Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Generalization of Zeckendorf's Theorem via Circumscribed $m$-gons

Zeckendorf's theorem states that every positive integer can be uniquely decomposed as a sum of nonconsecutive Fibonacci numbers, where the Fibonacci numbers satisfy $F_n=F_{n-1}+F_{n-2}$ for $n\geq 3$, $F_1=1$ and $F_2=2$. The distribution of the number of summands in such decomposition converges to a Gaussian, the gaps between summands converges to geometric decay, and the distribution of the longest gap is similar to that of the longest run of heads in a biased coin; these results also hold more generally, though for technical reasons previous work needed to assume the coefficients in the recurrence relation are non-negative and the first term is positive. We extend these results by creating an infinite family of integer sequences called the $m$-gonal sequences arising from a geometric construction using circumscribed $m$-gons. They satisfy a recurrence where the first $m+1$ leading terms vanish, and thus cannot be handled by existing techniques. We provide a notion of a legal decomposition, and prove that the decompositions exist and are unique. We then examine the distribution of the number of summands used in the decompositions and prove that it displays Gaussian behavior. There is geometric decay in the distribution of gaps, both for gaps taken from all integers in an interval and almost surely in distribution for the individual gap measures associated to each integer in the interval. We end by proving that the distribution of the longest gap between summands is strongly concentrated about its mean, behaving similarly as in the longest run of heads in tosses of a coin.
Histochemical demonstration of reversible anticholinesterase action at selective cellular sites in vivo.

N,N9-bis (2-diethylaminoethyl) oxamide bis-2-chlorobenzyl chloride (WIN 8077) and the corresponding bis-2-methoxybenzyl chloride salt (WIN 8078) are reversible, selective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which have been shown previously to produce cholinomimetic effects in doses (0.0005 to 0.02 micromol./kgm.) far below those which cause measurable AChE-inhibition in vivo. In the present study, their pI 50 9s for inhibition of the AChE of cat brain homogenate were found to be 7.6 and 5.6 respectively. When the same homogenate was incubated with varying concentrations of the two inhibitors, over ranges producing twenty to nearly one hundred per cent inhibition, the equivalent percentages were protected against a concentration (10 -4 M ) of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) which produced complete inactivation of the enzyme in the absence of the reversible inhibitors. The protective effect against DFP was also demonstrated histochemically: sections of ciliary and stellate ganglia which were incubated with WIN 8077 or WIN 8078 plus DFP, then washed and stained for AChE, showed the presence of increasing enzymatic activity with increasing concentrations of the two reversible inhibitors, whereas no activity was present after DFP alone. This principle was then employed to determine the sites of AChE-inhibition produced by various doses of WIN 8077 and WIN 8078 in vivo. Anesthetized, atropinized cats were given intravenous injections of WIN 8077 (0.0005 to 0.5 micromol./kgm.) or WIN 8078 (0.005 to 0.5 micromol./kgm.), and five minutes later received 20.0 micromol. of DFP/kgm. , i.v. ; thirty to forty minutes after DFP, they were sacrificed. The stellate and ciliary ganglia and a portion of intercostal muscle were removed, and the tissues were sectioned and stained for AChE-activity. Sections of ganglia from cats which had received only DFP were completely blank; motor endplates were stained faintly. The ciliary and stellate ganglia of one of the two cats which had received 0.0005 micromol. of WIN 8077/kgm. showed faint staining. Both ganglia of all cats which had received 0.005 micromol. of WIN 8077, or 0.05 micromol. of WIN 8078, or more were stained, with increasing intensity at higher doses or longer periods of incubation. Staining was most marked at the borders of the neurons of the ciliary ganglia, and in the intercellular plexuses of the stellate ganglia; the cytoplasm of the ciliary ganglion cells, which stains intensely in untreated controls, remained blank. Motor endplates showed evidence of AChE-inhibition over the same dosage ranges of WIN 8077 and WIN 8078. Results are discussed with respect to correlation between AChE-inhibition and pharmacological action, the concept of "functional" and "reserve" AChE, and possible physiological roles of AChE other than enzymatic.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of intra-articular injections of a high molecular weight bioengineered hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain

Abstract Objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of bioengineered hyaluronic acid (BioHA, 1% sodium hyaluronate) intra-articular injections in treating osteoarthritis knee pain in poor responders to conventional care (CC) including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. Methods: Two decision analytic models compared BioHA treatment with either continuation of patient’s baseline CC with no assumption of disease progression (Model 1), or CC including escalating care costs due to disease progression (NSAIDs and analgesics, corticosteroid injections, and surgery; Model 2). Analyses were based on patients who received two courses of 3-weekly intra-articular BioHA (26-week FLEXX Trial + 26-week Extension Study). BioHA group costs included fees for physician assessment and injection regimen, plus half of CC costs. Cost-effectiveness ratios were expressed as averages and incremental costs per QALY. One-way sensitivity analyses used the 95% confidence interval (CI) of QALYs gained in BioHA-treated patients, and ±20% of BioHA treatment and CC costs. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed for Model 2. Results: For 214 BioHA patients, the average utility gain was 0.163 QALYs (95% CI = −0.162 to 0.488) over 52 weeks. Model 1 treatment costs were $3469 and $4562 for the BioHA and CC groups, respectively; sensitivity analyses showed BioHA to be the dominant treatment strategy, except when at the lower end of the 95% CI. Model 2 annual treatment costs per QALY gained were $1446 and $516 for the BioHA and CC groups, respectively. Using CC as baseline strategy, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of BioHA was $38,741/QALY gained, and was sensitive to response rates in either the BioHA or CC groups. Conclusion: BioHA is less costly and more effective than CC with NSAIDs and analgesics, and is the dominant treatment strategy. Compared with escalating CC, the $38,741/QALY ICER of BioHA remains within the $50,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold to adopt a new technology.
Kupffer cell blockade, tumour necrosis factor secretion and survival following endotoxin challenge in experimental biliary obstruction

Gram‐negative sepsis and its sequelae frequently complicate invasive procedures in patients with obstructive jaundice. In response to endotoxin, Kupffer cells secrete tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a pivotal early mediator of sepsis. An investigation was carried out into the specific role of Kupffer cell TNF secretion following endotoxin challenge in obstructive jaundice.
Effect of frequency of electrical stimulation on the concentration of intermediary metabolites in mammalian non‐myelinated fibres

The present experiments are concerned with the effects of electrical stimulation on the concentrations of phosphate esters in non-myelinated nerve fibres. Phosphate esters of living cells serve as an intermediary step in the conversion of energy derived from the oxidation of foodstuffs into a form which the cells can use to carry out their function. For peripheral nerves this concept has been discussed by Gerard (1955). It has been difficult, however, to obtain evidence in support of the view from experiments performed on myelinated nerve fibres. For instance, Gerard & Tupikova (1939) apparently obtained decreases in the levels of creatine phosphate (CrP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in these nerve fibres in the frog only with severe conditions of stimulation. The difficulty of demonstrating such decreases in myelinated nerve fibres as a result of electrical stimulation can be understood by considering the absolute size of the ion movements during impulse conduction, since the estimated change in sodium concentration per impulse is extremely small. On the other hand, in small non-myelinated fibres such as the C fibres of vertebrates, the estimated change in sodium concentration per impulse is several thousand times greater. These fibres, then, should have an enormously greater energy dissipation per impulse, in the form of downhill ion movements, than do myelinated A fibres, and should, therefore, require correspondingly greater energy to restore the ionic gradients which existed before the impulse conduction. Accordingly, a nerve bundle containing C fibres should provide a more suitable preparation than myelinated nerve fibres for the study of the role of ATP in the energetics of impulse conduction. We have therefore examined the effect of nerve stimulation on the level of
Amplitude modulation following responses in awake and sleeping humans - a comparison for 40 Hz and 80 Hz modulation frequency

There have been several studies, which suggest that the amplitude of amplitude modulation following responses (AMFR) is correlated to the state of vigilance, similar to the 40 Hz event-related potentials. The aim of the present study was to compare the dependency of the AMFR-amplitude from the state of sleep for 40 Hz and 80 Hz modulation frequency. Eight normal hearing adults were investigated during natural and drug-induced sleep. The stimuli used were sinusoidally amplitude-modulated tones of 1 kHz carried frequency and 40 or 80 Hz modulation frequency at 60 dB nH stimulation level. For 40 Hz modulation frequency an increase of EEG-activity in the Delta-and Theta-band during periods of sleep correlates significantly with a decreased AMFR-amplitude whereas for 80 Hz no significant relation between stage of sleep and AMFR-amplitude could be found. The results suggest that in audiological use of 40 Hz-AMFR the state of vigilance should be monitored and stabilized at a high level.
Reference Limits for Chromogranin A, CYFRA 21-1, CA 125, CA 19-9 and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have increased plasma concentrations of some tumor markers even when no cancer is present. Previous studies have indicated that plasma concentrations of chromogranin A (CGA), cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1), cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are higher in patients with CKD but without cancer, than in healthy individuals, and this can make interpretation of results more complicated. The aim of this study was to establish reference limits for these markers in patients with CKD not receiving dialysis and with no clinical evidence of cancer. Methods We measured plasma concentrations in samples from 131 patients with CKD due to various etiologies and studied the association of tumor marker concentrations with estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and other patient characteristics. Results Estimated reference limits for plasma CA 125, CA 19-9 and CEA were approximately the same as for healthy populations. Serum concentrations of CGA and CYFRA 21-1 correlated strongly with estimated GFR, and GFR-dependent reference limits were estimated. Conclusions GFR-dependent reference limits for CGA and CYFRA 21-1 are reported in order to support interpretation of these markers in patients with CKD.
Comprehensive Comparative Study of Computed Tomography–Based Estimates of Split Renal Function for Potential Renal Donors: Modified Ellipsoid Method and Other CT-Based Methods

Objective To investigate a new modified computed tomographic (CT) ellipsoid method of split renal function and to compare results from this method with other CT-derived metrics. Methods Thirty-eight potential renal donors with both CT and nuclear renography were retrospectively evaluated for estimated split function using 6 CT methods to determine accuracy. For the CT methods, correlation, reproducibility, ease in image post-processing, and the ability of CT-derived methods to determine the dominant kidney before renal transplantation were evaluated using a nuclear renography reference standard. Results Four of the 6 CT methods (split renal volume, modified ellipsoid method, parenchymal area, attenuation capacity) showed similar strong correlation (r = 0.84–0.79). Bland-Altman analysis revealed similar performance in differences (SDs <3.0%) between those CT measures and reference standard, as well as good interobserver agreement for the modified ellipsoid and parenchymal area methods. The technically simpler methods had inferior performance. Post-processing time for the modified ellipsoid method was significantly shorter than semiautomated split renal volume or parenchymal area method (P < 0.01). Each CT-based method showed excellent agreement (100% or 97.4%) with renography regarding the determination of dominant kidney. Conclusions Excellent correlation with nuclear split renal function supports the use of CT alone for the imaging assessment for many potential renal donors, including the decision of which kidney to harvest. Among the CT-based methods, the modified ellipsoid method can be performed rapidly with high accuracy and reproducibility.
Articulatory and voicing characteristics of adult dysarthric and verbal dyspraxic speakers: an instrumental study.

The instrumental techniques of electropalatography and pneumotachography are used to examine details of tongue-palate contacts and VOT characteristics of three adult male subjects: two described as dysarthric and one as dyspraxic. A comparison is made between the subjects, and the results are compared with data from four normal speakers. The information is considered with reference to the neurological bases of these disorders of speech, and the advantages of an instrumental investigation over traditional auditory based assessments are exemplified. Some implications for therapy are also considered.
Further analytical results on the joint detection of cochannel signals using diversity arrays

We derive a fully analytical expression for the union bound on symbol-error rate for the joint detection of several cochannel fading signals using a diversity antenna array, putting numerical results previously published on a firm analytical base. We prove that with pilot-based multiuser channel estimation, any number of users can enjoy diversity order equal to the number of antennas, and we quantify the performance penalty relative to single-user binary phase-shift keying as a function of number of users, constellation density, and number of antennas. We also demonstrate the interdependence of all users participating in the detection process.
Perioperative Mortality Risk Score using Pre- and Post-operative Risk Factors in Older Patients

We developed a risk score for 30-day postoperative mortality: the Perioperative Mortality risk score. We used a derivation cohort from a previous study of surgical patients aged 70 years or more at three large metropolitan teaching hospitals, using the significant risk factors for 30-day mortality from multivariate analysis. We summed the risk score for each of six factors creating an overall Perioperative Mortality score. We included 1012 patients and the 30-day mortality was 6%. The three preoperative factors and risk scores were (“three A's”): 1) age, years: 70 to 79=1, 80 to 89=3, 90+=6; 2) ASA physical status: ASA I or II=0, ASA III=3, ASA IV=6, ASA V=15; and 3) preoperative albumin <30 g/l=2.5. The three postoperative factors and risk scores were (“three I's”) 1) unplanned intensive care unit admission =4.0; 2) systemic inflammation =3; and 3) acute renal impairment=2.5. Scores and mortality were: <5=1%, 5 to 9.5=7% and ≥10=26%. We also used a preliminary validation cohort of 256 patients from a regional hospital. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (C-statistic) for the derivation cohort was 0.80 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.86) similar to the validation C-statistic: 0.79 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.88), P=0.88. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P=0.35) indicated good calibration in the validation cohort. The Perioperative Mortality score is straightforward and may assist progressive risk assessment and management during the perioperative period. Risk associated with surgical complexity and urgency could be added to this baseline patient factor Perioperative Mortality score.
7 b-Hydroxycholesterol induces Ca 2 + oscillations , MAP kinase activation and apoptosis in human aortic smooth muscle cells

In the present study, we characterize the early cytotoxic effects of 7b-hydroxycholesterol, a major cytotoxin in oxidized LDL, in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Within a few minutes after addition, 7b-hydroxycholesterol induced Ca oscillations with a frequency of :0.3–0.4 min. A few hours later, thapsigargin-sensitive Ca pools were depleted, indicating that 7b-hydroxycholesterol perturbs intracellular Ca homeostasis. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1 and ERK2 (but not JNK) were activated within 5 min after addition of 7b-hydroxycholesterol. The side-chain hydroxylated oxysterols 25-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol were more potent in inducing apoptosis than 7b-hydroxycholesterol and cholesterol-5a,6aepoxide, as determined by TUNEL staining. Addition of TNFa (10 ng/ml) and IFNg (20 ng/ml) enhanced the cytotoxicity of oxysterols and potentiated apoptosis. The cytokines alone were not toxic to smooth muscle cells at these concentrations. 25-Hydroxycholesterol and 7b-hydroxycholesterol but not cholesterol inhibited protein synthesis at 4–8 h as determined by [S]methionine incorporation assay. Morphologically, oxysterol-induced cell death was characterized by disorganization of the ER and Golgi membranes. The Ca and ERK signals preceded the ultrastructural changes induced by 7b-hydroxycholesterol. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Changing the reference measure in the simplex and its weighting effects

Standard analysis of compositional data under the assumption that the Aitchison geometry holds assumes a uniform distribution as reference measure of the space. Weighting of parts can be done changing the reference measure. The changes that appear in the algebraic-geometric structure of the simplex are analysed, as a step towards understanding the implications for elementary statistics of random compositions. Some of the standard tools in exploratory analysis of compositional data analysis, such as center, variation matrix and biplots are studied in some detail, although further research is still needed. The main conclusion is that down-weighting some parts is approaching the geometry of the corresponding subcomposition , thus preserving a kind of coherence between standard and down-weighted analyses.
Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene and Protein Expression in Cyclosporin‐Induced Overgrown Edentulous Gingiva in Rats

Background: To examine the effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) on the expression of growth factors in induced gingival overgrowth with limited contributing factors arising from local inflammation caused by bacterial plaque, this study of gingival overgrowth was designed on the edentulous ridge of rats. Methods: After a 3-week healing period following maxillary molar extractions, 16 five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to CsA and control groups. Animals in the CsA group were fed 30 mg/kg CsA daily, whereas the control rats received a mineral oil vehicle instead. After 4 weeks, all animals were sacrificed, and the morphology of edentulous ridges was recorded by dental impression. The gingivae on the left-hand side were dissected and stored for mRNA analysis, whereas the gingivae on the right-hand side were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor β (PDGF-β), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), .
VITREAL LEVELS OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ARE INCREASED IN PATIENTS WITH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION AND CORRELATE WITH VITREAL VEGF AND THE EXTENT OF MACULAR EDEMA

Purpose: This study compares vitreal levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with control subjects. In addition, it investigates different RVO disease parameters (time of vein occlusion, patient age, vitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and extent of central macular edema) for possible correlations with vitreal EPO levels. Methods: Serum and vitreal EPO were measured from 6 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, 6 patients with central retinal vein occlusion, and 12 control subjects (10 macular puckers and 2 macular holes). Results: Serum EPO levels (9.8 ± 4.9 mU/mL) did not differ between the RVO and control groups and were significantly lower than vitreal EPO levels in all groups. Vitreal EPO was elevated both in branch RVO (91 ± 59 mU/mL) and central RVO (182 ± 70 mU/mL) compared with controls (35 ± 24 mU/mL). Increased vitreal EPO correlated with higher vitreal VEGF (r = 0.64, P = 0.0008) and more pronounced central macular edema (r = 0.66, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that EPO is locally expressed in the retina and that it is upregulated together with VEGF in RVO eyes. Because of its role both in neuroprotection and angiogenesis, ocular EPO might represent an interesting target to investigate in patients with RVO, especially in light of the current anti-VEGF treatments.
Knowledge Processing for Autonomous Robots

Autonomous robots are becoming more and more skilled in performing human-scale manipulation tasks, and will soon become common co-workers in our homes. In this work, we describe a framework for representing the knowledge that an autonomous robot needs for performing household tasks, for automated reasoning on this knowledge, and for acquiring new knowledge from sources on the Internet and from observations of human activities. The developed methods allow programmers to write more general and flexible control programs and help robots to execute incomplete and underspecified instructions.
Biodegradation of methane, benzene, and toluene by a consortium MBT14 enriched from a landfill cover soil

In this study, landfill cover soil was used as an inoculum source to enrich a methane, benzene, and toluene-degrading consortium MBT14. Under a single substrate, the maximum degradation rates of methane, benzene and toluene were 1.96, 0.15, and 0.77 mmole g-DCW−1 h−1, respectively. Although the coexistence of benzene and toluene inhibited the methane degradation rates, the consortium was able to simultaneously degrade methane, benzene and toluene. Methane had an insignificant effect on benzene or toluene degradation. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, Cupriavidus spp. are dominant in the consortium MBT14. The combined results of this study indicate that the consortium MBT 14 is a promising bioresource for removing CH4, benzene, and toluene from a variety of environments.