Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Ceruloplasmin Levels Correlate Negatively with Liver Fibrosis in Males with Chronic Hepatitis B: A New Noninvasive Model for Predicting Liver Fibrosis in HBV-Related Liver Disease

Aims This study aimed to investigate associations between ceruloplasmin (CP) levels, inflammation grade and fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and to establish a noninvasive model to predict cirrhosis. Methods Liver biopsy samples and sera were collected from 198 CHB patients randomized into a training group (n=109) and a validation group (n=89). CP levels were determined using nephelometric immunoassays. Relationships between CP and liver inflammation and fibrosis were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of CP for determining liver fibrosis in CHB. The liver pathology-predictive model was built using multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify relevant indicators. Results CP levels were lower in males than in females, lower in patients with inflammation stage G4 compared to other stages and lower in cirrhotic compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Using area under the curve (AUC) values, CP levels distinguished different stages of inflammation and fibrosis. Multivariate analysis showed that CP levels were all significantly associated with cirrhosis in males. A model was developed combining routine laboratory markers APPCI (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], prothrombin time, and platelets [PLT] with CP) to predict fibrosis in CHB patients. The APPCI had a significantly greater AUC than FIB-4 (aspartate aminotransferase [AST]/ alanine aminotransferase [ALT]/PLT/age), APRI (AST/PLT ratio index), GPI (globin/PLT), and APGA (AST/PLT/gammaglutamyl transpeptidase [GGT]) models (all P-values<0.001). Conclusions CP levels correlate negatively and indirectly with inflammation and fibrosis stages in male CHB patients. The APPCI model uses routine laboratory variables with CP to accurately predict liver fibrosis in CHB.
Incidence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors of Community-Acquired and Hospital-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury

AbstractThe disease burden and outcomes of community-acquired (CA-) and hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) are not well understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors of AKI in a large Taiwanese adult cohort.This retrospective cohort study examined 734,340 hospital admissions from a group of hospitals within an organization in Taiwan between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014. Patients with AKI at discharge were classified as either CA- or HA-AKI based on the RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss of function, end stage of kidney disease) classification criteria. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality, dialysis, recovery of renal function, and length of stay. Risks of developing AKI were determined using multivariate logistic regression based on demographic and baseline clinical characteristics and nephrotoxin use before admission.AKI occurred in 1.68% to 2% hospital discharges among adults without and with preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD), respectively. The incidence of CA-AKI was 17.25 and HA-AKI was 8.14 per 1000 admissions. The annual rate of CA-AKI increased from 12.43 to 19.96 per 1000 people, but the change in HA-AKI was insignificant. Comparing to CA-AKI, those with HA-AKI had higher levels of in-hospital mortality (26.07% vs 51.58%), mean length of stay (21.25 ± 22.35 vs 35.84 ± 34.62 days), and dialysis during hospitalization (1.45% vs 2.06%). Preexisting systemic diseases, including CKD were associated with increased risks of CA-AKI, and nephrotoxic polypharmacy increased risk of both CA- and HA-AKI.Patients with HA-AKI had more severe outcomes than patients with CA-AKI, and demonstrated different spectrum of risk factors. Although patients with CA-AKI with better outcomes, the incidence increased over time. It is also clear that optimal preventive and management strategies of HA- and CA-AKI are urgently needed to limit the risks in susceptible individuals.
Oxidative stress and TGF-beta2 increase heat shock protein 27 expression in human optic nerve head astrocytes.

PURPOSE Reactive astrocytes of glaucomatous optic nerve heads (ONHs) are characterized by an increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 and heat shock proteins (Hsps) such as Hsp27. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of oxidative stress on TGF-beta2 and Hsp27 expression in human ONH astrocytes. METHODS Cultured ONH astrocytes were exposed to 100, 200, and 400 muM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 1 hour. Levels of TGF-beta2 were analyzed by ELISA. Additionally, cells were treated with 1.0 ng/mL TGF-beta2 for 12, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. Expression of Hsp27 was detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and Western blot analyses. To investigate the role of signal transduction proteins, cells were pretreated with the specific inhibitors SB203580, PD98059, U0126, and SP600125. Furthermore, induction of p38MAP kinase and its phosphorylated form were determined by Western blot analyses. RESULTS H(2)O(2) exposure increased the secretion of TGF-beta2. Both H(2)O(2) and TGF-beta2 increased the Hsp27 expression. Pretreatment of cells with SB203580, an inhibitor for p38MAP kinase, reduced the H(2)O(2)- and TGF-beta2-stimulated Hsp27 expression, whereas pretreatment with PD98059 and U0126, specific inhibitors of ERK1/2, and SP600125, a specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor, had no effects. H(2)O(2) and TGF-beta2 upregulated the phosphorylated p38MAP kinase. CONCLUSIONS Oxidative stress increased TGF-beta2 secretion in cultured human ONH astrocytes. Both H(2)O(2) and TGF-beta2 increased Hsp27 expression via p38MAP kinase activation. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that reduction of oxidative stress and TGF-beta2 may help to minimize the incidence of characteristic changes in the ONH of patients with glaucoma.
Cross-sex versus same-sex experience and relationship satisfaction: addressing diverse social networks among Orthodox Jews

ABSTRACT Romantic experiences in adolescence often predict relationship stability and marital status in adulthood. Religious practice and belief also have been linked to increased marital satisfaction and overall wellbeing. However, certain religions limit cross-sex interaction in areas of education, social and romantic relationships. Although gender segregation has been studied in educational and occupational contexts, no previous research has addressed religious gender segregation and its impact on relationship development, marital satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. The present study addressed the generalisability of data on cross-sex experience derived from normative populations to a religious subculture, outlining predictors for marital satisfaction and wellbeing in an Orthodox Jewish sample. Results showed some similarities between the general population and the Orthodox Jews represented by the study sample. However, some factors illustrated divergent paths and outcomes for this sample. This study demonstrates the influence of societal norms and the importance of addressing cultural context when evaluating marital satisfaction.
Affine embeddings of homogeneous spaces

Let G be a reductive algebraic group and let H be a reductive subgroup of G. We describe all pairs (G,H) such that for any affine G-variety X with a dense G-orbit isomorphic to G/H the number of G-orbits in X is finite. The maximal number of parameters in families of G-orbits in all affine embeddings of G/H is computed.
Statistical analysis of the jointly-optimized acoustic echo cancellation BF-AEC structure

This work presents a statistical analysis of a beamformer-assisted acoustic echo canceler (AEC). A new formulation leads to analytical models that can also be used to predict the transient performance of adaptive wideband beamformers. Monte Carlo simulations illustrate the accuracy of the model, which is then used to provide design guidelines. Application of the new model confirms previous experimental findings that the same cancellation performance of a single-microphone AEC can be achieved with a shorter AEC when the possibility of spatial filtering is available.
Optical and near-infrared colours as a discriminant of the age and metallicity of stellar populations

We present a comprehensive analysis of the ability of current stellar population models to reproduce the optical (ugriz) and near-infrared (JHK) colours of a small sample of well-studied nearby elliptical and S0 galaxies. We find broad agreement between the ages and metallicities derived using different population models, although different models show different systematic deviations from the measured broad-band fluxes. Although it is possible to constrain simple stellar population models to a well-defined area in age-metallicity space, there is a clear degeneracy between these parameters even with such a full range of precise colours. The precision to which age and metallicity can be determined independently, using only broad-band photometry with realistic errors, is Δ[Fe/H] ≃ 0.18 and Δlog Age ≃ 0.25. To constrain the populations and therefore the star formation history further, it will be necessary to combine broad-band optical-IR photometry with either spectral line indices, or else photometry at wavelengths outside this range.
Market Forces and Sex Discrimination

We report new evidence on the existence of sex discrimination in wages and whether competitive market forces act to reduce or eliminate discrimination. Specifically, we use plant- and firm-level data to examine the relationships between profitability, growth and ownership changes, product market power, and the sex composition of a plant's or firm's workforce. Our strongest finding is that among plants with high levels of product market power, those that employ relatively more women are more profitable. No such relationship exists for plants with apparently low levels of market power. This is consistent with sex discrimination in wages in the short run in markets where plants have product market power. We also examine evidence on the longer-run effects of market forces on discrimination, asking whether discriminatory employers with market power are punished over time through lower growth than non-discriminatory employers, or whether discriminatory employers are bought out by non-discriminators. We find little evidence that this occurs over a five-year period, as growth and ownership changes for plants with market power are generally not significantly related to the sex composition of a plant's workforce.
Computing cavity resonances using eigenvalues displacement

The numerical discretization of the field inside a cavity by means of edge elements results in a generalized algebraic eigenvalues problem that contains several undesired null eigenvalues. This occurrence prevents the effective use of iterative eigensolvers. To overcome this difficulty, a complementary eigenproblem has been proposed in the literature. This paper extends this method by introducing a family of algebraically built complementary eigenproblems, and determines, by numerical experiments and heuristics, which complementary eigenproblems are best suited for the preconditioned inverse iteration eigensolver and the Lanczos method.
The Development of a Sense of Coherence in Family Therapy Trainees in Germany: A Three-Year Investigation

ABSTRACT Research on family therapy training and sense of coherence is lacking. Sense of coherence has been proposed as a meta-model for salutogenic family therapy. This study aims to explore the development of sense of coherence among systemic family therapist trainees in Germany over a 3-year period. The sample consisted of 66 trainees (1st year) with 55 and 43 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd years, respectively. Biographical and sense of coherence data were analyzed. Findings indicate an increase in total sense of coherence, particularly for meaningfulness. Certain subgroups developed sense of coherence and subscales more so than others. Conclusions are provided and recommendations for family theory and practice given.
The occurrence of particle size distribution bimodality in midlatitude cirrus as inferred from ground-based remote sensing data

AbstractData collected in midlatitude cirrus clouds by instruments on jet aircraft typically show particle size distributions that have distinct distribution modes in both the 10–30-μm maximum dimension (D) size range and the 200–300-μm D size range or larger. A literal interpretation of the small D mode in these datasets suggests that total concentrations Nt in midlatitude cirrus are, on average, well in excess of 1 cm−3 whereas more conventional analyses of in situ data and cloud process model results suggest Nt values a factor of 10 less. Given this wide discrepancy, questions have been raised regarding the influence of data artifacts caused by the shattering of large crystals on aircraft and probe surfaces. This inconsistency and the general nature of the cirrus particle size distribution are examined using a ground-based remote sensing dataset. An algorithm using millimeter-wavelength radar Doppler moments and Raman lidar-derived extinction is developed to retrieve a bimodal particle size distributio.
Intranasal Delivery of miR-146a Mimics Delayed Seizure Onset in the Lithium-Pilocarpine Mouse Model

Unveiling the key mechanism of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) for the development of novel treatments is of increasing interest, and anti-inflammatory miR-146a is now considered a promising molecular target for TLE. In the current study, a C57BL/6 TLE mouse model was established using the lithium-pilocarpine protocol. The seizure degree was evaluated according to the Racine scale, and level 5 was considered the threshold for generalized convulsions. Animals were sacrificed to analyze the hippocampus at three time points (2 h and 4 and 8 weeks after pilocarpine administration to evaluate the acute, latent, and chronic phases, resp.). After intranasal delivery of miR-146a mimics (30 min before pilocarpine injection), the percent of animals with no induced seizures increased by 6.7%, the latency to generalized convulsions was extended, and seizure severity was reduced. Additionally, hippocampal damage was alleviated. While the relative miR-146a levels significantly increased, the expression of its target mRNAs (IRAK-1 and TRAF-6) and typical inflammatory modulators (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) decreased, supporting an anti-inflammatory role of miR-146a via the TLR pathway. This study is the first to demonstrate that intranasal delivery of miR-146a mimics can improve seizure onset and hippocampal damage in the acute phase of lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures, which provides inflammation-based clues for the development of novel TLE treatments.
Information and communication technology learning in the classroom: The influence of students, the class-group, teachers and the home

Abstract A model of classroom information and communication technology (ICT) classroom learning culture inclusive of the influence of the individual student, the class-group, the teacher and the home ICT environment was conceptualised. Data from a survey of 439 primary and secondary students were analysed using Rasch and structural equation modeling techniques. The Rasch analysis results showed students generally expressed confidence in their capacity to use ICT in their learning, but were less certain about the extent to which this learning was supported by teachers and parents. The structural equation modeling analysis showed that attributes of the individual student were more influential than those of the class-group and of the teacher on effective ICT learning. The home ICT environment was shown to mediate the influence of individual student ICT learning behaviours on the development of positive attitudes towards the use of ICT at school. The empirical findings of the study are discussed with regard to the expectations of ICT learning as articulated in the local curriculum. This discussion draws attention to particular aspects of ICT learning and ICT curriculum implementation that could be viewed with concern in terms of the traditional roles of teachers and schools in enabling curriculum realisation.
TELP, a sensitive and versatile library construction method for next-generation sequencing

Next-generation sequencing has been widely used for the genome-wide profiling of histone modifications, transcription factor binding and gene expression through chromatin immunoprecipitated DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) and cDNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Here, we describe a versatile library construction method that can be applied to both ChIP-seq and RNA-seq on the widely used Illumina platforms. Standard methods for ChIP-seq library construction require nanograms of starting DNA, substantially limiting its application to rare cell types or limited clinical samples. By minimizing the DNA purification steps that cause major sample loss, our method achieved a high sensitivity in ChIP-seq library preparation. Using this method, we achieved the following: (i) generated high-quality epigenomic and transcription factor-binding maps using ChIP-seq for murine adipocytes; (ii) successfully prepared a ChIP-seq library from as little as 25 pg of starting DNA; (iii) achieved paired-end sequencing of the ChIP-seq libraries; (iv) systematically profiled gene expression dynamics during murine adipogenesis using RNA-seq and (v) preserved the strand specificity of the transcripts in RNA-seq. Given its sensitivity and versatility in both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA library construction, this method has wide applications in genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and interactomic studies.
Course sequencing techniques for large-scale web-based education

We argue that traditional sequencing technology developed in the field of intelligent tutoring systems could find an immediate place in large- scale web-based education. This paper discusses two models that have been explored by the authors - the dynamic course generation system DCG and the concept-based course maintenance system CoCoA. DCG includes components for domain authoring and for automatic generation of adaptive courses on the WWW. It allows automatic generation of individualised courses according to the learner's goal and previous knowledge, and can dynamically adapt the course according to the learner's success in acquiring knowledge. CoCoA can check the consistency and quality of a course at any moment of its life and also assists course developers in some routine operations.
Individual differences on an auditory-visual speech perception test for people with hearing loss

Individual differences in auditory-visual speech perception in people with hearing loss were investigated using syllables, words, and sentences. The stimuli were presented in auditory-only, visual-only, and auditory-visual conditions for both congruent and incongruent conditions. In the congruent condition auditory speech stimuli were presented with their identical visual cues, and in the incongruent condition auditory stimuli were presented with conflicting visual cues. Nine young adults with varying degrees of hearing loss, fitted with hearing-aids or cochlear implants participated in the study. The relative increase in auditory-visual speech perception as measured by these tests resulting from the addition of visual cues to the auditory signal was calculated for each condition. The results showed that the subjects were better able to integrate both auditory and visual cues in the auditory-visual congruent condition. The auditory-visual gain in speech perception was less for the incongruent condition. The subjects showed significant individual differences in the amount of gain for different experimental conditions. These results suggest that auditory-visual integration of speech information does occur but that the degree of integration varies among the subjects. The speech stimuli showing the most auditory-visual integration are discussed in the text.
Large System Performance of Signature Quantization in CDMA

In this paper, we analyze the performance of a signature quan tization scheme for reverse-link Direct Sequence (DS)Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Assum ing perfect estimates of channel and interference covariance, the receiver selects the signatu re that maximizes signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for a desired user from a signature codebo ok. The codebook index corresponding to the optimal signature is then relayed to the user with finit e umber of bits via a feedback channel. Previously, we showed that a Random Vector Quantization (RV Q) codebook, which contains independent isotropically distributed vectors, is optimal (i.e., maxi mizes SINR) in a large system limit in which number of interfering users, processing gain, and feedback its tend to infinity with fixed ratios. Dai et al. have analyzed the large system SINR for a matched filter with n onfading channel. Here we extend the results to linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receive r and multipath fading channel. Numerical examples show that the derived large system results give a go od approximation to the performance of finite-size system.
A NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY OF K-SELECTED GALAXIES AT z∼ 2.3: COMPARISON OF STELLAR POPULATION SYNTHESIS CODES AND CONSTRAINTS FROM THE REST-FRAME NIR

We present spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling of a sample of 34 K-selected galaxies at z∼ 2.3. These galaxies have near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy that samples the rest-frame Balmer/4000 Å break as well as deep photometry in 13 broadband filters. New to our analysis is Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) data that extend the SEDs into the rest-frame NIR. Comparing parameters determined from SED fits with and without the IRAC data we find that the IRAC photometry significantly improves the confidence intervals of τ, Av, Mstar, and SFR for individual galaxies, but does not systematically alter the mean parameters of the sample. We use the IRAC data to assess how well current stellar population synthesis codes describe the rest-frame NIR SEDs of young galaxies where discrepancies between treatments of the thermally pulsating asymptotic giant branch phase of stellar evolution are most pronounced. The models of Bruzual and Charlot, Maraston, and Charlot and Bruzual all successfully reproduce the SEDs of our galaxies with ⩽5% differences in the quality of fit; however, the best-fit masses from each code differ systematically by as much as a factor of 1.5, and other parameters vary more, up to factors of 2–3. A comparison of best-fit stellar population parameters from different stellar population synthesis (SPS) codes, dust laws, and metallicities shows that the choice of SPS code is the largest systematic uncertainty in most parameters, and that systematic uncertainties are typically larger than the formal random uncertainties. The SED fitting confirms our previous result that galaxies with strongly suppressed SF account for ∼50% of the K-bright population at z∼ 2.3; however, the uncertainty in this fraction is large due to systematic differences in the specific star formation rates derived from the three SPS models.