Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered male reproduction in rats exposed perinatally to biochanin-A

Phytoestrogens are the plant extract compounds, pri marily isoflavones that mimic or modulate endogenous estrogens, usually by binding to estrogen receptors . Biochanin- A (BC-A) is an isoflavone found in red clover and is a selective agonist of estrogen receptor-β (ER-β) and have the capacity to alter functioning of mal e reproduction. The present study focused on the chan ges of reproduction in male rats exposed to BC-A du ring the perinatal period. Normal adult male and female rats were co-habitated and the pregnant female rats were injected with 25mg, 50mg and 100 mg BC-A/Kg body weight on window period 12 th , 14 th , 16 th and 18 th day. Rats were allowed to deliver the pups and the BC-A exposure was continued up to weaning period. After weaning male and female pups were separated and maintained in separate cages in a dose wise manner. To check the reproductive performance of adult males ( 90 days old) exposed perinatally to BC-A are co-hab ited with sexually mature normal females. Female rats were sacrificed by cervical dis-location and autopsy was performed on 8 th and 19 th day of gestation. Uterus and ovaries were examined for the numbers of corpora lutea, implantations, dead, live foetuses, resorptions and fetal weight. Significant increase was noticed in the conception time, pre and post implantation loss (p< 0.0001) and decrease in the number of implantations (p<0.0001). Further observed significant decrease i n fertility rate as measured by counting numbers of live fetuses (p<0.005) and resorptions (p<0.05) in the f emales mated with males exposed to BC-A. Females mated with BC-A exposed males were shown significant reduction (p<0.0001) in resorptions, and significant de crease (p<0.05) in fetal weight and number of live fetuses per rat. The present study elucidated the signific ance of perinatal BC-A exposure on male reproductive health.
Predictive Factors and Impact of No Reflow After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background—The investigation of no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction has therapeutic implications. We investigated the predictive factors, persistence in time, and impact of no reflow on myocardial salvage, ventricular function, and mortality. Methods and Results—The study included 1140 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI and paired scintigraphic examinations (before intervention and 7 to 14 days thereafter). After primary PCI, 108 patients had no reflow and 1032 patients had normal coronary flow. The median salvage index was 0.34 (interquartile range, 0.15, 0.49) in patients with no reflow versus 0.55 (interquartile range, 0.29, 0.81) in patients with normal flow (P<0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months after PCI was 47.7±13.1% in the no-reflow group versus 54.2±13.9% in the group with normal flow after PCI (P<0.001). In 80.3% of patients with no reflow, normalization of blood flow >6 months after PCI occurred and correlated with improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction. Independent predictors of no reflow were residual flow in the infarct-related artery (P<0.001), initial perfusion defect (P=0.03), C-reactive protein (P<0.001), and previous myocardial infarction (P=0.013). Kaplan–Meier estimates of 1-year mortality were 16.7% (n=18) in patients with no reflow versus 5.5% (n=56) in patients with normal flow (hazard ratio, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.97 to 5.69; P<0.001). Conclusions—No reflow after primary PCI was associated with reduced myocardial salvage, larger infarct size, worse left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months, and increased risk of 1-year mortality. In 4 of 5 patients with no reflow after PCI, restoration of normal flow occurred 6 months after reperfusion.
Contextual Weak Independence in Bayesian Networks

It is well-known that the notion of (strong) conditional independence (CI) is too restrictive to capture independencies that only hold in certain contexts. This kind of contextual independency, called context-strong independence (CSI), can be used to facilitate the acquisition, representation, and inference of probabilistic knowledge. In this paper, we suggest the use of contextual weak independence (CWI) in Bayesian networks. It should be emphasized that the notion of CWI is a more general form of contextual independence than CSI. Furthermore, if the contextual strong independence holds for all contexts, then the notion of CSI becomes strong CI. On the other hand, if the weak contextual independence holds for all contexts, then the notion of CWI becomes weak independence (WI) which is a more general noncontextual independency than strong CI. More importantly, complete axiomatizations are studied for both the class of WI and the class of CI and WI together. Finally, the interesting property of WI being a necessary and sufficient condition for ensuring consistency in granular probabilistic networks is shown.
Building Location Models for Visual Place Recognition

This paper deals with the task of appearance-based mapping and place recognition. Previously, the scope of a location generally varied between either using discrete poses or loosely defined sequences of poses, facing problems related to perceptual aliasing and path invariance respectively. Here, we present a unified framework for defining, modelling and recognizing places in a way which is directly related to the underlying structure of features in the environment. A covisibility map of the environment is incrementally maintained over time, where visual landmarks represent nodes in a graph which are connected if seen together. When queried, relevant places are retrieved as clusters from this map, and a novel probabilistic observation model is used to evaluate place recognition. Place retrieval is able to adapt to a given query and also inherently cope with trajectory variations, due to the use of the landmark covisibility structure. In addition, the chosen generative model is developed in a way which is robust to observation errors, mapping errors, perceptual aliasing, and parameter sensitivity. Validation is provided through a variety of tests using real-world datasets, which compare the behaviour of the proposed approach to other representative state-of-the-art methods (namely FAB-MAP and SeqSLAM).
Preventable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in rural Indonesia: prevalence study using WHO STEPS approach.

OBJECTIVE To gain a better understanding of the health transition in Indonesia, we sought to describe the prevalence and distribution of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and to identify the risk-factor burden among a rural population and an urban population. METHODS Using the protocol of the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS), risk factors for noncommunicable diseases were determined for 1502 men and 1461 women aged 15-74 years at the Purworejo Demographic Surveillance Site in 2001. FINDINGS Smoking prevalence was high among men (913/1539; weighted percentage=53.9.%) in both rural and urban populations; it was almost non-existent among women. A higher proportion of the urban population and the richest quintile of the rural population had high blood pressure and were classified as being overweight or obese when compared with the poorest quintile of the rural population. Those classified as being in the richest quintile who lived in the rural area were 1.5 times more likely to have raised blood pressure and 8 times more likely to be overweight than those classified as being in the poorest quintile and living in the rural area. Clustering of risk factors was higher among those classified as being in the richest quintile of those living in the rural area compared with those classified as being in the poorest quintile; and the risks of clustering were just 20-30% lower compared with the urban population. CONCLUSION Both the rural and urban populations in Purworejo face an unequally distributed burden of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. The burden among the most well-off group in the rural area has already reached a level similar to that found in the urban area. The implementation of the WHO STEPS approach was feasible, and it provides a comprehensive picture of the burden of risk factors, allowing appropriate health interventions to be implemented to address health inequities.
Mathematical modeling of surface roughness and ablation effects on thermal protection

Based on known theoretical results, the paper presents a detailed mathematical model for surface roughness and injection of gaseous products generated from thermochemical destruction of a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. Ablation through a rough surface has various effects on the rate of heat transfer in thermal protective materials. The numerically calculated data were compared with known data.
Totally odd subdivisions and parity subdivisions: Structures and Coloring

A totally odd H-subdivision means a subdivision of a graph H in which each edge of H corresponds to a path of odd length. Thus this concept is a generalization of a subdivision of H. In this paper, we give a structure theorem for graphs without a fixed graph H as a totally odd subdivision. Namely, every graph with no totally odd H-subdivision has a tree-decomposition such that each piece is either 1. after deleting bounded number of vertices, an "almost" embedded graph into a bounded-genus surface, or 2. after deleting bounded number of vertices, a bipartite graph, or 3. after deleting bounded number of vertices, a graph with maximum degree at most f(|H|) for some function f of |H| (or a 6|H|-degenerate graph). Moreover, we can obtain either a totally odd Kk-subdivision or such a tree-decomposition in polynomial time. We note that for minor-free graphs, we just need the first structure [37], while for odd-minor-free graphs, we need the first two structures [10]. For subdivision-free graphs, we need the first and the third structures [17, 29]. So our result can be viewed as a combination of odd-minor-free graphs and subdivision-free graphs. The same conclusion of the structure theorem is true if we replace "totally odd" by "parity". Hence this generalizes the structure theorem for subdivision-free graphs [17, 29]. We also consider coloring of graphs with no totally odd Kk-subdivision. We prove that any graph with no totally odd Kk-subdivision is 79k2/4-colorable. The bound on the chromatic number is essentially best possible since the correct order of the magnitude of the chromatic number even for graphs with no Kk-subdivision is Θ(k2). Our result improves the bound given by Thomassen [44]. Furthermore, it also generalizes the result by Bollobas and Thomason, and Komlos and Szemeredi, [6, 30] for graphs without Kk-subdivisions. Finally we consider of coloring graphs with no totally odd Kk-subdivision in terms of an algorithmic view. Using our structure theorem, we give an approximation algorithm for coloring of a graph G without a fixed graph H as a totally odd subdivision, using 2χ(G) + 6(|H| − 1) colors, where χ(G) is chromatic number of G. The same conclusion is true if we replace "totally odd" by "parity". We point out that it is Unique-Game hard to obtain an O(k/log2 k)-approximation algorithm for graph-coloring of graphs with maximum degree at most k − 2 [2], and hence it is also Unique-Game hard to obtain an O(k/log2 k)-approximation algorithm for graph-coloring of graphs even without a Kk-subdivision (i.e, without the parity constraint). Thus our additive error Θ(k) is most likely best possible up to constant.
Inherited human prion diseases

Three human neurodegenerative diseases-kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and GerstmannStraussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS)-show clinical and pathologic characteristics similar to those of scrapie, a transmissible neurodegenerative disease of sheep and goats. The term “prion” was introduced to distinguish the transmissible agent of scrapie from viruses and viroids. ’ Prions are proteinaceous infectious particles that contain little or no nucleic acid and in which an aberrant host protein is a major and necessary component. Detailed biologic and chemical discussions of prions can be found else~here. ~J Multiple lines of evidence have led to the conclusion that prions in animals and humans are closely related (1) transmission of CJD and scrapie to rodents and primates produce strikingly similar clinical and neuropathologic characteristic^^^^; (2) experimental CJD in goats is indistinguishable from natural scrapie6; (3) both CJD and scrapie agents exhibit extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and are similar in size7-l’J; (4) both scrapie and CJD agents show similar patterns of inactivation by chaotropic ions, alkali, and heatlJ1; (5) a protease-resistant isoform of the prion protein (PrP) accumulates in the brains of patients with kuru, GSS, and CJDn-15; (6) Western blots of brain tissue from patients with kuru, GSS, and CJD are positive when tested against antiserum to PrPlZ-l5; (7) amyloid plaques in scrapie, CJD, and GSS are antigenically related as shown by in situ immunohistochemistry using PrP antiserum16; and (8) there is nearly 90% conservation of amino acid sequence among hamster, mouse, and human PrP molecule^. ^^-^^ These observations form the basis for concluding that prions cause kuru, CJD, and GSS in humans.
Multimedia patient education to assist the informed consent process for knee arthroscopy

Background: In contemporary clinical practice, the ability for orthopaedic surgeons to obtain true ‘informed consent’ is becoming increasingly difficult. This problem has been driven by factors including increased expectations of surgical outcome by patients and increasing complexity of surgical procedures. Surgical pamphlets and computer presentations have been advocated as ways of improving patient education, but evidence of their efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a computer‐based multimedia (MM) presentation against standardized verbal consent and information pamphlets for patients considering knee arthroscopy surgery.
Long-term survival differences for bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma patients with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis at diagnosis.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that the current staging system does not accurately reflect survival outcomes for advanced bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma (BAC) patients. METHODS We conducted a case-only analysis of US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data (1998-2002). Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) univariate analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards ratios. RESULTS 2345 incident cases of BAC were analyzed, including 707 patients with stage IIIB or IV BAC. Patients with stage IIIB BAC due to multiple lesions in the same lobe (n=93) had significantly improved median OS (46m) and LCSS (>58m) compared to other stage IIIB BAC patients (n=111; OS=9m, P<0.0001; LCSS=10m, P<0.0001). Among stage IV BAC patients, those with intrapulmonary metastasis (n=278) had significantly improved median OS (13m) and LCSS (15m) compared to those with distant metastasis (n=225; OS=7m, P<0.0001; LCSS=7m, P=0.0001). These survival differences persisted after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, and surgical treatment status. CONCLUSIONS Among stage IIIB and IV BAC patients, those presenting with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis have improved survival outcomes. Our results add further support for modification to the current staging system for BAC.
Efficient implementation of lattice operations

Lattice operations such as greatest lower bound (GLB), least upper bound (LUB), and relative complementation (BUTNOT) are becoming more and more important in programming languages supporting object inheritance. We present a general technique for the efficient implementation of such operations based on an encoding method. The effect of the encoding is to plunge the given ordering into a boolean lattice of binary words, leading to an almost constant time complexity of the lattice operations. A first method is described based on a transitive closure approach. Then a more space-efficient method minimizing code-word length is described. Finally a powerful grouping technique called modulation is presented, which drastically reduces code space while keeping all three lattice operations highly efficient. This technique takes into account idiosyncrasies of the topology of the poset being encoded that are quite likely to occur in practice. All methods are formally justified. We see this work as an original contribution towards using semantic (vz., in this case, taxonomic) information in the engineering pragmatics of storage and retrieval of (vz., partially or quasi-ordered) information.
Antibodies Against Conserved Antigens Provide Opportunities for Reform in Influenza Vaccine Design

High-performance neutralizing antibody against influenza virus typically recognizes the globular head region of its hemagglutinin (HA) envelope glycoprotein. To-date, approved human vaccination strategies have been designed to induce such antibodies as a sole means of preventing the consequences of this infection. However, frequent amino-acid changes in the HA globular head allow for efficient immune evasion. Consequently, vaccines inducing such neutralizing antibodies need to be annually re-designed and re-administered at a great expense. These vaccines furthermore provide little-to-no immunity against antigenic-shift strains, which arise from complete replacement of HA or of neuraminidase genes, and pose pandemic risks. To address these issues, laboratory research has focused on inducing immunity effective against all strains, regardless of changes in the HA globular head. Despite prior dogma that such cross-protection needs to be induced by cellular immunity alone, several advances in recent years demonstrate that antibodies of other specificities are capable of cross-strain protection in mice. This review discusses the reactivity, induction, efficacy, and mechanisms of antibodies that react with poorly accessible epitopes in the HA stalk, with the matrix 2 membrane ion channel, and even with the internal nucleoprotein. These advances warrant further investigation of the inducibility and efficacy of such revolutionary antibody strategies in humans.
Automatic Estimation and Removal of Noise from a Single Image

Image denoising algorithms often assume an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) process that is independent of the actual RGB values. Such approaches are not fully automatic and cannot effectively remove color noise produced by today’s CCD digital camera. In this paper, we propose a unified framework for two tasks: automatic estimation and removal of color noise from a single image using piecewise smooth image models. We introduce the noise level function (NLF), which is a continuous function describing the noise level as a function of image brightness. We then estimate an upper bound of the real noise level function by fitting a lower envelope to the standard deviations of per-segment image variances. For denoising, the chrominance of color noise is significantly removed by projecting pixel values onto a line fit to the RGB values in each segment. Then, a Gaussian conditional random field (GCRF) is constructed to obtain the underlying clean image from the noisy input. Extensive experiments are conducted to test the proposed algorithm, which is shown to outperform state-of-the-art denoising algorithms.
Vibration of Eccentrically Stiffened Laminates

This paper presents the dynamic analysis and also serves as a design guide for the eccentncally stiffened laminates. Natural frequencies are ob tained in the course of simultaneous solution of equations of motion of the plate segments and stiffeners, and the related displacement compatibilities. Three typical cases are investigated for the frequency behavior as re lated to the stiffener depth or eccentricity and spacing. Results are con sistent with classical lamination theory when unstiffened. As a result of this investigation, vibration response of rectangular laminated panels can be eliminated or reduced by proper stiffener design.
Treponema denticola improves adhesive capacities of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important etiological agent of periodontal disease, is frequently found associated with Treponema denticola, an anaerobic spirochete, in pathogenic biofilms. However, interactions between these two bacteria are not well understood at the molecular level. In this study, we seek to link the influence of T. denticola on the expression of P. gingivalis proteases with its capacities to adhere and to form biofilms. The P. gingivalis genes encoding Arg-gingipain A (RgpA), Lys-gingipain (Kgp), and hemagglutinin A (HagA) were more strongly expressed after incubation with T. denticola compared with P. gingivalis alone. The amounts of the three resulting proteins, all of which contain hemagglutinin adhesion domains, were increased in culture supernatants. Moreover, incubation of P. gingivalis with T. denticola promoted static and dynamic biofilm formation, primarily via a time-dependent enhancement of P. gingivalis adhesion capacities on bacterial partners such as Streptococcus gordonii. Adhesion of P. gingivalis to human cells was also increased. These results showed that interactions of P. gingivalis with other bacterial species, such as T. denticola, induce increased adhesive capacities on various substrata by hemagglutinin adhesion domain-containing proteins.
Body Weight as a Prognostic Factor for Day Hospital Success in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

For female adolescents with anorexia nervosa, body weight at admission as a predictor of treatment outcome in the day hospital setting was examined. A retrospective review of patient charts was completed to determine success or failure in the day hospital program based on weight above or below 85% of ideal body weight. There was not a greater risk of failure in the day hospital program for patients with ideal body weight below 85% compared to those patients with an ideal body weight of ≥ to 85%. Body weight did not predict day hospital success in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in this study.
Circular Chromatic Number of Planar Graphs of Large Odd Girth

It was conjectured by Jaeger that $4k$-edge connected graphs admit a $(2k+1, k)$-flow. The restriction of this conjecture to planar graphs is equivalent to the statement that planar graphs of girth at least $4k$ have circular chromatic number at most $2+ {{1}\over {k}}$. Even this restricted version of Jaeger's conjecture is largely open. The $k=1$ case is the well-known Grotzsch 3-colour theorem. This paper proves that for $k \geq 2$, planar graphs of odd girth at least $8k-3$ have circular chromatic number at most $2+{{1}\over {k}}$.