Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Four Immunogenetic Markers for Predicting Persistent Activity in Patients with Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis or Undifferentiated Arthritis

We assessed the contribution of four baseline markers—HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE), −308 tumor necrosis factor α gene promoter polymorphism, rheumatoid factor, and anticitrullinated peptide antibodies—for predicting persistent activity (DAS28 score ≥2.6) after one year of followup in a cohort of 201 patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or undifferentiated arthritis (UA) aged 16 years or older who had a 4-week to 12-month history of swelling of at least two joints. Patients had not been previously treated with corticosteroids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD). In the best logistic regression model, only two variables were retained: SE positivity and number of DMARD administered (area under the curve = 76.4%; 95% CI: 69.2%, 84.4%; P < 0.001). The best linear regression model also included these two variables, explaining only 22.5% of the variability of DAS28 score. In this study, given an equal number of DMARD administered, the probability of persistent activity in patients with recent-onset RA or UA was significantly influenced by SE presence.
Overexpression of Kinesin Family Member 20A Correlates with Disease Progression and Poor Prognosis in Human Nasopharyngeal Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of 105 Patients

Background Numerous studies have shown Kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A) may play a critical role in the development and progression of cancer. However, the clinical value of KIF20A in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unknown. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of KIF20A in NPC and its correlation with clinicopathological features of patients. Methods Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to quantify KIF20A expression in NPC cell lines and clinical specimens compared with normal controls. KIF20A protein expression was also examined in archived paraffin embedded tumor samples from 105 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Statistical analyses were applied to assess the associations between KIF20A expression and the clinicopathological features and survival outcomes. Effects on migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and transwell invasion assays after KIF20A silencing. Results KIF20A was significantly overexpressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in NPC cell lines and human tumor tissues. 45/105 (42.9%) of NPC specimens expressed high levels of KIF20A among the KIF20A detectable cases. Statistical analysis revealed that high KIF20A expression was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.046), clinical stage (P<0.001), T category (P = 0.022), N category (P<0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.001) and vital status (P = 0.001). Moreover, Higher KIF20A expression patients had shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001; log-rank test). In multivariate analysis, KIF20A was an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS in the entire cohort (P = 0.033, P = 0.008). Knock down of KIF20A expression significantly suppressed NPC cell’s migration and invasion. Conclusions KIF20A is overexpressed and may serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in NPC. Targeting KIF20A reduces migration and invasion of NPC cells.
Classifying Knee Pathologies using Instantaneous Screws of the Six Degrees-of-Freedom Knee Motion

We address the problem of knee pathology assessment by using screw theory to describe the knee motion and by using the screw representation of the motion as an input to a machine learning classifier. The flexions of knees with different pathologies are tracked using an optical tracking system. The screw parameters which describe the transformation of the tibia with respect to the femur in each two successive observation are represented as the instantaneous screw axis of the motion given in its Plucker line coordinate, along with its corresponding pitch. The set of screw parameters associated with a particular knee with a given pathology is then identified and clustered in R6 to form a "signature" of the motion for the given pathology. Bone model and two cadaver knees with different pathologies were tracked, and the resulting screws were used to train a classifier system. The system was then tested successfully with new, never trained before data. The classifier demonstrated a very high success rate in identifying the knee pathology
Primate motor cortex and free arm movements to visual targets in three- dimensional space. III. Positional gradients and population coding of movement direction from various movement origins

In one experiment, we studied the relations between the frequency of discharge of 274 single cells in the arm area of the motor cortex of the monkey and the actively maintained position of the hand in space. We found that the frequency of discharge of 63.9% of the cells studied was a multilinear function of the position of the hand in space according to the following equation (multiple linear regression): d = f + fxsx + fysy + fzsz, where d is the discharge rate of a single cell, f, fx, fy, fz are regression coefficients, and sx, sy, sz are the coordinates of the position of the hand. The equation above defines a positional gradient which implies that the frequency of cell discharge will increase at a maximum rate when the position of the hand changes along a certain direction; we call this direction of orientation of the positional gradient, and the rate of change in discharge rate along this orientation, the magnitude of the gradient. The orientations of the positional gradients were distributed throughout three-dimensional (3-D) space and their magnitudes differed among different cells. In a different experiment, we studied the changes in activity of 289 cells in the arm area of the motor cortex when the monkeys made equal- amplitude movements that started from different points in space, were in the same direction, and traveled along parallel trajectories in 3-D space. Four pairs of such movement directions (i.e., a total of 8 movement directions) were studied for every cell, and the changes in cell activity associated with movements within each pair were compared. We found that these changes in cell activity did not differ statistically for 68.4% of the movement pairs studied but did differ for the remaining 31.6%. The data from the whole population of cells studied in this experiment were analyzed using the population vector analysis described in the preceding paper (Georgopoulos et al., 1988). Thus, 8 population vectors were calculated, 1 for each of the 8 movement directions studied. We found that the direction of the population vector was close to the direction of the corresponding movement. These results indicate that the population vector provides unique information concerning the direction of the movement even when the point of origin of the movement varies in 3-D space.
State Estimation and Volt-Var Control in Smart Distribution Grid

Distribution smart grid is very important part of the smart grid. Utilities use Distribution Management System (DMS) as supervisory control layer at the power system control centers. State Estimation (SE) and Volt-Var Control (VVC) are the prime applications of the DMS. In the modern DMS, SE is required for extensive monitoring and control of the entire distribution network. In the presence of Distributed Generators (DGs) such as solar, wind, micro turbines, fuel cells etc. to maintain voltage level in the prescribed limits and control of bidirectional flow of reactive power with minimized distribution power losses is a great challenge. Previously proposed methods to optimize SE and VVC presume that objective function equations are continuous and differentiable. However, the practical equipment installed in the distribution network i.e. on load tap changer transformers, DGs, voltage regulators etc. have nonlinear characteristics which result in nonlinear objective functions of SE and VVC. Moreover, the objective functions are discontinuous due to discontinuous tap changing of transformers. Therefore, the conventional methods cannot be applied to nonlinear optimization problems. To solve the nonlinear optimization problems, recently proposed heuristic algorithms are very effective. In this paper, Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm has been implemented to optimize SE and VVC applications.
Analysis of Human Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (ABCC1) by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization/Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry: Toward Identification of Leukotriene C4 Binding Sites

Multidrug resistance in tumor cells may be caused by reduced drug accumulation resulting from expression of one or more proteins belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. In addition to their drug efflux properties, certain ABC proteins such as multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) (ABCC1) mediate the ATP-dependent transport of a broad array of organic anions. The intrinsically photoreactive glutathione-conjugated cysteinyl leukotriene C4 (LTC4) is a high-affinity physiological substrate of MRP1 and is widely regarded as a model compound for evaluating the substrate binding and transport properties of wild-type and mutant forms of the transporter. In the present study, we have optimized high-level expression of recombinant human MRP1 in Pichia pastoris and developed a two-step purification scheme that results in purification of the transporter to >90% homogeneity. Peptide mapping by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry of the peptides generated by in-gel protease digestions of purified underglycosylated MRP1 identified 96.7% of the MRP1 sequence with >98% coverage of its 17 transmembrane helices. Subsequent comparisons with mass spectra of MRP1 photolabeled with LTC4 identified six candidate LTC4-modified peptide fragments that are consistent with the conclusion that the intracellular juxtamembrane positions of transmembrane helices 6, 7, 10, 17, and a COOH-proximal portion of the cytoplasmic loop that links the first and second membrane spanning domains are part of the LTC4 binding site of the transporter. Our studies confirm the usefulness of mass spectrometry for analysis of mammalian polytopic membrane proteins and for identification of substrate binding sites of human MRP1.
Structure of eukaryotic prefoldin and of its complexes with unfolded actin and the cytosolic chaperonin CCT

The biogenesis of the cytoskeletal proteins actin and tubulin involves interaction of nascent chains of each of the two proteins with the oligomeric protein prefoldin (PFD) and their subsequent transfer to the cytosolic chaperonin CCT (chaperonin containing TCP‐1). Here we show by electron microscopy that eukaryotic PFD, which has a similar structure to its archaeal counterpart, interacts with unfolded actin along the tips of its projecting arms. In its PFD‐bound state, actin seems to acquire a conformation similar to that adopted when it is bound to CCT. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the CCT:PFD complex based on cryoelectron microscopy reveals that PFD binds to each of the CCT rings in a unique conformation through two specific CCT subunits that are placed in a 1,4 arrangement. This defines the phasing of the CCT rings and suggests a handoff mechanism for PFD.
The emergence of probabilistic reasoning in very young infants

How do people make rich inferences from such sparse data? Recent research has explored this inferential ability by investigating probabilistic reasoning in infancy. For example, 8- and 11-month-old infants can make inferences from samples to populations and vice versa (Denison & Xu, 2010a; Xu & Denison, 2009; Xu & Garcia, 2008a). The current experiment investigates the developmental origins of this probabilistic inference mechanism with 4.5- and 6-month-old infants. Infants were shown 2 large boxes, 1 containing a ratio of 4 pink to 1 yellow balls, the other containing the opposite ratio. The experimenter sampled from, for example, the mostly pink box and removed a sample of either 4 pink and 1 yellow balls or 4 yellow and 1 pink balls on alternating trials. Six-month-olds but not 4.5-month-olds looked longer at the 4 yellow and 1 pink sample (the improbable outcome) than at the 4 pink and 1 yellow sample (the probable outcome).
Effect of Statin Treatment on Vasospasm, Delayed Cerebral Ischemia, and Functional Outcome in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Update

Background and Purpose— A recent meta-analysis investigating the efficacy of statin treatment in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage reported a reduced incidence of vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, and mortality in statin-treated patients. However, the meta-analysis was criticized for its methodology, and several retrospective studies found no beneficial effect. We present the results of a new systematic review, which differs from the previous systematic review in its methodology, and by inclusion of the results of a fourth randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Summary of Review— All randomized, placebo-controlled trials investigating the effect of statins on vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, and functional outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. Outcomes were the number of patients with transcranial Doppler vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, poor outcome, and mortality during follow-up. Effect sizes were expressed in (pooled) risk ratio estimates. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Results— In 4 studies, a total of 190 patients were included. No statistically significant effect was observed on transcranial Doppler vasospasm (pooled risk ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.66 to 1.48]), delayed cerebral ischemia (pooled risk ratio, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.29 to 1.13]), poor outcome (pooled risk ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.68 to 1.24]), or mortality (pooled risk ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.13 to 1.10]). Conclusion— The results of the present systematic review do not lend statistically significant support to the finding of a beneficial effect of statins in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage as reported in a previous meta-analysis.
Capacity and Cooperation in Wireless Networks

We consider fundamental capacity limits in wireless networks where nodes can cooperate in transmission and reception. Cooperation can take many forms, including virtual multiple-input multiple-output transmission, different relaying strategies, and conferencing. The optimal cooperation strategy depends on the network topology, the channel SNR, and the channel side information available at the nodes. We discuss the lessons learned so far along with the remaining open questions. The challenges in developing new cooperation techniques and applying them to a broader class of channels are also outlined.
Influence of exercise on visceral pain: an explorative study in healthy volunteers

Background and objectives Contradictory results have been found about the effect of different exercise modalities on pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the early effects of aerobic and isometric exercise on different types of experimental pain, including visceral pain, compared to an active control condition. Methods Fifteen healthy subjects (6 women, mean [standard deviation] age 25 [6.5] years) completed 3 interventions consisting of 20 minutes of aerobic cycling, 12 minutes of isometric knee extension and a deep breathing procedure as active control. At baseline and after each intervention, psychophysical tests were performed, including electrical stimulation of the esophagus, pressure pain thresholds and the cold pressor test as a measure for conditioned pain modulation. Participants completed the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to the experiments. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results No significant differences were found for the psychophysical tests after the interventions, compared to baseline pain tests and the control condition. Conclusion No hypoalgesic effect of aerobic and isometric exercise was found. The evidence for exercise-induced hypoalgesia appears to be not as consistent as initially thought, and caution is recommended when interpreting the effects of exercise on pain.
Detection of occult lung impairment in welders by induced sputum particles and breath oxidation.

BACKGROUND We evaluated particulate matter in combined induced sputum (IS) and oxidation in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) to test whether underlying inflammatory changes are present in asymptomatic welders. METHODS Thirty welders from the Israel Defense Forces exposed to aluminum/iron (Group 1) or to cadmium/chromium/iron/lead/nickel (Group 2, N = 16) and 27 non-exposed administrators were studied. IS was recovered, particle size distribution, hydrogen peroxide and pH were measured, and exhaled breath condensate was collected. RESULTS Group 2 had a higher % neutrophils than all other participants (P = 0.0001) and a higher % particles >2 microm in diameter (P = 0.0017). Percent particles and years of exposure highly correlated (P = 0.051). All welders EBC samples had higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than controls (P = 0.0001). pH was lower only for Group 2 (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Combined IS and EBC measurements detect underlying inflammation in airways of asymptomatic welders. It emerged that airway inflammation is present in asymptomatic welders, and that the particle burden, inflammatory cells, and level of oxidative stress are a function of the type and the duration of welding. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:503-511, 2008.
A simulation design of LTE communication system under adaptive modulation schemes

The LTE standard uses three different modulation schemes to adapt to various channel conditions in order to improve achievable data rates. These modulation schemes are the QPSK, 16-QAM and 64-QAM. This paper presents an overview of a LTE digital communication system Simulink model, designed in order to study the effects of the QPSK, 16-QAM and 64-QAM modulation schemes on the BER performance with an AWGN channel model. Different subsystems within the transmitter and receiver blocks are implemented in Simulink. It is noted that the LTE system uses Turbo channel coding and bitlevel scrambling to offer reliable and secure services to the users. Depending on the assumed channel condition (clear, medium clear or noisy), the 64-QAM, 16-QAM or QPSK modulation scheme, on the transmitter side; as well as the corresponding demodulation scheme, on the receiver side; are automatically selected. Based on the recovered data bits, the obtained bit error rates are analyzed, compared and discussed.
Activation of REST/NRSF Target Genes in Neural Stem Cells Is Sufficient To Cause Neuronal Differentiation

ABSTRACT REST/NRSF is a transcriptional repressor that acts at the terminal stage of the neuronal differentiation pathway and blocks the transcription of several differentiation genes. REST/NRSF is generally downregulated during induction of neuronal differentiation. The recombinant transcription factor REST-VP16 binds to the same DNA binding site as does REST/NRSF but functions as an activator instead of a repressor and can directly activate the transcription of REST/NRSF target genes. However, it is not known whether REST-VP16 expression is sufficient to cause formation of functional neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs). Here we show that regulated expression of REST-VP16 in a physiologically relevant NSC line growing under cycling conditions converted the cells rapidly to the mature neuronal phenotype. Furthermore, when grown in the presence of retinoic acid, REST-VP16-expressing NSCs activated their target, as well as other differentiation genes that are not their direct target, converting them to the mature neuronal phenotype and enabling them to survive in the presence of mitotic inhibitors, which is a characteristic of mature neurons. In addition, these neuronal cells were physiologically active. These results showed that direct activation of REST/NRSF target genes in NSCs with a single transgene, REST-VP16, is sufficient to cause neuronal differentiation, and the findings suggested that direct activation of genes involved in the terminal stage of differentiation may cause neuronal differentiation of NSCs.
Super stellar clusters with a bimodal hydrodynamic solution: an approximate analytic approach

Aims. We look for a simple analytic model to distinguish between stellar clusters undergoing a bimodal hydrodynamic solution from those able to drive only a stationary wind. Clusters in the bimodal regime undergo strong radiative cooling within their densest inner regions, which results in the accumulation of the matter injected by supernovae and stellar winds and eventually in the formation of further stellar generations, while their outer regions sustain a stationary wind. Methods. The analytic formulae are derived from the basic hydrodynamic equations. Our main assumption, that the density at the star cluster surface scales almost linearly with that at the stagnation radius, is based on results from semi-analytic and full numerical calculations. Results. The analytic formulation allows for the determination of the threshold mechanical luminosity that separates clusters evolving in either of the two solutions. It is possible to fix the stagnation radius by simple analytic expressions and thus to determine the fractions of the deposited matter that clusters evolving in the bimodal regime blow out as a wind or recycle into further stellar generations.
Bacterial communities in the rumen of Holstein heifers differ when fed orchardgrass as pasture vs. hay

The rich and diverse microbiota of the rumen provides ruminant animals the capacity to utilize highly fibrous feedstuffs as their energy source, but there is surprisingly little information on the composition of the microbiome of ruminants fed all-forage diets, despite the importance of such agricultural production systems worldwide. In three 28-day periods, three ruminally-cannulated Holstein heifers sequentially grazed orchardgrass pasture (OP), then were fed orchardgrass hay (OH), then returned to OP. These heifers displayed greater shifts in ruminal bacterial community composition (determined by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis and by pyrotag sequencing of 16S rRNA genes) than did two other heifers maintained 84 d on the same OP. Phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated all ruminal samples, and quantitative PCR indicated that members of the genus Prevotella averaged 23% of the 16S rRNA gene copies, well below levels previously reported with cows fed total mixed rations. Differences in bacterial community composition and ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were observed between the OP and OH despite similarities in gross chemical composition. Compared to OP, feeding OH increased the molar proportion of ruminal acetate (P = 0.02) and decreased the proportion of ruminal butyrate (P < 0.01), branched-chain VFA (P < 0.01) and the relative population size of the abundant genus Butyrivibrio (P < 0.001), as determined by pyrotag sequencing. Despite the low numbers of animals examined, the observed changes in VFA profile in the rumens of heifers on OP vs. OH are consistent with the shifts in Butyrivibrio abundance and its known physiology as a butyrate producer that ferments both carbohydrates and proteins.