Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Group Theory

We study ﬁnite extension groups of lattices in Lie groups which have ﬁnitely many connected components. We show that every non-cocompact Fuchsian group (these are the non-cocompact lattices in PSL ( 2 , R ) ) has an extension group of ﬁnite index which is not isomorphic to a lattice in a Lie group with ﬁnitely many connected components. On the other hand we prove that these are, in an appropriate sense, the only lattices in Lie groups which have extension groups of this kind. We also show that an extension group of ﬁnite index of a lattice in a Lie group with ﬁnitely many connected components has only ﬁnitely many conjugacy classes of ﬁnite subgroups. To cite this article: F. Grunewald, V. Platonov, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).
On Adaptive Regularization Methods in Boosting

Boosting algorithms build models on dictionaries of learners constructed from the data, where a coefficient in this model relates to the contribution of a particular learner relative to the other learners in the dictionary. Regularization for these models is currently implemented by iteratively applying a simple local tolerance parameter, which scales each coefficient toward zero. Stochastic enhancements, such as bootstrapping, incorporate a random mechanism in the construction of the ensemble to improve robustness, reduce computation time, and improve accuracy. In this article, we propose a novel local estimation scheme for direct data-driven estimation of regularization parameters in boosting algorithms with stochastic enhancements based on a penalized loss optimization framework. In addition, k-fold cross-validated estimates of this penalty are obtained during its construction. This leads to a computationally fast and effective way of estimating this parameter for boosting algorithms with stochastic enhancements. The procedure is illustrated on both real and synthetic data. The R code used in this manuscript is available as supplemental material.
Retrievals of Arctic Sea‐Ice Volume and Its Trend Significantly Affected by Interannual Snow Variability

We estimate the uncertainty of satellite‐retrieved Arctic sea‐ice thickness, sea‐ice volume, and their trends stemming from the lack of reliable snow‐thickness observations. To do so, we simulate a Cryosat2‐type ice‐thickness retrieval in an ocean‐model simulation forced by atmospheric reanalysis, pretending that only freeboard is known as model output. We then convert freeboard to sea‐ice thickness using different snow climatologies and compare the resulting sea‐ice thickness retrievals to each other and to the real sea‐ice thickness of the reanalysis‐forced simulation. We find that different snow climatologies cause significant differences in the obtained ice thickness and ice volume. In addition, we show that Arctic ice‐volume trends derived from ice‐thickness retrievals using any snow‐depth climatology are highly unreliable because the estimated trend in ice volume can strongly be influenced by the neglected interannual variability in snow volume.
Blood Pressure and Clinical Outcomes in the International Stroke Trial

Background and Purpose— Among patients with acute stroke, high blood pressure is often associated with poor outcome, although the reason is unclear. We analyzed data from the International Stroke Trial (IST) to explore the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP), subsequent clinical events over the next 2 weeks, and functional outcome at 6 months in patients with acute stroke. Methods— We included in the analysis 17 398 patients from IST with confirmed ischemic stroke. A single measurement of SBP was made immediately before randomization. Clinical events within 14 days of randomization were recorded: recurrent ischemic stroke, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, death resulting from presumed cerebral edema, fatal coronary heart disease, and death. Survival and dependency were assessed at 6 months. Outcomes were adjusted for age, sex, clinical stroke syndrome, time to randomization, consciousness level, atrial fibrillation, and treatment allocation (aspirin, unfractionated heparin, both, or neither). Results— A U-shaped relationship was found between baseline SBP and both early death and late death or dependency: early death increased by 17.9% for every 10 mm Hg below 150 mm Hg (P <0.0001) and by 3.8% for every 10 mm Hg above 150 mm Hg (P =0.016). The rate of recurrent ischemic stroke within 14 days increased by 4.2% for every 10–mm Hg increase in SBP (P =0.023); this association was present in both fatal and nonfatal recurrence. Death resulting from presumed cerebral edema was independently associated with high SBP (P =0.004). No relationship between symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and SBP was seen. Low SBP was associated with a severe clinical stroke (total anterior circulation syndrome) and an excess of deaths from coronary heart disease (P =0.002). Conclusions— Both high blood pressure and low blood pressure were independent prognostic factors for poor outcome, relationships that appear to be mediated in part by increased rates of early recurrence and death resulting from presumed cerebral edema in patients with high blood pressure and increased coronary heart disease events in those with low blood pressure. The occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 14 days was independent of SBP.
Prazosin for treatment of nightmares related to posttraumatic stress disorder.

PURPOSE The efficacy of prazosin for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares is reviewed. SUMMARY PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults. The event that induced PTSD is often relived through nightmares or flashbacks. Sleep disturbances affect approximately 70% of patients with PTSD. Several medications have been evaluated for reducing PTSD-related nightmares, with limited success. Prazosin is a centrally and peripherally acting alpha(1)-adrenergic antagonist whose mechanism of action, favorable adverse-effect profile, and low cost make it a promising agent for the treatment of PTSD. To date, two case reports, two chart reviews, three open-label trials, and two placebo-controlled trials have been published documenting the efficacy and safety of prazosin in the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares. Therapy with prazosin resulted in a reduction in nightmares in patients with both combat- and noncombat-related trauma. A therapeutic benefit occurred with prazosin dosages as low as 1 mg daily, and suppression of nightmare symptoms occurred within one week of prazosin initiation. The most frequently reported adverse event was orthostatic hypotension. The variability in the populations studied (e.g., combat, noncombat, recent traumatic experiences) leaves additional unanswered questions that must be addressed in large, randomized, controlled trials. CONCLUSION Prazosin appears to be a promising and well-tolerated agent for the management of PTSD-related nightmares. Further well-designed trials are warranted to establish its place in the treatment of PTSD.
Thirty years of HIV in Israel: current epidemiology and future challenges

Objective The HIV/AIDS burden in Israel is increasing. This study aims to describe the nationwide-HIV epidemiology in the last 30 years and highlight areas of concern in HIV/AIDS control. Design Descriptive study. Setting The National HIV/AIDS Registry in Israel. Participants All individuals who were reported with HIV/AIDS in Israel. Primary outcome measures Classification of HIV/AIDS cases by risk groups, calculation of annual trend analysis and estimation of HIV transmission rates by dividing the annual HIV/AIDS-incidence by the prevalence, while the number of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases reported was a proxy of the incidence. Results From 1981 to 2010, 6579 HIV/AIDS cases were reported in an upward trend from 3.6 new HIV diagnoses/100 000 population in 1986 to 5.6 in 2010. Immigrants from countries of generalised epidemic (ICGE) comprised 2717 (41.3%) of all cases: 2089 (76.9%) were Israeli citizens and 628 (23%) were non-Israeli citizens, mostly migrant workers. The majority (N=2040) of ICGE Israeli citizens were born in Ethiopia. Only 796 (12.1%) of all HIV/AIDS cases were heterosexuals who were non-ICGE and not injecting drug users (IDUs). IDU comprised 13.4% (N=882) of all cases. Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 33.2% (N=1403) of all men reported, while the annual number of MSM reported with HIV/AIDS has quadrupled between 2000 and 2010. It is estimated that the HIV point prevalences in 2010 for Ethiopian-born Israeli citizens, IDU and MSM aged 16–45 were 1805, 1492 and 3150, respectively. The crude estimated transmission rates among Israeli citizens, excluding the Ethiopian-born, was 10.5, while among Ethiopian-born Israeli citizens, IDU and MSM the rates were 3.6, 6.3 and 13.2, respectively. Conclusions The HIV/AIDS burden in Israel is low among heterosexuals and higher in risk-groups. Among these risk groups, the highest HIV transmission rate was in MSM, followed by IDU and ICGE. Culturally sensitive and focused prevention interventions should be tailored exclusively for each of the vulnerable risk groups.
Critical Review of Health-Related Quality of Life Studies of Patients With Aortic Stenosis

Background:While studies of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are increasing among cardiovascular patients, very few have examined HRQOL in persons with aortic stenosis (AS). Purpose:A critical review of studies (1997-2008) of HRQOL in persons with AS was conducted to summarize findings and identify clinical and research implications. Results:Twenty-eight studies were identified, all of which were quantitative and evaluated HRQOL after aortic valve replacement (AVR). No studies conducted by nurses or studies measuring HRQOL in persons who did not undergo AVR were found. The literature focused on age and type of valve as variables influencing HRQOL postoperatively. Although results varied, elderly patients often scored similar or better than comparison groups. Health-related quality of life was found to be affected by valve noise and anticoagulation rather than the specific valve type when comparing patients receiving biological versus mechanical valves. Conclusions:Selection for surgery should not be based on age alone. Early consideration should be given to symptoms prior to surgery because of evidence that patients with fewer symptoms preoperatively have better HRQOL after AVR. Anticoagulation status should be evaluated as an independent variable of HRQOL in future studies. Implications for Research and Practice:Researchers need to augment generic HRQOL measures with disease-specific items that may pertain to life areas affected by AS, such as audible valve click, wound healing, and dyspnea. Future research should be inclusive of AS patients who do not undergo surgery. Nurses in a variety of roles can work independently or within a multidisciplinary team to provide interventions for the promotion of HRQOL for patients across all stages of the AS disease process.
Molecular genetics study of deafness in Brazil: 8‐year experience

Hereditary hearing loss is a complex disorder that involves a large number of genes. In developed countries, 1 in 1,000 children is born with deafness severe enough to require special education services, and about 60% of the cases of isolated deafness have a genetic origin. Although more than 100 genes for hearing loss are known currently, only a few are routinely tested in the clinical practice. In this study, we present our findings from the molecular diagnostic screening of the GJB2 and GJB3 genes, del(GJB6‐D13S1830) and del(GJB6‐D13S1854) deletions in the GJB6 gene, Q829X mutation in the otoferlin gene (OTOF) and, the A1555G and A7445G mutations in the mitochondrial genome over an 8‐year period. Mutations analysis in the previously mentioned genes and mutations was performed on 645 unrelated Brazilian patients with hearing loss who fell into two different testing groups. Different mutations in the GJB2 gene were responsible for most of cases studied, but deletions in the GJB6 gene as well as mitochondrial mutations were also found. While most cases of hearing loss in this country are due to environmental factors, the genetic etiology of deafness will increasingly be determined as more genetic tests become available. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CD68 and CD163 as prognostic factors for Korean patients with Hodgkin lymphoma

Background: Limited progress had been made in prognostic stratification of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) until recent studies suggested that the number of CD68‐expressing macrophages is prognostic in classical HL. However, its significance in Asian patients with HL has not been explored yet perhaps because of its low incidence in Asia.
SYNTHESIS OF GALANIN AND NEUROPEPTIDE Y IN THE RAT MESENCEPHALIC TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS AFTER INJURY OF N. MASSETERICUS

In normal circumstances, galanin (GAL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide usually occurring in sympathetic neurons, are not found in the neurons of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN), a unique locale of (pseudo)unipolar sensory neurons in the central nervous system. Nonetheless, both peptides have been shown to be up-regulated in primary afferent neurons after a peripheral nerve injury. Here we demonstrate by immunohistochemistry GAL and NPY immunoreactivity in MTN neurons after an n. massetericus axotomy in adult rats. Following a survival period of 7 days, the MTN neurons on the ipsilateral (axotomized) side displayed pronounced immunoreactivity, particularly the perikarya belonging to the large-size subtype, while on the contralateral (untreated) side they remained negatively stained. The present results suggest that in time neuron injury launches a medley of intracellular events, leading in their turn to a de novo synthesis of neuroactive substances, such as GAL and NPY, which are not specific for the MTN neurons under normal conditions. The newly synthesized peptides possibly play a trophic role in the revival process or may actively take part in re-launching the sensory modalities of the MTN in the orofacial region.
Histopathological and histochemical effects of the trematode Nanophyetus salmincola (Chapin) on the hepatopancreas of its snail host, Oxytrema siliqua (Gould).

The histopathological and histochemical effects on the hepatopancreas of the snail Oxytrema siliqua, caused by the larvae of Nanophyetus salmincola, have been studied. The parasite causes damage to the organ by increased pressure, active ingestion of the hepatic tubules, and by the increased burden placed upon the snail in disposing of the waste of the parasite. Glycogen and lipid uptake from the hepatopancreas by the parasite were tested for and found to occur via two routes: active ingestion of hepatic cells by the parasites, and absorption across the body membranes of the parasite. Acid and alkaline phosphatases were found to be in greater quantities in snails infected with N. salmincola when compared to uninfected snails. Alkaline phosphatase was found to be associated with the parasite and is thought to function in the metabolism of glycogen. ABSTRACT: The histopathological and histochemical effects on the hepatopancreas of the snail Oxytrema siliqua, caused by the larvae of Nanophyetus salmincola, have been studied. The parasite causes damage to the organ by increased pressure, active ingestion of the hepatic tubules, and by the increased burden placed upon the snail in disposing of the waste of the parasite. Glycogen and lipid uptake from the hepatopancreas by the parasite were tested for and found to occur via two routes: active ingestion of hepatic cells by the parasites, and absorption across the body membranes of the parasite. Acid and alkaline phosphatases were found to be in greater quantities in snails infected with N. salmincola when compared to uninfected snails. Alkaline phosphatase was found to be associated with the parasite and is thought to function in the metabolism of glycogen.
Moderate grazing impacts on insect-flower interactions in grasslands in a biodiversity hotspot

Transformation of natural landscapes is the leading cause of global biodiversity decline. This is often exacerbated through anthropogenic activities that result in the alteration of natural ecosystem. Displacement of local species is characteristics of this process and this is of negative consequence especially for species in mutualism. In this study, how grazing and mowing activities influence flower-insect interactions and communities of interacting partners was assessed. Insect-flower interactions were sampled in four replicates, each of grazed and mowed grasslands in a moderately disturbed ecosystem. Mean distance to natural areas was determined during the study to assess the buffering effect of these natural areas on insect-flower interactions in the local habitats. Flower visiting insect species richness and abundance were not significantly different between grazed and mowed grasslands; however, flowering plants richness and abundance were higher in grazed grasslands. Mean number of interactions was also higher in grazed grassland as compared to mowed. Furthermore, mean number of interactions reduced with increase in distance from the forest. This study showed the importance of natural habitat as a refuge for displaced flower-visiting insects from disturbed areas in a transformed landscape. Mutualistic partners in interaction tend to be resilient to moderate disturbance such as grazing in this study; however, an increase in the intensity of disturbance above the moderate threshold may result in a breakdown of interaction networks. Key words: Network metrics, grazing, landscape disturbance, flower-visiting insects, natural habitat.
Copy-number variation of the neuronal glucose transporter gene SLC2A3 and age of onset in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder which is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. HD is caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion that encodes a polyglutamine stretch in the huntingtin (HTT) protein. Mutant HTT expression leads to a myriad of cellular dysfunctions culminating in neuronal loss and consequent motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbances in HD patients. The length of the CAG repeat is inversely correlated with age of onset (AO) in HD patients, while environmental and genetic factors can further modulate this parameter. Here, we explored whether the recently described copy-number variation (CNV) of the gene SLC2A3—which encodes the neuronal glucose transporter GLUT3—could modulate AO in HD. Strikingly, we found that increased dosage of SLC2A3 delayed AO in an HD cohort of 987 individuals, and that this correlated with increased levels of GLUT3 in HD patient cells. To our knowledge this is the first time that CNV of a candidate gene has been found to modulate HD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we found that increasing dosage of Glut1—the Drosophila melanogaster homologue of this glucose transporter—ameliorated HD-relevant phenotypes in fruit flies, including neurodegeneration and life expectancy. As alterations in glucose metabolism have been implicated in HD pathogenesis, this study may have important therapeutic relevance for HD.
Extreme hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objective: To determine the path of growth of girls who later develop coronary heart disease. Design: Follow up study of girls whose body size at birth, during infancy, and childhood up to age 12 years was recorded. Setting: Helsinki, Finland. Participants: 4130 girls who were born between 1934 and 1944, attended child welfare clinics in Helsinki, and were still resident in Finland in 1971. Main outcome measure: Hospital admission or death from coronary heart disease. Results: In comparison with boys in the same cohort who later developed coronary heart disease the 87 girls were short at birth, rather than thin, had compensatory growth in height during infancy, became thin, and thereafter had a rapid increase in weight and body mass index. In a combined analysis the hazard ratios for coronary heart disease were 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 1.32, p = 0.02) for each 1 cm decrease in length at birth, 1.52 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.89, p < 0.001) for each standard deviation score increase in body mass index after age 3 years, and 1.63 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.42, p = 0.02) for each decrease in level of education. Conclusions: Though broadly similar, the paths of growth associated with the later development of coronary heart disease differ in girls and boys. This may be because girls are less vulnerable to undernutrition in utero and are better able to sustain postnatal growth in an adverse environment.
Transcription and Histone Modifications in the Recombination-Free Region Spanning a Rice Centromere[W]

Centromeres are sites of spindle attachment for chromosome segregation. During meiosis, recombination is absent at centromeres and surrounding regions. To understand the molecular basis for recombination suppression, we have comprehensively annotated the 3.5-Mb region that spans a fully sequenced rice centromere. Although transcriptional analysis showed that the 750-kb CENH3-containing core is relatively deficient in genes, the recombination-free region differs little in gene density from flanking regions that recombine. Likewise, the density of transposable elements is similar between the recombination-free region and flanking regions. We also measured levels of histone H4 acetylation and histone H3 methylation at 176 genes within the 3.5-Mb span. Active genes showed enrichment of H4 acetylation and H3K4 dimethylation as expected, including genes within the core. Our inability to detect sequence or histone modification features that distinguish recombination-free regions from flanking regions that recombine suggest that recombination suppression is an epigenetic feature of centromeres maintained by the assembly of CENH3-containing nucleosomes within the core. CENH3-containing centrochromatin does not appear to be distinguished by a unique combination of H3 and H4 modifications. Rather, the varied distribution of histone modifications might reflect the composition and abundance of sequence elements that inhabit centromeric DNA.
Development of a Dinoflagellate-Oriented PCR Primer Set Leads to Detection of Picoplanktonic Dinoflagellates from Long Island Sound

ABSTRACT We developed dinoflagellate-specific 18S rRNA gene primers. PCR amplification using these oligonucleotides for a picoplanktonic DNA sample from Long Island Sound yielded 24 clones, and all but one of these clones were dinoflagellates primarily belonging to undescribed and Amoebophrya-like lineages. These results highlight the need for a systematic investigation of picodinoflagellate diversity in both coastal and oceanic ecosystems.