Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Renal Medullary Heme Oxygenase in the Regulation of Pressure Natriuresis and Arterial Blood Pressure

Recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of renal medullary heme oxygenase (HO) activity and carbon monoxide (CO) significantly decreases renal medullary blood flow and sodium excretion. Given the crucial role of renal medullary blood flow in the control of pressure natriuresis, the present study was designed to determine whether renal medullary HO activity and resulting CO production participate in the regulation of pressure natriuresis and thereby the long-term control of arterial blood pressure. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, increases in renal perfusion pressure induced significant elevations of CO concentrations in the renal medulla. Renal medullary infusion of chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP), an inhibitor of HO activity, remarkably inhibited HO activity and the renal perfusion pressure-dependent increases in CO levels in the renal medulla and significantly blunted pressure natriuresis. In conscious Sprague-Dawley rats, continuous infusion of CrMP into the renal medulla significantly increased mean arterial pressure (129±2.5 mm Hg in CrMP group versus 118±1.6 mm Hg in vehicle group) when animals were fed a normal salt diet (1% NaCl). After rats were switched to a high-salt diet (8% NaCl) for 10 days, CrMP-treated animals exhibited further increases in mean arterial pressure compared with CrMP-treated animals that were kept on normal salt diet (152±4.1 versus 130±4.2 mm Hg). These results suggest that renal medullary HO activity plays a crucial role in the control of pressure natriuresis and arterial blood pressure and that impairment of this HO/CO-mediated antihypertensive mechanism in the renal medulla may result in the development of hypertension.
Comparative study of Emdogain and coronally advanced flap technique in the treatment of human gingival recessions. A prospective controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES Various surgical techniques have been proposed for coverage of denuded root surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate a comparison of coronally repositioned flap procedure with or without the use of enamel matrix proteins in the treatment of recession defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was an intra-individual longitudinal test of 12 months duration conducted as a blinded, split-mouth, placebo-controlled and randomised design. It was performed in 2 dental schools. 36 patients, aged 22-62 years, with 2 paired buccal recession defects of at least 3 mm participated. Surgical recession coverage was performed as coronally-advanced flap technique at both sites in the same session. One site was additionally treated with commercially-available enamel matrix proteins (Emdogain) and the other site with placebo (propylene glycol alginate) in accordance with the randomisation list. A blinded examiner assessed pre- and post-surgical measurements. Clinical measurements and photographs were taken pre-surgically and after 1 week, 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, postoperatively. Measurements comprised height and width of the gingival recession, height of keratinized tissue, probing attachment level, probing pocket depth and alveolar bone level by periodontal probe, Florida Probe or caliper to the nearest 0.5 mm. RESULTS 12 months after therapy, both treatment modalities showed significant root coverage and probing attachment gain. Gingival recession decreased from 3.7 mm to 0.8 mm for the Emdogain treated sites and from 3.9 mm to 1.0 mm for the control sites, corresponding to mean root coverages of 80% and 79%, respectively. This difference was not significant. With the exception of keratinized tissue gain, which was significantly higher (p=0.003) in the Emdogain group, all other clinical variables were not different in the between-group comparison. CONCLUSIONS As the additional use of Emdogain together with coronally advanced flap technique for recession coverage showed no difference in the overall clinical outcome, there is no clear benefit to combine Emdogain with this surgical technique.
Summary graphs for relational database schemas

Increasingly complex databases need ever more sophisticated tools to help users understand their schemas and interact with the data. Existing tools fall short of either providing the "big picture," or of presenting useful connectivity information. In this paper we define summary graphs, a novel approach for summarizing schemas. Given a set of user-specified query tables, the summary graph automatically computes the most relevant tables and joins for that query set. The output preserves the most informative join paths between the query tables, while meeting size constraints. In the process, we define a novel information-theoretic measure over join edges. Unlike most subgraph extraction work, we allow metaedges (i.e., edges in the transitive closure) to help reduce output complexity. We prove that the problem is NP-Hard, and solve it as an integer program. Our extensive experimental study shows that our method returns high-quality summaries under independent quality measures.
Concurrent Error Detection for Orthogonal Latin Squares Encoders and Syndrome Computation

Error correction codes (ECCs) are commonly used to protect memories against errors. Among ECCs, orthogonal latin squares (OLS) codes have gained renewed interest for memory protection due to their modularity and the simplicity of the decoding algorithm that enables low delay implementations. An important issue is that when ECCs are used, the encoder and decoder circuits can also suffer errors. In this brief, a concurrent error detection technique for OLS codes encoders and syndrome computation is proposed and evaluated. The proposed method uses the properties of OLS codes to efficiently implement a parity prediction scheme that detects all errors that affect a single circuit node.
Physical optics-based electromagnetic bias theory with surface height-slope cross-correlation and hydrodynamic modulation

An electromagnetic (EM) bias model for microwave frequencies is derived using the physical optics scattering approximation with a sea surface model that includes the effects of hydrodynamic modulation and non-Gaussian long-wave statistics. Correlation of long-wave slopes with displacement and hydrodynamic modulation of short-wave amplitudes are the two major contributors to the EM bias. The fact that the bias is caused by physical processes with different dependencies on frequency and sea state parameters accounts for some of the difficulties encountered with previous bias modeling efforts. The frequency dependence of the bias is weak because the trends of the hydrodynamic and height-slope skewness contributions with respect to frequency are in opposition. The model provides theoretical support for previous empirical observations of weak correlation of relative bias with wind speed and strong correlation with root-mean-square long-wave slope. While the presence of wind-generated small-wave roughness is crucial to the portion of the bias caused by hydrodynamic modulation, the magnitude of the bias thus induced is largely independent of local wind speed. The bias model is validated by comparison to measured data from two tower radar experiments, the Gulf of Mexico experiment (1991-1992) and the Brigham Young University off-nadir experiment (2003). Both quantitative and qualitative agreements between model and measurements are observed.
Predicting risk of COPD in primary care: development and validation of a clinical risk score

Objectives To develop and validate a clinical risk score to identify patients at risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using clinical factors routinely recorded in primary care. Design Case–control study of patients containing one incident COPD case to two controls matched on age, sex and general practice. Candidate risk factors were included in a conditional logistic regression model to produce a clinical score. Accuracy of the score was estimated on a separate external validation sample derived from 20 purposively selected practices. Setting UK general practices enrolled in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (1 January 2000 to 31 March 2006). Participants Development sample included 340 practices containing 15 159 newly diagnosed COPD cases and 28 296 controls (mean age 70 years, 52% male). Validation sample included 2259 cases and 4196 controls (mean age 70 years, 50% male). Main outcome measures Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (c statistic), sensitivity and specificity in the validation practices. Results The model included four variables including smoking status, history of asthma, and lower respiratory tract infections and prescription of salbutamol in the previous 3 years. It had a high average c statistic of 0.85 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.86) and yielded a sensitivity of 63.2% (95% CI 63.1 to 63.3) and specificity 87.4% (95% CI 87.3 to 87.5). Conclusions Risk factors associated with COPD and routinely recorded in primary care have been used to develop and externally validate a new COPD risk score. This could be used to target patients for case finding.
Disruptive camouflage impairs object recognition

Whether hiding from predators, or avoiding battlefield casualties, camouflage is widely employed to prevent detection. Disruptive coloration is a seemingly well-known camouflage mechanism proposed to function by breaking up an object's salient features (for example their characteristic outline), rendering objects more difficult to recognize. However, while a wide range of animals are thought to evade detection using disruptive patterns, there is no direct experimental evidence that disruptive coloration impairs recognition. Using humans searching for computer-generated moth targets, we demonstrate that the number of edge-intersecting patches on a target reduces the likelihood of it being detected, even at the expense of reduced background matching. Crucially, eye-tracking data show that targets with more edge-intersecting patches were looked at for longer periods prior to attack, and passed-over more frequently during search tasks. We therefore show directly that edge patches enhance survivorship by impairing recognition, confirming that disruptive coloration is a distinct camouflage strategy, not simply an artefact of background matching.
The tyrosine kinase FER is responsible for the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in murine sperm

Sperm capacitation is required for fertilization. At the molecular level, this process is associated with fast activation of protein kinase A. Downstream of this event, capacitating conditions lead to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. The identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating this process has not been conclusively demonstrated. Recent experiments using stallion and human sperm have suggested a role for PYK2 based on the use of small molecule inhibitors directed against this kinase. However, crucially, loss-of-function experiments have not been reported. Here, we used both pharmacological inhibitors and genetically modified mice models to investigate the identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in mouse sperm. Similar to stallion and human, PF431396 blocks the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Yet, sperm from Pyk2−/− mice displayed a normal increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, implying that PYK2 is not responsible for this phosphorylation process. Here, we show that PF431396 can also inhibit FER, a tyrosine kinase known to be present in sperm. Sperm from mice targeted with a kinase-inactivating mutation in Fer failed to undergo capacitation-associated increases in tyrosine phosphorylation. Although these mice are fertile, their sperm displayed a reduced ability to fertilize metaphase II-arrested eggs in vitro. Highlighted article: The increase in tyrosine phosphorylation seen during sperm capacitation is mediated by the FER kinase, but this does not seem to be essential for fertilisation in vivo in mice.
‘Small Changes’ to Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors for Weight Management

Obesity is associated with numerous short- and long-term health consequences. Low levels of physical activity and poor dietary habits are consistent with an increased risk of obesity in an obesogenic environment. Relatively little research has investigated associations between eating and activity behaviors by using a systems biology approach and by considering the dynamics of the energy balance concept. A significant body of research indicates that a small positive energy balance over time is sufficient to cause weight gain in many individuals. In contrast, small changes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors can prevent weight gain. In the context of weight management, it may be more feasible for most people to make small compared to large short-term changes in diet and activity. This paper presents a case for the use of small and incremental changes in diet and physical activity for improved weight management in the context of a toxic obesogenic environment.
Asking the experts: exploring the self-management needs of adolescents with arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the self-management needs of adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the acceptability of a Web-based program of self-management aimed at improving quality of life. METHODS A descriptive qualitative design was used. A convenience sample of 36 adolescents (male and female) who varied in age, disease onset subtype, and disease severity were recruited from 4 Canadian tertiary care pediatric centers. Individual (n=25) and 3 focus-group (n=11) interviews were conducted with adolescents using semistructured interview guides. After each interview session, the audiotaped interview data were transcribed verbatim. NUD*IST 6.0 was used to assist with the sorting, organizing, and coding of the data. Data were organized into categories that reflected emerging themes. RESULTS Adolescents articulated how they developed effective self-management strategies through the process of "letting go" from others who had managed their illness (health care professionals, parents) and "gaining control" over managing their illness on their own. The 2 strategies that assisted in this process were gaining knowledge and skills to manage the disease and experiencing understanding through social support. Five further subthemes emerged around skills to manage the disease, including knowledge and awareness about the disease, listening to and challenging care providers, communicating with the doctor, managing pain, and managing emotions. CONCLUSION Adolescents were united in their call for more information, self-management strategies, and meaningful social support to better manage their arthritis. They believed that Web-based interventions were a promising avenue to improve accessibility and availability of these interventions.
Importance of equilibration time in the partitioning and toxicity of zinc in spiked sediment bioassays

The influences of spiked Zn concentrations (1–40 μmol/g) and equilibration time (˜ 95 d) on the partitioning of Zn between pore water (PW) and sediment were evaluated with estuarine sediments containing two levels (5 and 15 μmol/g) of acid volatile sulfides (AVS). Their influence on Zn bioavailability was also evaluated by a parallel, 10‐d amphipod (Leptocheirus plumulosus) mortality test at 5, 20, and 85 d of equilibration. During the equilibration, AVS increased (up to twofold) with spiked Zn concentration ([Zn]), whereas Zn‐simultaneously extracted metals ([SEM]; Zn with AVS) remained relatively constant. Concentrations of Zn in PW decreased most rapidly during the initial 30 d and by 11‐ to 23‐fold during the whole 95‐d equilibration period. The apparent partitioning coefficient (Kpw, ratio of [Zn] in SEM to PW) increased by 10‐ to 20‐fold with time and decreased with spiked [Zn] in sediments. The decrease of PW [Zn] could be explained by a combination of changes in AVS and redistribution of Zn into more insoluble phases as the sediment aged. Amphipod mortality decreased significantly with the equilibration time, consistent with decrease in dissolved [Zn]. The median lethal concentration (LC50) value (33 μM) in the second bioassay, conducted after 20 d of equilibration, was twofold the LC50 in the initial bioassay at 5 d of equilibration, probably because of the change of dissolved Zn speciation. Sediment bioassay protocols employing a short equilibration time and high spiked metal concentrations could accentuate partitioning of metals to the dissolved phase and shift the pathway for metal exposure toward the dissolved phase.
Eigenbands fusion for frontal face recognition

Face recognition is an important area of research with many applications, including biometric security and searching face databases. This article describes an approach to recognize faces using eigenbands, which aim to capture the best features from facial characteristics. Faces are divided in vertical and horizontal bands. From each band is extracted features using standard-PCA. Results show that the standard-PCA applied over vertical band faces, using Bayes classifier, was more accurate than previous methods reported on the ORL face database.
Depressive and anxiety disorders and the association with obesity, physical, and social activities

Objective: There is evidence of more obesity among persons with depressive and depressive and anxiety disorders. However, the nature and the underlying mechanisms of the association are still unclear. This study examines the association between depressive and anxiety disorders and obesity, physical activity, and social activity, and examines whether social and physical activity are potential influencing factors in the association between depressive and anxiety disorders and obesity. Method: Cross‐sectional data were used from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. A total of 1,854 women and 955 men aged 18–65 years were recruited from the community, general practices, and specialized mental health care. Depressive and anxiety disorders were determined with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Body mass index (BMI<30 kg/m2) was used to determine obesity. Physical and social activities were measured by self‐report. Results: The odds of obesity adjusted for covariates was significantly higher among those with a current pure Major Depressive Disorder (MDD;odds ratio [OR] OR:1.43; 95% CI:1.07–1.92) compared to controls. Physical activity and social activities were lower among persons with depressive and anxiety disorders compared to controls. The association between MDD and obesity was influenced by social and physical activities. Conclusion: This study confirmed a link between depressive disorders and obesity that was influenced by lower social and physical activities among the depressed. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Long Will My Mouse Live? Machine Learning Approaches for Prediction of Mouse Life Span

Abstract Prediction of individual life span based on characteristics evaluated at middle-age represents a challenging objective for aging research. In this study, we used machine learning algorithms to construct models that predict life span in a stock of genetically heterogeneous mice. Life-span prediction accuracy of 22 algorithms was evaluated using a cross-validation approach, in which models were trained and tested with distinct subsets of data. Using a combination of body weight and T-cell subset measures evaluated before 2 years of age, we show that the life-span quartile to which an individual mouse belongs can be predicted with an accuracy of 35.3% (±0.10%). This result provides a new benchmark for the development of life-span–predictive models, but improvement can be expected through identification of new predictor variables and development of computational approaches. Future work in this direction can provide tools for aging research and will shed light on associations between phenotypic traits and longevity.
Distributions of synaptic vesicle proteins and GAD65 in deprived and nondeprived ocular dominance columns in layer IV of kitten primary visual cortex are unaffected by monocular deprivation

Two days of monocular deprivation (MD) of kittens during a critical period of development is known to produce a loss of visual responses in the primary visual cortex to stimulation of the nondeprived eye, and 7 days of deprivation results in retraction of axon branches and loss of presynaptic sites from deprived‐eye geniculocortical arbors. The rapid loss of responsiveness to deprived‐eye visual stimulation could be due to a decrease in intracortical excitatory input to deprived‐eye ocular dominance columns (ODCs) relative to nondeprived‐eye columns. Alternatively, deprived‐eye visual responses could be suppressed by an increase in intracortical inhibition in deprived columns relative to nondeprived columns. We tested these hypotheses in critical period kittens by labeling ODCs in layer IV of primary visual cortex with injections of the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) into lamina A of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). After either 2 or 7 days of MD, densities of intracortical excitatory presynaptic sites within deprived relative to nondeprived ODCs were estimated by measuring synaptic vesicle protein (SVP) immunoreactivity (IR). Because most of the synapses within layer IV of primary visual cortex are excitatory inputs from other cortical neurons, levels of SVP‐IR provide an estimate of the amount of intracortical excitatory input. We also measured levels of immunoreactivity of the inhibitory presynaptic terminal marker glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65 in deprived relative to nondeprived ODCs. Monocular deprivation (either 2 or 7 days) had no effect on the distributions of either SVP‐ or GAD65‐IR in deprived and nondeprived columns. Therefore, the rapid loss of deprived‐eye visual responsiveness following MD is due neither to a decrease in intracortical excitatory presynaptic sites nor to an increase in intracortical inhibitory presynaptic sites in layer IV of deprived‐eye ODCs relative to nondeprived columns. J. Comp. Neurol. 422:652–664, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Refunding Emissions Payments

We analyze two mechanism designs for refunding emissions payments to polluting firms: outputbased refunding (OB) and expenditure-based refunding (EB). In both instruments, emissions fees are returned to the polluting industry, typically making the policy more politically acceptable than a standard tax. The crucial difference between OB and EB is that the fees are refunded in proportion to output in the former but in proportion to the firms’ expenditure on abatement equipment in the latter. We show theoretically that to achieve a given abatement target, the fee level in the OB design exceeds the standard tax rate, whereas the fee level in the EB design is lower. Furthermore, the use of OB and EB may lead to large differences in the distribution of costs across firms. Both designs imply a cost-ineffective provision of abatement, as firms put relatively too much effort into reducing emissions through abatement technology compared with reducing output or improving management. However, maintaining output may be seen as a political advantage by policymakers if they seek to avoid activity reduction in the regulated sector.