Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs, Acetaminophen, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Background— Although randomized trials of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have shown increased cardiovascular risk, studies of nonselective, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen have been inconsistent. Methods and Results— We examined the influence of NSAIDs and acetaminophen on the risk of major cardiovascular events (nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, nonfatal and fatal stroke) in a prospective cohort of 70 971 women, aged 44 to 69 years at baseline, free of known cardiovascular disease or cancer, who provided medication data biennially since 1990. During 12 years of follow-up, we confirmed 2041 major cardiovascular events. Women who reported occasional (1 to 21 d/mo) use of NSAIDs or acetaminophen did not experience a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular events. However, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, women who frequently (≥22 d/mo) used NSAIDs had a relative risk (RR) for a cardiovascular event of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.65) compared with nonusers, whereas those who frequently consumed acetaminophen had a RR of 1.35 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.59). The elevated risk associated with frequent NSAID use was particularly evident among current smokers (RR=1.82; 95% CI, 1.38 to 2.42) and was absent among never smokers (Pinteraction=0.02). Moreover, we observed significant dose-response relations: Compared with nonusers, the RRs for a cardiovascular event among women who used ≥15 tablets per week were 1.86 (95% CI, 1.27 to 2.73) for NSAIDs and 1.68 (95% CI, 1.10 to 2.58) for acetaminophen. Conclusions— Use of NSAIDs or acetaminophen at high frequency or dose is associated with a significantly increased risk for major cardiovascular events, although more moderate use did not confer substantial risk.
Promoting Motor Function by Exercising the Brain

Exercise represents a behavioral intervention that enhances brain health and motor function. The increase in cerebral blood volume in response to physical activity may be responsible for improving brain function. Among the various neuroimaging techniques used to monitor brain hemodynamic response during exercise, functional near-infrared spectroscopy could facilitate the measurement of task-related cortical responses noninvasively and is relatively robust with regard to the subjects’ motion. Although the components of optimal exercise interventions have not been determined, evidence from animal and human studies suggests that aerobic exercise with sufficiently high intensity has neuroprotective properties and promotes motor function. This review provides an insight into the effect of physical activity (based on endurance and resistance exercises) on brain function for producing movement. Since most progress in the study of brain function has come from patients with neurological disorders (e.g., stroke and Parkinson’s patients), this review presents some findings emphasizing training paradigms for restoring motor function.
A Parametric Approach to List Decoding of Reed-Solomon Codes Using Interpolation

In this paper, we present a minimal list decoding algorithm for Reed-Solomon (RS) codes. Minimal list decoding for a code C refers to list decoding with radius L, where L is the minimum of the distances between the received word r and any codeword in C. We consider the problem of determining the value of L as well as determining all the codewords at distance L. Our approach involves a parametrization of interpolating polynomials of a minimal Gröbner basis G . We present two efficient ways to compute G. We also show that so-called re-encoding can be used to further reduce the complexity. We then demonstrate how our parametric approach can be solved by a computationally feasible rational curve fitting solution from a recent paper by Wu. Besides, we present an algorithm to compute the minimum multiplicity as well as the optimal values of the parameters associated with this multiplicity, which results in overall savings in both memory and computation.
Supersymmetric Index Of Three-Dimensional Gauge Theory

In N=1 super Yang-Mills theory in three spacetime dimensions, with a simple gauge group $G$ and a Chern-Simons interaction of level $k$, the supersymmetric index $\Tr (-1)^F$ can be computed by making a relation to a pure Chern-Simons theory or microscopically by an explicit Born-Oppenheimer calculation on a two-torus. The result shows that supersymmetry is unbroken if $|k|\geq h/2$ (with $h$ the dual Coxeter number of $G$) and suggests that dynamical supersymmetry breaking occurs for $|k|<h/2$. The theories with large $|k|$ are massive gauge theories whose universality class is not fully described by the standard criteria.
Chemical agents transported by xylem mass flow propagate variation potentials

Summary Long‐distance signalling is important for coordinating plant responses to the environment. Variation potentials (VPs) are a type of long‐distance electrical signal that are generated in plants in response to wounding or flaming. Unlike self‐propagating action potentials, VPs can be measured beyond regions of dead or chemically treated tissue that block signal generation, suggesting a different mode of propagation. Two alternative propagation mechanisms have been proposed: movement of a chemical agent and a pressure wave through the vasculature. Variants of these two signalling mechanisms have been suggested. Here, we use simple models of the underlying physical processes to evaluate and compare these predictions against independent data. Our models suggest that chemical diffusion and pressure waves are unlikely to capture existing data with parameters that are known from other sources. The previously discarded hypothesis of mass flow in the xylem transporting a chemical agent, however, is able to reproduce experimental propagation speeds for VPs. We therefore suggest that chemical agents transported by mass flow within the xylem are more likely than a pressure wave or chemical diffusion as a VP propagation mechanism. Understanding this mode of long‐distance signalling within plants is important for unravelling how plants coordinate physiological responses via cell‐to‐cell communication.
Social Networks and Labor Markets: How Strong Ties Relate to Job Finding on Facebook’s Social Network

Social networks are important for finding jobs, but which ties are most useful? Granovetter has suggested that “weak ties” are more valuable than “strong ties,” since strong ties have redundant information, while weak ties have new information. Using 6 million Facebook users’ data, we find evidence for the opposite. We proxy for job help by identifying people who eventually work with a pre-existing friend. Using objective tie strength measures and our job help proxy, we find that most people are helped through one of their numerous weak ties but a single stronger tie is significantly more valuable at the margin.
Reconstructing Tropical Pacific Sea Level Variability for the Period 1961–2002 Using a Linear Multimode Model

Monthly mean sea level anomalies in the tropical Pacific for the period 1961-2002 are reconstructed using a linear, multi-mode model driven by monthly mean wind stress anomalies from the NCEP/NCAR and ERA-40 reanalysis products. Overall, the sea level anomalies reconstructed by both wind stress products agree well with the available tide gauge data, although with poor performance at Kanton Island in the western-central equatorial Pacific and reduced amplitude at Christmas Island. The reduced performance is related to model error in locating the pivot point in sea level variability associated with the so-called “tilt” mode. We present evidence that the pivot point was further west during the period 1993-2014 than during the period 1961-2002 and attribute this to a persistent upward trend in the zonal wind stress variance along the equator west of 160° W throughout the period 1961-2014. Experiments driven by the zonal component of the wind stress alone reproduce much of the trend in sea level found in the experiments driven by both components of the wind stress. The experiments show an upward trend in sea level in the eastern tropical Pacific over the period 1961-2002, but with a much stronger upward trend when using the NCEP/NCAR product. We argue that the latter is related to an overly strong eastward trend in zonal wind stress in the eastern-central Pacific that is believed to be a spurious feature of the NCEP/NCAR product.
Molecular MIMO communication link

In this demonstration, we will present the world's first molecular multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication link to deliver two data streams in a spatial domain. We show that chemical signals such as concentration gradients could be used in MIMO fashion to transfer sequential data. Until now it was unclear whether MIMO techniques, which are used extensively in modern radio communication, could be applied to molecular communication. In the demonstration, using our devised MIMO apparatus and carefully designed detection algorithm, we will show that we can achieve about 1.7 times higher data rate than single input single output (SISO) molecular communication systems.
Mixed‐Mode Strain Localization Generated by Hydration Reaction at Crustal Conditions

Hydration reactions influence rock density and rheology. For example, volume increases produced in hydration reactions may generate sufficient tensile and shear stress to fracture both the rock undergoing the reaction and the surrounding host rock. We performed in situ dynamic X‐ray synchrotron microtomography experiments to investigate reaction‐induced fracturing. Two experiments on hydration of periclase were performed at 180 or 190 °C, under a confinement of 10 or 80 MPa, a pore fluid pressure of 5 or 75 MPa, and with or without differential stress. The sample assembly consists of a periclase cylinder inserted into a central hole within a serpentinite cylinder. The reaction from periclase to brucite results in a large volume increase (110%), pushing the periclase/brucite against the serpentinite and ultimately breaking it. Using time‐resolved three‐dimensional imaging, we quantify the spatial and temporal distribution of the reaction‐induced fractures. We perform digital volume correlation analysis to obtain the incremental strain tensors throughout the hydration and fracturing process. We use numerical models to assess the distribution of stress within the serpentinite. The digital volume correlation results show mixed‐mode strain localization. The von Mises strain, indicative of shear, increases by a larger percentage than the contractive or dilatative strain components as the reaction‐induced fractures grow. The distribution of von Mises strain follows a power law relationship in the cumulative frequency‐magnitude domain, indicative of long‐range elastic stress interactions during fracturing. This experimental finding sheds insights on the mechanisms of microseismicity measured in areas undergoing active serpentinization.
Oral administration of IL-12 suppresses anaphylactic reactions in a murine model of peanut hypersensitivity.

There is no satisfactory therapeutic intervention for peanut allergy, which accounts for most life-threatening food allergic reactions. Since IL-12 has been found to inhibit allergic airway responses in a mouse model of asthma and to cure Th2 cytokine-mediated murine schistosomiasis, we hypothesized that IL-12 treatment might also inhibit peanut allergic reactions. Consequently, we investigated the effects of oral IL-12 treatment in a murine model of peanut allergy and found that oral administration of liposome encapsulated rIL-12 could both prevent and reverse peanut hypersensitivity and could reduce histamine release, peanut-specific serum IgE and IgG1, and fecal IgA levels. Oral IL-12 treatment also increased IFN-gamma but did not decrease IL-4 or IL-5 levels. We conclude that oral rIL-12 treatment has therapeutic as well as preventive effects on peanut allergy, which are associated with increased IFN-gamma production.
Leishmania chitinase facilitates colonization of sand fly vectors and enhances transmission to mice

Chitinases of trypanosomatid parasites have been proposed to fulfil various roles in their blood‐feeding arthropod vectors but so far none have been directly tested using a molecular approach. We characterized the ability of Leishmania mexicana episomally transfected with LmexCht1 (the L. mexicana chitinase gene) to survive and grow within the permissive sand fly vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis. Compared with control plasmid transfectants, the overexpression of chitinase was found to increase the average number of parasites per sand fly and accelerate the escape of parasites from the peritrophic matrix‐enclosed blood meal as revealed by earlier arrival at the stomodeal valve. Such flies also exhibited increased damage to the structure of the stomodeal valve, which may facilitate transmission by regurgitation. When exposed individually to BALB/c mice, those flies with chitinase‐overexpressing parasites spent on average 2.4–2.5 times longer in contact with their host during feeding, compared with flies with control infections. Furthermore, the lesions that resulted from these single fly bite infections were both significantly larger and with higher final parasite burdens than controls. These data show that chitinase is a multifunctional virulence factor for L. mexicana which assists its survival in Lu. longipalpis. Specifically, this enzyme enables the parasites to colonize the anterior midgut of the sand fly more quickly, modify the sand fly stomodeal valve and affect its blood feeding, all of which combine to enhance transmission.
A Priority Control Method for Media Access Control Method SP-MAC to Improve Throughput of Bidirectional Flows

In IEEE802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), frame collisions occur drastically when the number of wireless terminals connecting to the same Access Point (AP) increases. It causes the decrease of the total throughput of all terminals. To solve this issue, the authors have proposed a new media access control (MAC) method, Synchronized Phase MAC (SP-MAC), based on the synchronization phenomena of coupled oscillators. We have addressed the network environment in which only uplink flows from the wireless terminal to an AP exist. However, it is necessary to take into consideration of the real network environment in which uplink and downlink flows are generated simultaneously. If many bidirectional data flows exist in the WLAN, the AP receives many frames from both uplink and downlink by collision avoidance of SP-MAC. As a result, the total throughput decreases by buffer overflow in the AP. In this paper, we propose a priority control method based on SP-MAC for avoiding the buffer overflow in the AP under the bidirectional environment. Also, we show that the proposed method has an effect for improving buffer overflow in the AP and total throughput by the simulation. key words: wireless LAN, media access control, synchronization phenomena of coupled oscillators, Kuramoto-model, priority
Mild renal insufficiency is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality: The Hoorn Study.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular mortality is extremely high in end-stage renal disease. Cardiovascular mortality risk also is increased in selected (high-risk) individuals with mild to moderate impairment of renal function. It is not clear whether a similar association exists in the general population and, if so, through what mechanisms. We investigated the association of renal function with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a population-based cohort and explored potential mechanisms underlying any such relationship. METHODS An age-, sex-, and glucose-tolerance-stratified sample (N = 631) of a population-based cohort aged 50 to 75 years was followed prospectively. After up to 10.2 years of follow-up, 117 subjects had died (50 of cardiovascular causes). At baseline, renal function was estimated by the serum creatinine level, the Cockcroft-Gault formula and Levey's equation. RESULTS At baseline, the mean age was 64 +/- 7 years, 48% were men, 55% had hypertension, and 27% (by design) had type 2 diabetes. Serum creatinine was 91.7 +/- 19.0 micromol/L; creatinine clearance as estimated by the Cockroft-Gault formula was 72.5 +/- 13.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by Levey's equation was 67.8 +/- 12.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Renal function was inversely associated with all-cause and with cardiovascular mortality. Relative risks (95% confidence intervals) were 1.08 (1.04 to 1.13) and 1.11 (1.07 to 1.16) per 5 micromol/L increase of serum creatinine; 1.07 (0.98 to 1.17) and 1.15 (1.01 to 1.31) for each decrease of 5 mL/min/1.73 m(2) creatinine clearance; and 1.15 (1.05 to 1.26) and 1.26 (1.12 to 1.42) for each decrease of 5 mL/min/1.73 m(2) of GFR. These associations remained after adjusting for age, sex, glucose tolerance status, hypertension, prior cardiovascular disease, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine, (micro)albuminuria, von Willebrand factor, soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 and C-reactive protein. Analyses in diabetic and hypertensive subjects gave similar results. CONCLUSION Mild to moderate loss of renal function is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. The mechanism behind this association is unclear but does not appear to involve common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes or hyperhomocysteinemia. Estimation of renal function by relatively simple methods therefore may be a valuable tool for cardiovascular risk assessment over and above that provided by conventional risk factors. Our results were obtained in a general middle-aged to elderly population, and thus have broad applicability.
Pingo-Like Remnants in the Peltojärvi Area of Finnish Lapland

Some till ridges found in Finnish Lapland are described. They are 0.5-4.5 m high, and circular, open semi-circular or elongated in shape. The circles vary from 30 to 150 m in diameter. The material in the rims is sandy till with blocks in it. The orientations of the stones were examined in one circle. The rock types were also determined. Some observations on the stratigraphy and the thickness of the soil horizons are presented. The origin and dating of ridges are discussed at the end of the paper. The formations have been interpreted as remnants of collapsed pingos.
A protection circuit for HBT RF Power Amplifier under load mismatch conditions

This paper investigates the radiofrequency failure mechanisms of power amplifier (PA) integrated in an HBT technology, and proposes a circuit solution for PA protection against impedance mismatches. It exposes the failure mechanisms that occur when a PA under extreme conditions (high battery voltage and high input power) is exposed to impedance mismatches at its output. Protection against high voltage operation is addressed by integrating a parallel base resistor which increases significantly emitter collector breakdown. A current sensor is then associated to a feedback loop on the PA biasing circuit that operates when the PA is in high dissipated power conditions by limiting the collector current. These protections are easily implemented on the PA die without any extra area. Experiments confirm the effectiveness of these principles: the protection is indexed on the collector supply voltage and acts for all output loads leading to VSWR up to 1 0:1, whereas output power and power efficiency on a 50 Omega load are not affected.
Venom Gland Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of the Enigmatic Scorpion Superstitionia donensis (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae), with Insights on the Evolution of Its Venom Components

Venom gland transcriptomic and proteomic analyses have improved our knowledge on the diversity of the heterogeneous components present in scorpion venoms. However, most of these studies have focused on species from the family Buthidae. To gain insights into the molecular diversity of the venom components of scorpions belonging to the family Superstitioniidae, one of the neglected scorpion families, we performed a transcriptomic and proteomic analyses for the species Superstitionia donensis. The total mRNA extracted from the venom glands of two specimens was subjected to massive sequencing by the Illumina protocol, and a total of 219,073 transcripts were generated. We annotated 135 transcripts putatively coding for peptides with identity to known venom components available from different protein databases. Fresh venom collected by electrostimulation was analyzed by LC-MS/MS allowing the identification of 26 distinct components with sequences matching counterparts from the transcriptomic analysis. In addition, the phylogenetic affinities of the found putative calcins, scorpines, La1-like peptides and potassium channel κ toxins were analyzed. The first three components are often reported as ubiquitous in the venom of different families of scorpions. Our results suggest that, at least calcins and scorpines, could be used as molecular markers in phylogenetic studies of scorpion venoms.
Association Between Cell-Free Hemoglobin, Acetaminophen, and Mortality in Patients With Sepsis: An Observational Study*

Objective:To determine the association of circulating cell-free hemoglobin with poor clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis and to characterize the potential protective effects of acetaminophen, an inhibitor of hemoprotein-mediated oxidation. Design:Retrospective observational study. Patients:A total of 391 critically ill patients with sepsis in multiple ICUs in an academic tertiary care hospital. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Nonsurvivors had significantly higher plasma cell-free hemoglobin concentrations (median 20mg/dL, interquartile range 10–40) measured on enrollment compared to survivors (10mg/dL, interquartile range 10–30, p = 0.002). After controlling for potential confounders, patients with higher cell-free hemoglobin concentrations were significantly more likely to die in the hospital (odds ratio 1.078, 95% confidence interval 1.012–1.149, p = 0.02). In addition, receiving acetaminophen in the setting of increased cell-free hemoglobin was independently associated with a protective effect against death (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.91, p = 0.026) and lower plasma concentrations of the lipid peroxidation product F2-isoprostanes (18.5 pg/mL, interquartile range 9–22.2) compared to no acetaminophen (42 pg/mL, interquartile range 29.7–86, p = 0.009). Conclusions:In critically ill patients with sepsis, elevated concentrations of circulating cell-free hemoglobin are independently associated with an increased risk of death. Acetaminophen may exert a protective effect by reducing cell-free hemoglobin-induced oxidative injury.