GABA release probability, short-term plasticity and sensitivity to NPY. Kinetics of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) mediated currents in postsynaptic GC were also unaffected. When challenged by repetitive high-frequency optogenetic stimulations, PV synapses in kindled animals responded with enhanced GABA release onto GC. These results unveil a mechanism that might possibly contribute to the generation of abnormal synchrony and maintenance of epileptic seizures.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Recipient Recommendation in Enterprises Using Communication Graphs and Email Content

We address the task of recipient recommendation for emailing in enterprises. We propose an intuitive and elegant way of modeling the task of recipient recommendation, which uses both the communication graph (i.e., who are most closely connected to the sender) and the content of the email. Additionally, the model can incorporate evidence as prior probabilities. Experiments on two enterprise email collections show that our model achieves very high scores, and that it outperforms two variants that use either the communication graph or the content in isolation.
Motivation Crowding Theory: A Survey of Empirical Evidence

The motivation crowding effect suggests that an external intervention via monetary incentives or punishments may undermine (and under different indentifiable conditions strengthen) intrinsic motivation. As of today, the theoretical \lang1033 possibility of crowding effects is widely accepted among economists. Many of them, however, have been critical about its empirical relevance. This survey shows that such scepticism is unwarranted and that there exists indeed compelling empirical evidence for the existence of crowding out and crowding in. It is based on circumstantial insight, laboratory studies by both psychologists and economists as well as field research by econometric studies. The presented pieces of evidence refer to a wide var iety of areas of the economy and society and have been collected for many different countries and periods. Crowding effects thus are an empirically relevant phenomenon, which can, in specific cases, even dominate the traditional relative price effect.
Type I and Type II Bayesian Methods for Sparse Signal Recovery Using Scale Mixtures

In this paper, we propose a generalized scale mixture family of distributions, namely the Power Exponential Scale Mixture (PESM) family, to model the sparsity inducing priors currently in use for sparse signal recovery (SSR). We show that the successful and popular methods such as LASSO, Reweighted ℓ1 and Reweighted ℓ2 methods can be formulated in an unified manner in a maximum a posteriori (MAP) or Type I Bayesian framework using an appropriate member of the PESM family as the sparsity inducing prior. In addition, exploiting the natural hierarchical framework induced by the PESM family, we utilize these priors in a Type II framework and develop the corresponding EM based estimation algorithms. Some insight into the differences between Type I and Type II methods is provided and of particular interest in the algorithmic development is the Type II variant of the popular and successful reweighted ℓ1 method. Extensive empirical results are provided, and they show that the Type II methods exhibit better support recovery than the corresponding Type I methods.
A 2-Kb One-Time Programmable Memory for UHF Passive RFID Tag IC in a Standard 0.18  $\mu$m CMOS Process

We present a 2-Kb one-time programmable (OTP) memory for UHF RFID applications. The OTP memory cell is based on a two-transistor (2-T) gate-oxide anti-fuse (AF) for low voltage operation. Reliability of memory cell is enhanced by limiting the maximum terminal voltages of thin-oxide and thick-oxide transistors to 1.8 V and 3.3 V, respectively. Improved low power circuit design techniques are used including auto shut-off for program mode and self-timed control for read mode. To further reduce power consumption, we develop a novel power-efficient charge pump. The designed OTP is successfully embedded into a UHF passive RFID tag IC that conforms to the EPCglobal Gen-2 standard. The tag chip was fabricated in a 0.18 m 1-poly 6-metal standard CMOS process with no additional masks. The total area of the chip including the I/Os and bonding pads is 2.3 × 1.5 mm2 where the OTP memory area is only 0.43 × 0.31 mm2. Our tag IC measurement shows that the read and write currents of the OTP memory are 17 μA and 58 μA, respectively.
PERSONALITY PROCESSES AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES Delineating the Structure of Normal and Abnormal Personality: An Integrative Hierarchical Approach

Increasing evidence indicates that normal and abnormal personality can be treated within a single structural framework. However, identification of a single integrated structure of normal and abnormal personality has remained elusive. Here, a constructive replication approach was used to delineate an integrative hierarchical account of the structure of normal and abnormal personality. This hierarchical structure, which integrates many Big Trait models proposed in the literature, replicated across a meta-analysis as well as an empirical study, and across samples of participants as well as measures. The proposed structure resembles previously suggested accounts of personality hierarchy and provides insight into the nature of personality hierarchy more generally. Potential directions for future research on personality and psychopathology are discussed.
Increased incidence of neurological complications in patients receiving an allogenic bone marrow transplantation from alternative donors

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency and type of neurological complications after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with an HLA identical unrelated donor or a mismatched related donor (alternative donors) to the neurological complications after matched sibling BMT for standard and high risk leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. METHODS Retrospective analysis of consecutively treated patients with (a) BMT from alternative donors (n=39), (b) treated with matched sibling BMT for standard risk leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, or aplastic anaemia (n=53), and (c) treated with matched sibling BMT for high risk leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, or aplastic anaemia (n=49). RESULTS A total of 72 neurological complications were found. Most of these occurred within the first 6 months after transplant. Thirty six patients developed a severe neurological complication: 17 Alternative donor patients (44%) by contrast with six standard risk patients (11%) and 13 high risk patients (27%; p<0.005). The most frequent complication was a metabolic encephalopathy occurring in 18% of patients. Most of the encephalopathies were caused by either the transplant procedure, cyclosporin, systemic infections, microangiopathic thrombopathy, or by complications induced by graft versus host disease. Infections of the CNS developed in 9% of patients, cerebrovascular lesions in 3%. CONCLUSIONS Severe neurological complications are more frequent after BMT from alternative donors. This is mainly due to increased treatment related morbidity and to more profound immunosuppression after BMT from alternative donors.
Evaluation of the role of black carbon in attenuating bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from field‐contaminated sediments

The significance of black carbon (BC) for the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was examined by using historically contaminated intact sediment cores in laboratory exposure experiments with the deposit‐feeding amphipod Monoporeia affinis. Log values of amphipod biota–sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) were significantly related to log BC, whereas log BSAFs were related to log octanol–water partition coefficients only in background sediments containing less BC. In the background sediments, the BSAF for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was 1 to 2 for phenanthrene, with lower values for more hydrophobic PAHs, indicating an increase in nonequilibrium conditions with increasing PAH molecular size. For the near‐equilibrated phenanthrene and fluoranthene, higher BSAFs were measured during exposure to background sediments, with BSAF decreasing to <0.1 in contaminated sediments in the Stockholm waterways. In situ caged mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) exhibited field BSAF values (relative to sediment‐trap–collected suspended matter) for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) of 0.1 to 0.4, but for PAHs of similar hydrophobicity and molecular size, the field BSAFs were much lower and in the range 0.002 to 0.05. This PAH–PCB dichotomy is consistent with recently reported much stronger binding to diesel soot (a form of BC) for PAHs than for PCBs of equal hydrophobicities. Lower BSAFs for the near‐equilibrated PAHs (phenanthrene and fluoranthene) in the urban sediments relative to the background sediments were consistent with the larger presence of BC in the urban sediments. This study provides the first linked BSAF–BC field data that supports a causal relationship between strong soot sorption and reduced bioavailability for PAHs.
A Metataxonomic Approach Could Be Considered for Cattle Clinical Mastitis Diagnostics

Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases affecting the dairy industry, and identification of the causative microorganism(s) is essential. Here, we report the use of next-generation sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes for clinical mastitis diagnosis. We used 65 paired milk samples, collected from the mastitic and a contralateral healthy quarter of mastitic dairy cattle to evaluate the technique as a potential alternative to bacterial culture or targeted PCR. One large commercial dairy farm was used, with one trained veterinarian collecting the milk samples. The 16S rRNA genes were individually amplified and sequenced using the MiSeq platform. The MiSeq Reporter was used in order to analyze the obtained sequences. Cattle were categorized according to whether or not 1 of the 10 most abundant bacterial genera in the mastitic quarter exhibited an increase in relative abundance between the healthy and mastitic quarters equal to, or exceeding, twofold. We suggest that this increase in relative abundance is indicative of the genus being a causative mastitis pathogen. Well-known mastitis-causing pathogens such as Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus spp. were identified in most cattle. We were able to diagnose 53 out of the 65 studied cases and identify potential new mastitis pathogens such as Sneathia sanguinegens and Listeria innocua, which are difficult to identify by bacterial culture because of their fastidious nature.
The Vitamin D Receptor Agonist BXL-01-0029 as a Potential New Pharmacological Tool for the Treatment of Inflammatory Myopathies

Objective This study aims to investigate in vitro the effect of the VDR agonist BXL-01-0029 onto IFNγ/TNFα-induced CXCL10 secretion by human skeletal muscle cells compared to elocalcitol (VDR agonist), methylprednisolone, methotrexate, cyclosporin A, infliximab and leflunomide; to assess in vivo circulating CXCL10 level in subjects at time of diagnosis with IMs, before therapy, together with TNFα, IFNγ, IL-8, IL-6, MCP-1, MIP-1β and IL-10, vs. healthy subjects. Methods Human fetal skeletal muscle cells were used for in vitro studies; ELISA and Bio-Plex were used to measure cell supernatant and IC50 determination or serum cytokines; Western blot and Bio-Plex were for cell signaling analysis. Results BXL-01-0029 decreased with the highest potency IFNγ/TNFα-induced CXCL10 protein secretion and targeted cell signaling downstream of TNFα in human skeletal muscle cells; CXCL10 level was the highest in sera of subjects diagnosed with IMs before therapy and the only one significantly different vs. healthy controls. Conclusions Our in vitro and in vivo data, while confirm the relevance of CXCL10 in IMs, suggested BXL-01-0029 as a novel pharmacological tool for IM treatment, hypothetically to be used in combination with the current immunosuppressants to minimize side effects.
IL-33

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a newly described member of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines. Through activation of the ST2 receptor, which is widely expressed particularly by helper T 2 cells and mast cells, IL-33 is involved in T-cell–mediated immune responses. Many previous studies have demonstrated that IL-33 may have a pleiotropic function in different diseases, and it could represent a novel target for the treatment of a range of diseases. Recent works have explored the role of IL-33 in chronic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These results indicate that IL-33 may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune diseases. Hence, in this review, we discuss the biological features of IL-33 and summarize recent advances on the role of IL-33 in the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Nutrient Intake and Bone Mineral Density by Nutritional Status in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background Malnutrition among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may arise from factors including inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, and progression of disease. IBD has been reported an increased prevalence of low bone mass. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the nutritional status and to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and nutrient factors in patients with IBD. Methods A total of 41 subjects were classified into normal group (n=21) and malnourished group (n=20) by the subjective global assessment result. We surveyed the dietary habit, nutrient intake, and BMD. Results Subjects' average age was 36.7 years old, and included 26 ulcerative colitis and 15 Crohn's disease. The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher and serum calcium was significantly lower in the malnourished group. Lower bone density subjects were more in the malnourished group but no significant difference. Intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin C and folate were significantly lower in the malnourished group. The BMD of malnourished group showed correlation with triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), CRP, dietary calcium, phosphorous, iron, animal iron, zinc and vitamin. Conclusions The results suggested that adequate intake of nutrients is important to prevent bone loss and systemic education programs are need for IBD patients.
Prevalence of Allergic Diseases of Schoolchildren in Central Taiwan

The prevalence of allergic disorders is increasing around the world. This study used the standardized written questionnaire from International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC, phase III) to collect two cross-sectional appraisals of schoolchildren 5 years apart–one performed 2002 and another on 2007, to focus on the secular trends in prevalence of allergies in central Taiwan. This questionnaire was administered to schoolchildren from over 46 schools across Changhwa County in 2002, and again in 2007. The present study is a follow-up study and uses data collected from a previously reported study conducted in the year 2002 of the same location using the same methodology. Although the repeated cross-sectional survey after a 5-year lapse suggests a mere increase of diagnosed asthma cases from 7.1% to 7.4%, the prevalence of its related symptoms–nocturnal cough, rhinitis, and eczema–was found to increase significantly by 2.6% (p < 0.0001), 6.8% (p < 0.001), and 5.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. Additionally, comparing the secular trends in asthma prevalence, rhinitis, and eczema between several polluted areas in Changhwa County with its less polluted neighbors in 2002 and 2007 indicates that schoolchildren in TaiHao area, which is noted to be polluted by a petrochemical company, has a significantly increased prevalence of wheezing (3.7%, p < 0.05) and nocturnal cough (3.6%, p < 0.05). For schoolchildren living in the coastal areas, a 6% (p < 0.05) increase in the prevalence of rhinitis is noted. The prevalence of eczema uniformly increased for all areas of Changhwa County (p < 0.01). In the downtown areas, besides eczema, the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis also increased significantly (p < 0.05). Of note is the consistent finding in these two periods of the higher prevalence of childhood asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in the downtown areas compared with that from both the polluted and coastal areas. The secular trends in prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in these two periods seem to correlate to environmental factors. While the symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in schoolchildren affected boys more than girls, it is observed that affected girls have more marked manifestations, although it did not reach statistical significance.
The Stability Analyses of the Mathematical Models of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

There are two mathematical models of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) being discussed; the original model of HCV viral dynamics (Neumann et al., 1998) and its extended model (Dahari et al., 2007). The key aspects of the mathematical models have provided resources for analysing the stability of the uninfected and the infected steady states, in evaluating the antiviral effectiveness of therapy and for estimating the ranges of values of the parameters for clinical treatment. The original model is considered to be a deterministic model because of the predictive nature of the antiviral therapy within the constant target cells. Numerical simulations are carried out in the extended model, to explain the stability of the steady states in the absence or existence of migration in hepatocytes and, drug efficacy in treating HCV infection.
Anterior spinal artery and artery of Adamkiewicz detected by using multi-detector row CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our purpose was to evaluate the visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) and the anterior spinal artery (ASA) by using multi-detector row CT. Preoperative detection of the AKA and ASA is important for prevention of ischemic complications of thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. METHODS Data from contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen of 19 consecutive patients with known or suspected liver disease were evaluated. The scanning range was set from the level of the diaphragm to the lower edge of the liver. After bolus injection of contrast material (100 mL of iohexol, 350 mgI/mL, 5 mL/s), arterial phase scans were obtained by using a four-channel multi-detector row CT scanner. The scanning parameters included a detector row configuration of 4 x 2 mm, a pitch of 5:1, a gantry rotation speed of 0.5 s, 120 kVp, and 150 mAs. Arterial phase coronal multiplanar reconstruction scans obtained parallel to the spinal cord were evaluated by two neuroradiologists. The detectability of ASA and AKA was analyzed. RESULTS The AKA was visualized on the scans of 13 of 19 patients (68%). The segmental level of AKA origin ranged from T10 to L2. The AKA originated from the left side in nine patients (69%) and the right side in four patients (31%). The ASA was visualized on the scans of all patients (100%). For 16 of the 19 patients, the ASA was detected in its full length from the cranial edge of the scan range. However, the ascending branch of the ASA distal to the junction of the AKA was not detected for the remaining three patients. CONCLUSION The AKA and ASA can be visualized by using multi-detector row CT with the use of IV administered contrast material. Multi-detector row CT could be a useful tool in the evaluation of spinal vascular structures.
PDMP Blocks Brefeldin A–induced Retrograde Membrane Transport from Golgi to ER: Evidence for Involvement of Calcium Homeostasis and Dissociation from Sphingolipid Metabolism

In this study, we show that an inhibitor of sphingolipid biosynthesis, d,l-threo-1-phenyl-2- decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), inhibits brefeldin A (BFA)-induced retrograde membrane transport from Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum (ER). If BFA treatment was combined with or preceded by PDMP administration to cells, disappearance of discrete Golgi structures did not occur. However, when BFA was allowed to exert its effect before PDMP addition, PDMP could not “rescue” the Golgi compartment. Evidence is presented showing that this action of PDMP is indirect, which means that the direct target is not sphingolipid metabolism at the Golgi apparatus. A fluorescent analogue of PDMP, 6-(N-[7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl]amino)hexanoyl-PDMP (C6-NBD-PDMP), did not localize in the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, the effect of PDMP on membrane flow did not correlate with impaired C6-NBD-sphingomyelin biosynthesis and was not mimicked by exogenous C6-ceramide addition or counteracted by exogenous C6-glucosylceramide addition. On the other hand, the PDMP effect was mimicked by the multidrug resistance protein inhibitor MK571. The effect of PDMP on membrane transport correlated with modulation of calcium homeostasis, which occurred in a similar concentration range. PDMP released calcium from at least two independent calcium stores and blocked calcium influx induced by either extracellular ATP or thapsigargin. Thus, the biological effects of PDMP revealed a relation between three important physiological processes of multidrug resistance, calcium homeostasis, and membrane flow in the ER/ Golgi system.
Dielectric investigations of the dynamic glass transition in nanopores.

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (10 Hz–10 Hz! is employed to study the dynamic glass transition of low-molecular-weight glass-forming liquids being confined to nanoporous sol-gel glasses with pore sizes of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 nm. As glass-forming liquids, salol ~one hydroxy group! , pentylene glycol ~two hydroxy groups! , and glycerol ~three hydroxy groups! were chosen. We interpret the dielectric spectra in terms of a two-state model with dynamic exchange between a bulklike phase in the pore volume and an interfacial phase close to the pore wall. This enables one to analyze in detail the interplay between the molecular dynamics in the two subsystems ~bulklike and interfacial! , its dynamic exchange, and hence their growth and decline in dependence on temperature and strength of the molecular interactions. For glycerol it is shown that a bulklike dynamic glass transition takes place in subvolumes as small as about 1 nm. @S1063-651X~96! 08711-9#