Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wavelet Block Thresholding for Non-Gaussian Errors

Wavelet thresholding generally assumes independent, identically distributed normal errors when estimating functions in a nonparametric regression setting. VisuShrink and SureShrink are just two of the many common thresholding methods based on this assumption. When the errors are not normally distributed, however, few methods have been proposed. In this paper, a distribution-free method for thresholding wavelet coefficients in nonparametric regression is described. Unlike some other non-normal error thresholding methods, the proposed method does not assume the form of the nonnormal distribution is known. We improve upon an existing even-odd cross-validation method by employing block thresholding and level dependence. The efficiency of the proposed method on a variety of non-normal errors, including comparisons to existing wavelet threshold estimators, is shown on both simulated and real data.
Effects of astaxanthin on antioxidation in human aqueous humor

We evaluated the antioxidative effects of astaxanthin through the changes in superoxide scavenging activity, levels of hydrogen peroxide and total hydroperoxides in human aqueous humor. The study subjects were 35 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery on one side before and the other side after intake of astaxanthin (6 mg/day for 2 weeks). Their aqueous humor was taken during the surgery and subjected to measurements of the three parameters. After astaxanthin intake, the superoxide scavenging activity was significantly (p<0.05) elevated, while the level of total hydroperoxides was significantly (p<0.05) lowered. There was a significant negative correlation between the superoxide scavenging activity and the level of total hydroperoxides (r = −0.485, p<0.01), but no correlations between the hydrogen peroxide level and the other two parameters. Astaxanthin intake clearly enhanced the superoxide scavenging activity and suppressed the total hydroperoxides production in human aqueous humor, indicating the possibility that astaxanthin has suppressive effects on various oxidative stress-related diseases.
Functions of volume‐sensitive and calcium‐activated chloride channels

The review describes molecular and functional properties of the volume regulated anion channel and Ca2+‐dependent Cl− channels belonging to the anoctamin family with emphasis on physiological importance of these channels in regulation of cell volume, cell migration, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death. Finally, we discuss the role of Cl− channels in various diseases. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(4):257–267, 2014
A Study on Hardened State Properties of SCC Using Fly Ash and Blended Fine Aggregate

The aim of this research is to investigate hardened state properties of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) containing low calcium based fly ash. The mixtures were prepared using various proportions of Class F fly ash ranging from 0% to 30% cement replacement. Water to powder ratio is 0.38 – 0.39 and powder content was kept constant at 540 kg/m3. Properties investigated were strength properties (compressive strength and splitting tensile strength), and durability properties (complete immersion water absorption, apparent volume of permeable voids (AVPV), sorptivity, and RCIPT tests. These tests were done at various days. Results showed that fly ash replacement of up to 30% gave acceptable strength and durability properties for medium strength SCC.
Generating compact, guaranteed passive reduced-order models of 3-D RLC interconnects

As very large scale integration (VLSI) circuit speeds and density continue to increase, the need to accurately model the effects of three-dimensional (3-D) interconnects has become essential for reliable chip and system design and verification. Since such models are commonly used inside standard circuit simulators for time or frequency domain computations, it is imperative that they be kept compact without compromising accuracy, and also retain relevant physical properties of the original system, such as passivity. In this paper, we describe an approach to generate accurate, compact, and guaranteed passive models of RLC interconnects and packaging structures. The procedure is based on a partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC)-like approach to modeling the impedance of interconnect structures accounting for both the charge accumulation on the surface of conductors and the current traveling in their interior. The resulting formulation, based on nodal or mixed nodal and mesh analysis, enables the application of existing model order reduction techniques. Compactness and passivity of the model are then ensured with a two-step reduction procedure where Krylov-subspace moment-matching methods are followed by a recently proposed, nearly optimal, passive truncated balanced realization-like algorithm. The proposed approach was used for extracting passive models for several industrial examples, whose accuracy was validated both in the frequency domain as well as against measured time-domain data.
Effect of reprocessing on mechanical properties of short glass fibre reinforced styrene maleic anhydride

Abstract The effect of reprocessing by injection moulding on the mechanical properties of styrene maleic anhydride composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 wt-% short glass fibres has been studied. The study revealed that matrix properties related to the breaking point were significantly reduced by reprocessing. The observed reduction in the property values of the matrix material was attributed to the reduction in ductility caused by the molecular weight degradation. For the composites, almost all measured properties were reduced as a consequence of reprocessing. The strength and modulus of the composite were found to be linear functions of both the average length and the concentration of the fibres in the composite. The reduction in composite property values was attributed mainly to the degradation of fibres during each reprocessing cycle. Using a modified rule of mixtures, values of the overall efficiency parameter for strength and modulus were estimated and found to decrease as the number of reprocessing cycles was increased. This reduction in the overall efficiency parameters was mainly due to fibre breakage, occurring at each reprocessing cycle.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viral markers in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Singapore.

The prevalence of hepatitis B and C serological markers were studied in 55 patients (45 males and 10 females) with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). Their ages ranged from 28 years to 79 years (mean age: 56 years). Fifty-five other patients with non-hepatic diseases were used as age and sex matched controls. Forty-one PHC patients (74%) had chronic hepatitis B infection alone, 5 patients (9%) had chronic hepatitis C infection alone, 6 patients (11%) had chronic hepatitis B and C co-infection, 2 patients (4%) had evidence of previous exposure to HBV and one patient (2%) had no hepatitis B and C serological markers. Among those patients with chronic HBV infection alone, the commonest serological pattern was HBsAg and anti-HBe positive (66%; 27/41) followed by HBsAg and HBeAg positive (i.e. highly HBV infectious group) (24%; 10/41). All the positivity rate for HBsAg (including co-infection with HBV and HCV) was 85% and all the positivity rate for anti-HCV (including co-infection with HBV and HCV) was 20%. In the control group, positivity rate for HBsAg was 13%(7/55). None of the control sera was positive for anti-HCV. Positivity rates for HBsAg and anti-HCV were significantly higher in the 55 PHC cases than in controls. The odds ratio for HBsAg was 40.3 (p value: < 0.001) (95% CI limits: 12.1 to 143.3) and for anti-HCV was indeterminate.
Stent deformation following simulated side‐branch dilatation: A comparison of five stent designs

We aimed to determine the effects of simulated stent side‐branch dilatation and subsequent redilatation of the central lumen. Following coronary stent implantation it may be necessary to dilate through the side of a stent to maintain branch patency. Branch dilatation through the side of 3.5‐mm‐diameter stents (AVE GFX, beStent, Crown, MultiLink, and NIR) was simulated in a plexiglass phantom using 2.5‐, 3.0‐, 3.5‐, and 4.0‐mm balloons. In further experiments, the main lumen was redilated with a 3.5‐mm balloon after 3.0‐mm side‐branch dilatation. Thereafter, a 3.5‐mm central and a 3.0‐mm side‐branch balloon were simultaneously inflated (“kissing balloons”). The larger the balloon size used for side‐branch dilatation, the greater the distortion of the stent immediately distal to the side‐branch, which for a 4.0‐mm balloon ranged from 36% ± 2% (Crown) to 65% ± 6% (NIR). Central lumen redilatation or kissing balloons abolished this stenosis with little reduction of the side‐lumen diameter. The main stent lumen compromise caused by side‐branch dilatation can be abolished by main‐lumen redilatation or by kissing balloons. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:258–264, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the likelihood and mechanism of a climate-change-induced dieback of the Amazon rainforest

We examine the evidence for the possibility that 21st-century climate change may cause a large-scale “dieback” or degradation of Amazonian rainforest. We employ a new framework for evaluating the rainfall regime of tropical forests and from this deduce precipitation-based boundaries for current forest viability. We then examine climate simulations by 19 global climate models (GCMs) in this context and find that most tend to underestimate current rainfall. GCMs also vary greatly in their projections of future climate change in Amazonia. We attempt to take into account the differences between GCM-simulated and observed rainfall regimes in the 20th century. Our analysis suggests that dry-season water stress is likely to increase in E. Amazonia over the 21st century, but the region tends toward a climate more appropriate to seasonal forest than to savanna. These seasonal forests may be resilient to seasonal drought but are likely to face intensified water stress caused by higher temperatures and to be vulnerable to fires, which are at present naturally rare in much of Amazonia. The spread of fire ignition associated with advancing deforestation, logging, and fragmentation may act as nucleation points that trigger the transition of these seasonal forests into fire-dominated, low biomass forests. Conversely, deliberate limitation of deforestation and fire may be an effective intervention to maintain Amazonian forest resilience in the face of imposed 21st-century climate change. Such intervention may be enough to navigate E. Amazonia away from a possible “tipping point,” beyond which extensive rainforest would become unsustainable.
Perk Gene Dosage Regulates Glucose Homeostasis by Modulating Pancreatic β-Cell Functions

Background Insulin synthesis and cell proliferation are under tight regulation in pancreatic β-cells to maintain glucose homeostasis. Dysfunction in either aspect leads to development of diabetes. PERK (EIF2AK3) loss of function mutations in humans and mice exhibit permanent neonatal diabetes that is characterized by insufficient β-cell mass and reduced proinsulin trafficking and insulin secretion. Unexpectedly, we found that Perk heterozygous mice displayed lower blood glucose levels. Methodology Longitudinal studies were conducted to assess serum glucose and insulin, intracellular insulin synthesis and storage, insulin secretion, and β-cell proliferation in Perk heterozygous mice. In addition, modulation of Perk dosage specifically in β-cells showed that the glucose homeostasis phenotype of Perk heterozygous mice is determined by reduced expression of PERK in the β-cells. Principal Findings We found that Perk heterozygous mice first exhibited enhanced insulin synthesis and secretion during neonatal and juvenile development followed by enhanced β-cell proliferation and a substantial increase in β-cell mass at the adult stage. These differences are not likely to entail the well-known function of PERK to regulate the ER stress response in cultured cells as several markers for ER stress were not differentially expressed in Perk heterozygous mice. Conclusions In addition to the essential functions of PERK in β-cells as revealed by severely diabetic phenotype in humans and mice completely deficient for PERK, reducing Perk gene expression by half showed that intermediate levels of PERK have a profound impact on β-cell functions and glucose homeostasis. These results suggest that an optimal level of PERK expression is necessary to balance several parameters of β-cell function and growth in order to achieve normoglycemia.
Efficient production of mesencephalic dopamine neurons by Lmx1a expression in embryonic stem cells

Signaling factors involved in CNS development have been used to control the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into mesencephalic dopamine (mesDA) neurons, but tend to generate a limited yield of desired cell type. Here we show that forced expression of Lmx1a, a transcription factor functioning as a determinant of mesDA neurons during embryogenesis, effectively can promote the generation of mesDA neurons from mouse and human ESCs. Under permissive culture conditions, 75%–95% of mouse ESC-derived neurons express molecular and physiological properties characteristic of bona fide mesDA neurons. Similar to primary mesDA neurons, these cells integrate and innervate the striatum of 6-hydroxy dopamine lesioned neonatal rats. Thus, the enriched generation of functional mesDA neurons by forced expression of Lmx1a may be of future importance in cell replacement therapy of Parkinson disease.
The Luminosity and Mass Function of the Trapezium Cluster: From B Stars to the Deuterium-burning Limit

We use the results of a new multiepoch, multiwavelength, near-infrared census of the Trapezium cluster in Orion to construct and analyze the structure of its infrared (K-band) luminosity function. Specifically, we employ an improved set of model luminosity functions to derive this cluster's underlying initial mass function (IMF) across the entire range of mass from OB stars to substellar objects down to near the deuterium-burning limit. We derive an IMF for the Trapezium cluster that rises with decreasing mass, having a Salpeter-like IMF slope until near ~0.6 M☉ where the IMF flattens and forms a broad peak extending to the hydrogen-burning limit, below which the IMF declines into the substellar regime. Independent of the details, we find that substellar objects account for no more than ~22% of the total number of likely cluster members. Further, the substellar Trapezium IMF breaks from a steady power-law decline and forms a significant secondary peak at the lowest masses (10-20 times the mass of Jupiter). This secondary peak may contain as many as ~30% of the substellar objects in the cluster. Below this substellar IMF peak, our K-band luminosity function (KLF) modeling requires a subsequent sharp decline toward the planetary mass regime. Lastly, we investigate the robustness of pre-main-sequence luminosity evolution as predicted by current evolutionary models, and we discuss possible origins for the IMF of brown dwarfs.
Hidden Complications of Thought Suppression

Although the suppression of thoughts may seem to be an effective solution when thoughts are unwanted, this strategy can lead to a recurrence of the very thought that one is attempting to suppress. This ironic effect is the most obvious unwanted outcome of suppression and has been investigated empirically for more than two decades. However, even when suppression does not lead to an ironic rebound of the unwanted thought, it puts an insidious cognitive load on the individual attempting to suppress. Moreover, whether or not suppression leads to an exacerbation of the unwanted thought, it is rarely successful, and hence adds to the individual's distress. In this article we describe the consequences of suppression and consider how it might complicate a range of emotional disorders. Taken together, studies on thought suppression in psychopathology present a more nuanced picture now than was emerging in the early years of its investigation. Some evidence is consistent with the idea that the counterproductive eff.
New Combinatorial Complete One-Way Functions

In 2003, Leonid A. Levin presented the idea of a combinatorial complete one-way function and a sketch of the proof that Tiling represents such a function. In this paper, we present two new one-way functions based on semi-Thue string rewriting systems and a version of the Post Correspondence Problem and prove their completeness. Besides, we present an alternative proof of Levin's result. We also discuss the properties a combinatorial problem should have in order to hold a complete one-way function.
Liver cirrhosis leads to poorer survival in patients with end-stage renal disease

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is an important problem in patients withend-stage renal disease (ESRD). Few studies have investigated the inf luence ofLC on mortality in patients with ESRD. This study investigated the associationbetween LC and mortality among patients with ESRD and compare mortality betweentwo dialysis modalities. Methods: Adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) starting dialysis for ESRD were enrolledin the present study from 2000 to 2011. We analyzed 1,069 patients withESRD; of these, 742 patients were undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and 327 patientswere undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Results: The prevalence of LC was 44 of 1,069 patients (4.1%). The cumulative 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of noncirrhotic patients were 93%, 83%, and 73%, respectively,whereas the equivalent survival rates of cirrhotic patients were 90%,68%, and 48%, respectively (p = 0.011). After adjustment, LC was an independentrisk factor for death in patients with ESRD. No difference in mortality associatedwith LC was found between the HD and PD subgroups. Conclusions: Of the patients with ESRD, cirrhotic patients had poorer survivalthan noncirrhotic patients. Among patients with ESRD and LC, survival of patientsundergoing PD may be comparable with that of patients undergoing HD.
Procedural Help in Andes: Generating Hints Using a Bayesian Network Student Model

One of the most important problems for an intelligent tutoring system is deciding how to respond when a student asks for help. Responding cooperatively requires an understanding of both what solution path the student is pursuing, and the student's current level of domain knowledge. Andes, an intelligent tutoring system for Newtonian physics, refers to a probabilistic student model to make decisions about responding to help requests. Andes' student model uses a Bayesian network that computes a probabilistic assessment of three kinds of information: (I) the student's general knowledge about physics, (2) the student's specific knowledge about the current problem, and (3) the abstract plans that the student may be pursuing to solve the problem. Using this model, Andes provides feedback and hints tailored to the student's knowledge and goals.
Breed differences in mucosal and systemic antibody response to nematode infection in sheep: an important role for IgE?

SUMMARY This study compared the immunological and biochemical responses of co-grazed Suffolk and Texel lambs to a natural gastrointestinal nematode infection. Variables analysed included serum pepsinogen, total protein, albumin, haematological variables and nematode-specific serum immunoglobulin activity, at 11, 14 and 17 weeks of age. At 17 weeks, randomly selected lambs were necropsied to determine worm burdens, nematode-specific mucosal abomasal and intestinal immunoglobulin activity. Nematode burden, faecal egg count and pepsinogen concentrations were significantly higher in Suffolks relative to Texels, at all 3 time-points investigated. Suffolks displayed significantly higher erythrocyte, total leukocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, mean cell volume and packed cell volume, than Texels (P<0·01). However, breed differences in eosinophil counts were not significant. While serum nematode-specific antibody activity levels were significantly higher (P<0·001) in Texels for all isotypes measured, antibody activity levels at a mucosal level were equivalent in both breeds. Correlation analysis of mucosal antibody levels and nematode variables highlighted a more consistent pattern of events in Texels, with more mucosal antibodies negatively correlated with FEC and worm burden, in comparison to Suffolks. In particular, an important role for mucosal IgE is proposed. In Texels, a significant and negative correlation was identified between IgE and faecal egg counts and worm burden (FEC: −0·48, P<0·005). This was not observed in Suffolks. The evidence suggests that susceptibility in Suffolks may be mediated through poor IgE affinity/avidity and/or through deficiencies in related mechanisms such as mast cell production, recruitment or activation.
InterEvScore: a novel coarse-grained interface scoring function using a multi-body statistical potential coupled to evolution

MOTIVATION Structural prediction of protein interactions currently remains a challenging but fundamental goal. In particular, progress in scoring functions is critical for the efficient discrimination of near-native interfaces among large sets of decoys. Many functions have been developed using knowledge-based potentials, but few make use of multi-body interactions or evolutionary information, although multi-residue interactions are crucial for protein-protein binding and protein interfaces undergo significant selection pressure to maintain their interactions. RESULTS This article presents InterEvScore, a novel scoring function using a coarse-grained statistical potential including two- and three-body interactions, which provides each residue with the opportunity to contribute in its most favorable local structural environment. Combination of this potential with evolutionary information considerably improves scoring results on the 54 test cases from the widely used protein docking benchmark for which evolutionary information can be collected. We analyze how our way to include evolutionary information gradually increases the discriminative power of InterEvScore. Comparison with several previously published scoring functions (ZDOCK, ZRANK and SPIDER) shows the significant progress brought by InterEvScore. AVAILABILITY http://biodev.cea.fr/interevol/interevscore CONTACT guerois@cea.fr SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Structural details of anthrax spores during stages of transformation into vegetative cells.

Moberly, Betty J. (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), F. Shafa, and Philipp Gerhardt. Structural details of anthrax spores during stages of transformation into vegetative cells. J. Bacteriol. 92:220-228. 1966. -Anthrax spores in stages of dormancy, activation, germination, and outgrowth into vegetative cells were examined in an electron microscope. The fine structure proved to be much like that observed in related species of Bacillus, except for a visible alteration after heat activation and clusters of vesicle-like bodies in the cytoplasm of vegetative cells.