Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antihypertensive Effect of Interleukin‐2

Recent reports indicate that cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin may facilitate the release of interleukin-2 from thymic T cells. We have previously reported that aspirin has antihypertensive effects in the standard animal model of essential hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Because the SHR has been reported to be deficient in T cells, it was of interest to determine whether the course of hypertension in this model could be altered by interleukin-2, the T cell growth factor. A single bolus of interleukin-2 (5,000 units/kg s.c.) prevented the increase of blood pressure in the young SHR and lowered pressure to normotensive levels in the well-established hypertensive adult SHR. In the latter, the effects of a single dose have been found to persist for at least 6 months with no toxic or untoward effects apparent. Blood pressure in Goldblatt, single-kidney Wistar-Kyoto rats, a model of renal hypertension, was not affected by interleukin-2.
Relationship between magnitude of damage to the hippocampus and impaired recognition memory in monkeys

Two recent meta‐analyses, drawing on data from many of the same studies with monkeys, reached different conclusions about the relationship between hippocampal damage and recognition memory performance. Both studies found evidence of recognition memory impairment following hippocampal damage. However, Zola et al. (J Neurosci 2000;20:451–463) found no significant correlation between extent of hippocampal damage and recognition memory performance, whereas Baxter and Murray (Hippocampus 2001;11:61–71) concluded that the extent of hippocampal damage in monkeys was inversely correlated with impaired performance. Here, we first consider the requirements for carrying out a valid meta‐analysis, and point out that the analysis carried out by Baxter and Murray (Hippocampus 2001;11:61–71) is invalid on simple statistical grounds. We then adopt the appropriate statistical procedures (multiple regression analyses rather than simple correlational analysis) to assess the relationship between extent of hippocampal damage and recognition performance across different studies. None of these analyses, including a reanalysis of the data of Baxter and Murray (Hippocampus 2001;11:61–71), revealed a significant inverse relationship between lesion size and behavioral impairment. Most of the variance was explained by differences between the studies that contributed to the meta‐analysis, not by lesion size itself. Indeed, analysis of covariance indicated that there were differences among the studies beyond lesion size that significantly affected performance. Finally, we consider what relationship might hold between lesion size and memory performance in the monkey. Hippocampus 2001;11:92–98. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards Development of Clustering Applications for Large-Scale Comparative Genotyping and Kinship Analysis Using Y-Short Tandem Repeats

Abstract Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) are genetic markers with practical applications in human identification. However, where mass identification is required (e.g., in the aftermath of disasters with significant fatalities), the efficiency of the process could be improved with new statistical approaches. Clustering applications are relatively new tools for large-scale comparative genotyping, and the k-Approximate Modal Haplotype (k-AMH), an efficient algorithm for clustering large-scale Y-STR data, represents a promising method for developing these tools. In this study we improved the k-AMH and produced three new algorithms: the Nk-AMH I (including a new initial cluster center selection), the Nk-AMH II (including a new dominant weighting value), and the Nk-AMH III (combining I and II). The Nk-AMH III was the superior algorithm, with mean clustering accuracy that increased in four out of six datasets and remained at 100% in the other two. Additionally, the Nk-AMH III achieved a 2% higher overall mean clustering accuracy score than the k-AMH, as well as optimal accuracy for all datasets (0.84–1.00). With inclusion of the two new methods, the Nk-AMH III produced an optimal solution for clustering Y-STR data; thus, the algorithm has potential for further development towards fully automatic clustering of any large-scale genotypic data.
Photometric Redshifts and Selection of High-Redshift Galaxies in the NTT and Hubble Deep Fields

We present and compare in this paper new photometric redshift catalogs of the galaxies in three public fields: the NTT Deep Field, the HDF-N, and the HDF-S. In the case of the NTT Deep Field, we present here a new photometric catalog, obtained by combining the existing BVrI and JKs with new deep U observations acquired with NTT-SUSI2, and which includes also the contiguous field centered on the zem = 4.7 quasar BR 1202-07. Photometric redshifts have been obtained for the whole sample (NTTDF + HDF-N + HDF-S), by adopting a χ2 minimization technique on a spectral library drawn from the Bruzual and Charlot synthesis models, with the addition of dust and intergalactic absorption. The accuracy, determined from 125 galaxies with known spectroscopic redshifts, is σz ∼ 0.08 (0.3) in the redshift intervals z = 0–1.5 (1.5–3.5). The global redshift distribution of I-selected galaxies shows a distinct peak at intermediate redshifts, z ≃ 0.6 at IAB ≤ 26 and z ≃ 0.8 at IAB ≤ 27.5 followed by a tail extending to z ≃ 6. Systematic differences exist among the fields, most notably the HDF-S which contains a much smaller number of galaxies at z ≃ 0.9 and at z ≥ 4.5 than the HDF-N. We also present for the first time the redshift distribution of the total IR-selected sample to faint limits (Ks ≤ 21 and J ≤ 22). It is found that the number density of galaxies at 1.25 < z < 1.5 is ≃0.1 arcmin-2 at J ≤ 21 and ≃1.0 arcmin-2 at J ≤ 22 and drops to ≃0.3 arcmin-2 (at J ≤ 22) at 1.5 < z < 2. The HDF data sets are used to compare the different results from color selection criteria and photometric redshifts in detecting galaxies in the redshift range 3.5 ≤ z ≤ 4.5. Photometric redshifts predict a number of high z candidates in both the HDF-N and HDF-S that is nearly 2 times larger than color selection criteria, and it is shown that this is primarily due to the inclusion of dusty models that were discarded in the original color selection criteria. In several cases, the selection of these objects is made possible by the additional constraints from the IR bands. This effect partially reflect the poor spectral sampling of the HDF filter set, and is not present in ground-based observations where a R-I ≤ 0.5 color selection criteria may be applied. Finally, it is shown that galactic M stars may mimic z > 5 candidates in the HDF filter set and that the four brightest candidates at z > 5 in the HDF-S are indeed most likely M stars.
Reduction of Systematic Uncertainty in DFT Redox Potentials of Transition-Metal Complexes

Reliable calculations of redox potentials could provide valuable insight into catalytic mechanisms of electrochemically active transition-metal complexes as well as guidelines for the design of new electrocatalysts. However, the correlation between theoretical and experimental data is often uncertain, since redox properties depend strongly on experimental conditions of electrochemical measurements, including the nature of the solvent, electrolyte, and working electrode. Here, we show that the use of internal references allows for quantitative theoretical predictions of redox potentials with standard deviations σ comparable to typical experimental errors of cyclic voltammetry measurements. Agreement for first-, second-, and third-row transition-metal complexes is demonstrated even at a rather modest level of density functional theory (σ = 64 mV for the UB3LYP/6-311G* level). This is shown for a series of benchmark redox couples, including ([MCp2]0/+ (Cp = η5-cyclopentadienyl), [MCp*2]0/+ (Cp* = η5-1,2,3,4,.
Transplanted Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Memory in Rat Models of Alzheimer's Disease

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) grafts on cognition deficit in chemically and age-induced Alzheimer's models of rats. In the first experiments aged animals (30 months) were tested in Morris water maze (MWM) and divided into two groups: impaired memory and unimpaired memory. Impaired groups were divided into two groups and cannulated bilaterally at the CA1 of the hippocampus for delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (500 × 103/μL) and PBS (phosphate buffer saline). In the second experiment, Ibotenic acid (Ibo) was injected bilaterally into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) of young rats (3 months) and animals were tested in MWM. Then, animals with memory impairment received the following treatments: MSCs (500 × 103/μL) and PBS. Two months after the treatments, cognitive recovery was assessed by MWM in relearning paradigm in both experiments. Results showed that MSCs treatment significantly increased learning ability and memory in both age- and Ibo-induced memory impairment. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells show promise in treating cognitive decline associated with aging and NBM lesions.
Comparative Performance Investigations of different scenarios for 802.15.4 WPAN

This paper investigates the performance of WPAN based on various topological scenarios like: cluster, star and ring. The comparative results have been reported for the performance metrics like: Throughput, Traffic sent, Traffic received and Packets dropped. Cluster topology is best in comparison with star and ring topologies as it has been shown that the throughput in case of cluster topology (79.887 kbits / sec) as compared to star (31.815 kbits / sec) and ring (1.179 kbits / sec).
Effect of Compensated Renal Dysfunction on Approved Heart Failure Markers: Direct Comparison of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal Pro-BNP

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) are markers of heart failure. Although renal dysfunction may increase plasma concentrations, the magnitude of this effect has not been assessed in a head-to-head comparison between the clinically approved tests. We assessed the effect of compensated renal dysfunction on BNP (Triage BNP; Biosite) and NT-proBNP (elecsys proBNP; Roche) in 469 randomly selected stable outpatients after myocardial infarction (MI; Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Diseases [MONICA] register Augsburg) who were characterized with respect to renal function (glomerular filtration rate [GFR]; Cockroft method) and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and mass (2D echocardiography). BNP and NT-proBNP were elevated in MI patients with LV dysfunction (LVD; EF <35%) compared with MI patients with preserved EF (>45%; BNP 139±27 pg/mL versus 75±6; NT-proBNP 816±237 pg/mL versus 243±20; both P<0.03). Among all MI patients, the prevalence of renal dysfunction (GFR <85 mL/min) was 24%. BNP and NT-proBNP were significantly elevated in MI patients with renal dysfunction (BNP 132±17 pg/mL versus 68±4 without renal dysfunction; NT-proBNP 535±80 pg/mL versus 232±19; both P<0.05), and both markers were correlated with GFR in univariate and multivariate analyses (all P<0.01). When binary cut-off values were stratified according to the absence or presence of renal dysfunction (BNP 75 pg/mL and 125 pg/mL, respectively; NT-proBNP 100 pg/mL and 350pg/mL, respectively), the predictive power of both markers for the detection of LVD increased substantially. BNP and NT-proBNP are almost similarly influenced by mild-to-moderate renal dysfunction. Renal dysfunction is a potential cause of elevated marker concentrations in the absence of LVD, and cut-off concentrations should be stratified according to renal function.
Disclosure to a Credulous Audience: The Role of Limited Attention

In our model, informed players decide whether or not to disclose, and observers allocate attention among disclosed signals, and toward reasoning through the implications of a failure to disclose. In equilibrium disclosure is incomplete, and observers are unrealistically optimistic. Nevertheless, regulation requiring greater disclosure can reduce observers' belief accuracies and welfare. A stronger tendency to neglect disclosed signals increases disclosure, whereas a stronger tendency to neglect failures to disclose reduces disclosure. Observer beliefs are influenced by the salience of disclosed signals, and disclosure in one arena can crowd out disclosure in other fundamentally unrelated arenas.
Tighter timing predictions by automatic detection and exploitation of value-dependent constraints

Predicting the worst case execution time (WCET) of a real time program is a challenging task. Though much progress has been made in obtaining tighter timing predictions by using techniques that model the architectural features of a machine, significant overestimations of WCET can still occur. Even with perfect architectural modeling, dependencies on data values can constrain the outcome of conditional branches and the corresponding set of paths that can be taken in a program. While value-dependent constraint information has been used in the past by some timing analyzers, it has typically been specified manually, which is both tedious and error prone. The paper describes efficient techniques for automatically detecting value-dependent constraints by a compiler and automatically exploiting these constraints within a timing analyzer. The result is tighter timing analysis predictions without requiring additional interaction with a user.
International Journal of Biological & Medical Research Sex Chromatin Frequency Variation among Breast Cancer Patients and Normal Females of Two Reproductive Stages from Bengalee Hindu Females a a B C

Original Article X chromosome inactivation refers to the developmentally regulated process of silencing gene expression from all but one X chromosome per cell in female mammals in order to equalize the levels of X chromosome derived gene expression between the sexes. In females, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) begins with the expression of the XIST gene from the X chromosome destined to be inactivated (Xi) and the coating of XIST RNA in cis. The apparent cytological overlap between BRCA1 and XIST RNA across the Xi raised the possibility of a direct role of BRCA1 in localizing XIST. The present study was conducted to evaluate the comparison of prevalence of sex chromatin in Bengalee Hindu Breast Cancer patients with Normal Bengalee Hindu Caste females, belong to two different reproductive stages viz. Menstruating females and Menopausal females. Materials for the present study consisted of the samples of buccal smears of 75 normal females (40 individuals from menstruating stage and 35 individuals from Menopausal stage) and 68 females of carcinoma of breast belonging to stage II, III, and IV. One hundred cells from each individual will be studied to ascertain the modal rate of incidences of sex chromatin. Our results revealed a significant difference between mean prevalence of Sex Chromatin among Breast Cancer patients, Menstruating normal and Menopausal normal females. Further, One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the mean on Sex Chromatin frequencies among different stages of Breast cancer patients. This result is indicating reactivation of inactive X chromosome in case of malignancy. This result suggested the prognostic value of prevalence of sex chromatin in Breast Cancer patients.
Understanding Support Vector Machine Classifications via a Recommender System-Like Approach

Support vector machines are a valuable tool for making classifications, but their black-box nature means that they lack the natural explanatory value that many other classifiers possess. Alternatively, many popular websites have shown recent success in explaining recommendations based on behavior of other users. Inspired by these ideas, we suggest two novel methods for providing insight into local classifications produced by a support vector machine. In the first, we report the support vectors most influential in the final classification for a particular test point. In the second, we determine which features of that test point would need to be altered (and by how much) in order to be placed on the separating surface between the two classifications. We call the latter technique “border classification. ” In addition to introducing these explanatory techniques, we also present a free-for-download software tool that enables users to visualize these insights graphically.
Report on the feasibility of establishing a reference cavitating medium - final project report.

This study, carried out by NPL in collaboration with the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research, comprised a literature review, questionnaire survey, and feasibility experiments. The experiments explored the use of ‘standard’ water samples, specifically “water purified”, and “AnalaR water”, and also purified water loaded with hydrophobic polystyrene spheres, contained within a reference ultrasonic cleaning vessel, as a reproducible cavitating medium. A novel piezoelectric cavitation sensor was used to assess the cavitation activity. Results indicated best prospects for reproducible behaviour using the ‘standard’ water samples. Further work is needed to quantify this reproducibility, by testing other water sample batches and using water containing different levels of trace particulates. This study was carried out under the UK National Measurement System Programme for Acoustical Metrology, 1999-2001.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of regional cerebral blood oxygenation changes during breath holding.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recently, noninvasive MRI methods have been developed that are now capable of detecting and mapping regional hemodynamic responses to various stress tests, which involve the use of vasoactive substances such as acetazolamide or inhalation of carbon dioxide. The aim of this study was to assess regional cerebral blood oxygenation changes during breath holding at 1.5 T. METHODS In 6 healthy volunteers, T2*-weighted gradient echo images were acquired for a total dynamic scanning time of 10 minutes during alternating periods of breath holding and normal breathing at 40-second intervals after inspiration, at 30-second intervals after expiration, and at 18 seconds after expiration. To quantify the relative signal changes, 2.5-minute baseline image sampling with normal breathing was carried out. RESULTS Repeated challenges of breath holding of various durations induced an overall rise in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal intensities. In general, BOLD signal intensity increases were greatest in gray matter and nonsignificant in white matter. Depending on the breath-holding duration and techniques, BOLD signal intensity increases of all activated pixels varied from 0.8% to 3.5%. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that cerebral blood oxygenation changes during breath holding can be detected by means of fMRI at 1.5 T. The breath-holding test, a short and noninvasive method to study cerebral hemodynamics with fMRI, could become a useful alternative to the acetazolamide or CO2 test.
European Journal of Operational Research Exploring the Benchmarks of the Taiwanese Investment Trust Corporations: Management and Investment Efficiency Perspectives

Keywords: Performance Investment trust corporations Data envelopment analysis Additive efficiency decomposition Network-based ranking DEA a b s t r a c t Through an additive efficiency decomposition (AED) approach in data envelopment analysis (DEA), we evaluate the management and investment efficiencies of Investment Trust Corporations (ITCs) in Taiwan for the period 2007–2011. Furthermore, the AED-DEA and a network-based ranking approach in DEA are jointly used to rank and identify ITCs that can be treated as benchmarks. Frontier projections for ITCs are also highlighted. In general, our results demonstrate that the sample ITCs have higher investment efficiency than the management efficiency. Foreign ITCs appear to be the most efficient ones as compared to local ITCs and financial-holding ITCs. Finally, we construct a competitive map to help mutual fund managers improve their operating performance, resource allocation, and investment strategy formulation.
Body Composition Is Normal in Term Infants Born to Mothers With Well-Controlled Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe body composition in term infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared with infants of mothers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included 599 term babies born at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Neonatal body fat percentage (BF%) was measured within 48 h of birth using air-displacement plethysmography. Glycemic control data were based on third-trimester HbA1c levels and self-monitoring blood glucose levels. Associations between GDM status and BF% were investigated using linear regression adjusted for relevant maternal and neonatal variables. RESULTS Of 599 babies, 67 (11%) were born to mothers with GDM. Mean ± SD neonatal BF% was 7.9 ± 4.5% in infants with GDM and 9.3 ± 4.3% in infants with NGT, and this difference was not statistically significant after adjustment. Good glycemic control was achieved in 90% of mothers with GDM. CONCLUSIONS In this study, neonatal BF% did not differ by maternal GDM status, and this may be attributed to good maternal glycemic control.
Multidimensional FIR filter bank design using Grobner bases

A multivariate polynomial matrix factorization algorithm is introduced and discussed. This algorithm and another algorithm for computing a globally minimal generating matrix of the syzygy of solutions associated with a polynomial matrix are both associated with a zero-coprimeness constraint that characterizes perfect-reconstruction filter banks. Generalizations, as well as limitations of recent results which incorporate the perfect reconstruction as well as the linear-phase constraints, are discussed with several examples and counterexamples. Specifically, a Grobner basis-based proof for perfect reconstruction with linear phase is given for the case of two-band multidimensional filter banks, and the algorithm is illustrated by a nontrivial design example. Progress and bottlenecks in the multidimensional multiband case are also reported.
Cycle Time Optimization of a Multi-Product Production Line in a Multiple Objective Setting

Multi-objective optimization techniques have made inroad into various aspects of managerial decision making process such as investment, environmental analysis of major projects, etc. The field of operations management, in particular production management, has been somewhat behind in utilizing such techniques. In this paper, we consider a production line that produces several predetermined batches of products. Bi-objective optimization as a form of multi-objecti ve optimization has been utilized in this paper. The aim is the optimization of two conflicting objectives by minimizing simultaneously the cycle time and the buffer sizes of the production line. We utilize the concept of satisfaction function for the purpose of aggregating these two incommensurable objectives. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the application of the model and the steps involved in the modeling of the problem.