Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approximate string matching in sublinear expected time

The k differences approximate string matching problem specifies a text string of length n, a pattern string of length m, and the number k of differences (insertions, deletions, substitutions) allowed in a match, and asks for every location in the text where a match occurs. Previous algorithms required at least O(nk) time. When k is as large as a fraction of m, no substantial progress has been made over O(nm) dynamic programming. The authors have investigated much faster algorithms for restricted cases of the problem, such as when the text string is random and errors are not too frequent. They have devised an algorithm that, for k<m/log n+O(1), runs in time O((n/m)k log n) on the average. In the worst case their algorithm is O(nk), but it is still an improvement in that it is very practical and uses only O(n) space compared with O(n) or O(n/sup 2/). The authors define an approximate substring matching problem and give efficient algorithms based on their techniques. Special cases include several applications to genetics and molecular biology. <<ETX>>
Contribution of the cervical sympathetic ganglia to the innervation of the pharyngeal arch arteries and the heart in the chick embryo

In the chick heart, sympathetic innervation is derived from the sympathetic neural crest (trunk neural crest arising from somite level 10–20). Since the trunk neural crest gives rise to sympathetic ganglia of their corresponding level, it suggests that the sympathetic neural crest develops into cervical ganglia 4–14. We therefore tested the hypothesis that, in addition to the first thoracic ganglia, the cervical ganglia might contribute to cardiac innervation as well.
De l’expertise à l’enseignement : Analyse comparative du rapport au savoir de deux enseignants d’EPS de spécialités sportives différentes

Cet article s’insere dans le cadre des recherches sur l’analyse des pratiques enseignantes « in situ », en Education Physique et Sportive (EPS) qui prend en compte le rapport, notamment personnel et corporel, qu’entretient l’enseignant avec l’Activite Physique et Sportive (APS) qu’il va enseigner, selon qu’il est specialiste ou non de cette activite. L’etude s’appuie sur la comparaison de deux cas contrastes. D’une part, l’observation d’un professeur A d’EPS, devant enseigner un cycle de gymnastique, sa specialite de predilection qu’il a pratiquee depuis plusieurs annees, et un cycle de basket-ball dont il n’est pas specialiste. D’autre part, celle d’un professeur B, specialiste de basket-ball, ayant a enseigner cette activite, et la gymnastique qui ne constitue pas sa specialite de predilection. Ainsi, la recherche s’attache ici a examiner combien ce rapport a l’APS enseignee determine fortement la facon que chacun des enseignants a de la traiter et de la transmettre. Toutefois, notre ancrage epistemologique, la didactique clinique de l’EPS (Terrisse, 1994) nous conduit a prendre en compte le sujet enseignant au-dela des contraintes didactiques institutionnelles qui conditionnent son enseignement (Chevallard, 1989). Nous tenterons ainsi d’identifier « ses contraintes propres », liees a sa pratique personnelle, a son expertise dans une APS qu’il enseigne et a sa position de sujet enseignant inscrit dans le didactique, afin de montrer combien les ressorts subjectifs de son rapport personnel a cette activite et de sa pratique corporelle determinent son enseignement effectif et son traitement didactique, ce qui constitue, pour nous, une cle a l’intelligibilite des pratiques.
Increased mean platelet volume associated with extent of slow coronary flow.

BACKGROUND Slow coronary flow (SCF) is characterized by delayed opacification of epicardial coronary vessels. SCF can cause ischemia and sudden cardiac death. We investigated the association between presence and extent of SCF, and cardiovascular risk factors and hematologic indices. METHODS In this study, 2467 patients who received coronary angiography for suspected or known ischemic heart disease were retrospectively evaluated between April 2009 and November 2010. Following the application of exclusion criteria, our study population consisted of 57 SCF patients (experimental group) and 90 patients with age- and gender-matched subjects who proved to have normal coronary angiograms (control group). Baseline hematologic indices were measured by the automated complete blood count (CBC) analysis. The groups were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors and medications. Patients were categorized based on the angiographic findings of vessels with or without SCF. Moreover, patients with SCF were divided into subgroups relative to the extent of SCF. RESULTS Among the 147 patients (mean age 52.7 ± 10.0, 53.7% male), mean platelet volume (MPV) ranged from 6.5 fL to 11.7 fL (median 7.9 fL, mean 8.1 ± 0.8 fL). Diabetes (OR = 3.64, 95% CI 1.15-10.43, p = 0.03), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 4.94, 95% CI 1.99-12.21, p = 0.001), smoking (OR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.43-8.72, p = 0.006), hemoglobin (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.22-2.36, p = 0.002), and MPV (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.43-4.44, p = 0.001) were found to be the independent correlates of SCF presence. Only MPV (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.05-4.33, p = 0.03) was identified as an independent correlate of extent of SCF. CONCLUSIONS Elevated baseline MPV value was found to be an independent predictor of the presence and extent of SCF.
Reliable and powerful laboratory markers of cobalamin deficiency in the newborn: plasma and urinary methylmalonic acid

Abstract Background: Diagnosing cobalamin deficiency is critical, given the high prevalence of cobalamin deficiency particularly in developing countries. Measuring serum cobalamin levels is of limited diagnostic sensitivity, in other words its specificity and sensitivity are low. The present study investigated the changes in the levels of metabolic markers – plasma homocysteine, plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) and urinary MMA – of cobalamin metabolism. Methods: Plasma cobalamin and serum folic acid were studied in 206 pregnant women over the last four prenatal weeks. Plasma cobalamin, folic acid, homocysteine, MMA from umbilical cord blood and urinary MMA in newborns were studied. Results: Plasma cobalamin values were low in 66% of the mothers. There was a positive correlation between maternal and neonatal plasma cobalamin values (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). B12 was strongly inversely associated with plasma MMA, urine MMA and plasma homocysteine. To predict cobalamin deficiency, sensitivities of plasma MMA, urinary MMA and homocysteine were 96.4%, 95.6% and 88.2%, respectively. And positive predictive values (PPV) were 96.2%, 96.9% and 86% for plasma MMA, urinary MMA and plasma homocysteine levels, respectively. Conclusion: Plasma MMA and urinary MMA B12 are the most robust markers of cobalamin deficiency. As a non-invasive method, urinary MMA is a sensitive method in demonstrating cobalamin deficiency in the newborn.
Normal values of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the blood pressure response to the Valsalva manoeuvre in healthy elderly subjects

The blood pressure response to the Valsalva manoeuvre is related to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and can be used to diagnose heart failure. However, this has never been studied specifically in the elderly, in whom the prevalence of heart failure is highest. Furthermore, normal values of the Valsalva manoeuvre are lacking. We aimed to obtain normal values of PCWP and the blood pressure response to the Valsalva manoeuvre in elderly subjects. Therefore, 28 healthy subjects, aged 70 ± 4 years, performed Valsalva manoeuvres before and after anti‐G garment inflation, which was used for temporary increase of PCWP. Before inflation, PCWP was 9·8 ± 1·9 mmHg in supine and 8·9 ± 2·1 in semi‐recumbent position. From the blood pressure response, measured with Finapres, the systolic blood pressure ratio (SBPR), pulse pressure ratio (PPR), stroke volume ratio (SVR) and heart rate ratio (HRR) were calculated. In supine position, SBPR was 0·76 ± 0·11, PPR 0·51 ± 0·16, SVR 0·42 ± 0·11, and HRR 1·17 ± 0·12. Semi‐recumbently, SBPR was 0·74 ± 0·10, PPR 0·46 ± 0·14, SVR 0·41 ± 0·10, and HRR 1·24 ± 0·23. After inflation of the anti‐G garment, the areas under the Receiver Operator Characteristics curves of SBPR, PPR and SVR for elevated (≥15 mmHg) PCWP were >0·85 in supine position. In conclusion, this is the first study to obtain normal values of the blood pressure response to the Valsalva manoeuvre and PCWP in healthy elderly subjects, which is essential for the interpretation of patient data. The Valsalva manoeuvre showed significant discriminatory power in the detection of elevated PCWP, which underscores its potential in the non‐invasive diagnosis of heart failure.
Effect of whole-body vibration therapy on performance recovery.

PURPOSE To compare whole-body vibration (WBV) with traditional recovery protocols after a high-intensity training bout. METHODS In a randomized crossover study, 16 athletes performed 6 × 30-s Wingate sprints before completing either an active recovery (10 min of cycling and stretching) or WBV for 10 min in a series of exercises on a vibration platform. Muscle hemodynamics (assessed via near-infrared spectroscopy) were measured before and during exercise and into the 10-min recovery period. Blood lactate concentration, vertical jump, quadriceps strength, flexibility, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), muscle soreness, and performance during a single 30-s Wingate test were assessed at baseline and 30 and 60 min postexercise. A subset of participants (n = 6) completed a 3rd identical trial (1 wk later) using a passive 10-min recovery period (sitting). RESULTS There were no clear effects between the recovery protocols for blood lactate concentration, quadriceps strength, jump height, flexibility, RPE, muscle soreness, or single Wingate performance across all measured recovery time points. However, the WBV recovery protocol substantially increased the tissue-oxygenation index compared with the active (11.2% ± 2.4% [mean ± 95% CI], effect size [ES] = 3.1, and -7.3% ± 4.1%, ES = -2.1 for the 10 min postexercise and postrecovery, respectively) and passive recovery conditions (4.1% ± 2.2%, ES = 1.3, 10 min postexercise only). CONCLUSION Although WBV during recovery increased muscle oxygenation, it had little effect in improving subsequent performance compared with a normal active recovery.
Macrophage endotoxin tolerance. Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 regulation by lipopolysaccharide pretreatment.

OBJECTIVE To correlate cytokine gene expression with the release of protein product by murine peritoneal macrophages rendered tolerant by sequential endotoxin stimulation in vitro. DESIGN In vitro investigation of the regulation of endotoxin-stimulated cytokine production following endotoxin pretreatment using cytokine bioassays, polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blot analyses. SETTING In vitro cell culture model of sequential endotoxin stimulation of murine macrophages. INTERVENTIONS Macrophages were pretreated with 0 or 100 ng/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS1) for 24 hours and then stimulated with 0 or 100 ng/mL of LPS (LPS2) for 4 or 24 hours. After stimulation, supernatant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels were measured by bioassay. Total RNA was extracted and messenger RNA (mRNA) corresponding to TNF and IL-1 was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or analyzed by Northern blot. RESULTS Endotoxin pretreatment resulted in the augmentation of IL-1 (mean +/- SD, 78 +/- 9 vs 596 +/- 42 pg/mL, P < .01) and the inhibition of TNF (274 +/- 63 vs 61 +/- 3 pg/mL, P < .01) release 4 hours after stimulation with 100 ng/mL of LPS2. A similar pattern of cytokine release was observed 24 hours after LPS2 stimulation. Pretreatment produced an increased IL-1 message in response to 100 ng/mL of LPS2. The TNF message was detectable in all groups receiving LPS2 alone, but the highest levels of TNF mRNA were seen in LPS1-pretreated cells stimulated with LPS2. CONCLUSIONS Endotoxin pretreatment produced increased IL-1 message that paralleled the augmentation of IL-1 protein, whereas abundant TNF message was present even though TNF protein release was significantly inhibited. In this model of in vitro endotoxin tolerance, pretreatment initiates divergent pathways of cytokine regulation.
Functional characterisation of obesity-associated variants involving the alpha and beta isoforms of human SH 2 B 1

Laura R. Pearce#, Ray Joe#, Michael E. Doche, Hsiao-Wen Su, Julia M. Keogh, Elana Henning, Lawrence S. Argetsinger, Elena G. Bochukova, Joel M. Cline, Sumedha Garg, Sadia Saeed, Steven Shoelson, Stephen O’Rahilly, Inês Barroso, Liangyou Rui, I. Sadaf Farooqi#, and Christin Carter-Su# University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, U.S.A. , Joslin Diabetes Center and Department of Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK. Brief Report:
The End Of Paganism In The North-Western Provinces Of The Roman Empire: The Example Of The Mithras Cult

The decline of Mithraism in the fourth century AD is used as a case-study for understanding the end of other classes of paganism' in the Roman western provinces. The author reviews epigraphic and numismatic evidence to date the final uses of Mithraea. He then discusses examples of wilful damage to Mithraic monuments. Drawing all this archaeological evidence into a historical framework, Sauer argues that rather than losing its social function as the Roman army became splintered, Mithraism was a healthy religion with active shrines until the very late fourth century. Rather than fading away, its desecrated monuments indicate that the religion was the victim of a sustained Christian attack which was also directed at other established faiths in the western provinces.
Adaptive Kalman filter for harmonic detection in active power filter application

This paper deals with the harmonic detection which is decoupled from the operation of active power filter. Kalman filter for harmonic detection based on a stochastic state-space model is proposed. However, it is a challenging task in large time varying system to know the process and noise covariance matrices Q and R. In this active power filter application, the current sensor TLC277CD and ADC LTC1403A which introduce load current measurement inaccuracies are analyzed to decide a rough R. Based on that R is exactly known, two adaptive Kalman filter algorithms to scale Q are proposed. One of the adaptive Kalman methods switches two basic Q matrices depending on the system in transient- or steady-state. The other Kalman algorithm tunes an optimal Q at each step by using the information of innovations sequence. The simulation results show that both adaptive Kalman filters have better dynamic performance than the regular Kalman filter.
Regulation of bradykinin‐induced activation of volume‐sensitive outwardly rectifying anion channels by Ca2+ nanodomains in mouse astrocytes

Non‐technical summary Cell volume regulation is an essential function involved not only in homeostasis, but also in cell migration, fission and programmed cell death. The volume‐sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) anion channel provides the main pathway for anion transport across the cell membrane during the regulation. We previously demonstrated that an inflammatory mediator, bradykinin, activates the VSOR channels in the major glial cells, astrocytes, in the brain derived from mice and the channels send signals to adjacent neurons through the release of glutamate. Here we demonstrate that this activation is controlled in the immediate vicinity of Ca2+‐permeable channel proteins in the astrocytes via high concentrations of intracellular Ca2+, so‐called ‘Ca2+ nanodomains’. This mechanism would provide a basis for responding quickly and certainly to even a minute amount of bradykinin released from surrounding tissues (e.g. slightly damaged blood vessel walls) with local control of cell shape changes and signal transmission by astrocytes.
Bacterial endotoxin: molecular relationships of structure to activity and function

Endotoxins of Gram‐negative microbes fulfill as components of the outer membrane a vital function for bacterial viability and, if set free, induce in mammalians potent pathophysiological effects. Chemically, they are lipopolysaccharides (LPS) consisting of an O‐specific chain, a core oligosaccharide, and a lipid component, termed lipid A. The latter determines the endotoxic activities and, together with the core constituent Kdo, essential functions for bacteria. The primary structure of lipid A of various bacterial origin has been elucidated and lipid A of Escherichia coli has been chemically synthesized. The biological analysis of synthetic lipid A partial structures proved that the expression of endotoxic activity depends on a unique primary structure and a peculiar endotoxic conformation. The biological lipid A effects are mediated by macrophage‐derived bioactive peptides such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF). Macrophages possess LPS receptors, and the lipid A regions involved in specific binding and cell activation have been characterized. Synthetic lipid A partial structures compete the specific binding of LPS or lipid A and antagonistically inhibit the production of LPS‐induced TNF. LPS toxicity, in general, and the ability of LPS to induce TNF are also suppressed by a recently developed monoclonal antibody (IgG2a), which is directed against an epitope located in the core oligosaccharide. At present we determine molecular and submolecular details of the specificity of the interaction of lipid A with responsive host cells with the ultimate aim to provide pharmacological or immunological therapeutics that reduce or abolish the fatal inflammatory consequences of endotoxicosis. —Rietschel, E. Th. , Kirikae, T. , Schade, F. U. , Mamat, U. , Schmidt, G. , Loppnow, H. , Ulmer, A. J., Zähringer, U. , Seydel, U. , Di Padova, F. , Schreier, M. , Brade, H. Bacterial endotoxin: molecular relationships of structure to activity and function. FASEB J. 8: 217‐225; 1994.
Sustained remission of CIDP associated with Evans syndrome

A patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) developed Evans syndrome (hemolytic anemia/thrombocytopenia) 17 months after onset of symptoms despite different immunomodulatory treatments. A therapeutic approach with the chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab induced substantial improvement of CIDP and hematologic recovery. The patient remains in sustained remission 17 months after completion of therapy. Rituximab may represent a successful therapy in otherwise refractory CIDP.
An improved low-power high-throughput log-MAP turbo decoder

This paper presents an efficient implementation of a high-throughput low-power turbo decoder. The design of the component decoder has been optimized so as to achieve low power implementation of the turbo decoder. A collision-free interleaver has been designed for appropriate parallel decoding operations. Performance enhancing techniques such as parallel processing and pipelining have been applied to realize the highly recursive and complex maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) decoder. Area, power and throughput of the proposed decoder architecture compare favorably with those of an architecture which has been recently reported in literature. The designed decoder, which achieves a throughput of 930 Mbps while consuming 265 mW of power, can be considered to be suitable for a number of real time applications.
Effect of metoclopramide on mivacurium‐induced neuromuscular block

In order to investigate the effect of metoclopramide on the duration of action of mivacurium, 45 patients were randomized into three groups. Group M10 (n = 15) and M20 (n = 15) received 10 and 20 mg of metoclopramide i.v. , respectively, and group S (n = 15) received saline 2 min before induction of anesthesia with fentanyl, thiopental and mivacurium. Plasma cholinesterase activity (pCHE) was measured before induction of anesthesia and 2 min after injection of metoclopramide and saline. Neuromuscular block was monitored by a force transducer using train of four nerve stimulation. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and N2O. Time to recovery of a twitch height of 90% was significantly prolonged in group M10 and M20 (44 ± 15 and 57 ± 10 min) as compared to group S, 32 ± 9 min, P < 0.05). A slight but significant decrease in pCHE was observed in group M20. Because of the risk of prolonged duration of action of mivacurium, neuromuscular blockade should always be monitored whenever metoclopramide is given before injection of mivacurium.
Loneliness, Optimism, and Well-Being Among Married, Divorced, and Widowed Individuals

ABSTRACT The study explored feelings of loneliness and dispositional optimism and their unique contribution to well-being. The sample included 196 women and men (M age = 45.94 years; 54% were women; 34% were married, 34% were divorced, and 32% were widowed) who completed inventories assessing feelings of loneliness, dispositional optimism, and well-being measured by life satisfaction and negative affect. Widows and widowers scored higher than married respondents on loneliness and negative affect and lower on life satisfaction and optimism. Divorced persons scored lower on life satisfaction than married respondents but higher than widows and widowers on optimism. Loneliness was negatively correlated with optimism. Multiple regression analyses using demographics, family status, loneliness, and optimism as independent variables showed that loneliness contributed negatively to well-being, while optimism contributed positively to well-being. A Structural Equation Modeling analysis and mediation tests showed that both loneliness and optimism mediated the effects of widowhood on well-being. The findings are in support of Conservation of Resources (COR) theory (S. E. Hobfoll, 1989, 2001).