Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved Vector Evaluated Genetic Algorithm with Archive for Solving Multiobjective PPS Problem

The process planning and scheduling (PPS) is to determine a solution (schedule), which tells a production facility what to make, when, and on which equipment, to process a set of parts with operations effectively. Multiobjective PPS problems become more complex because the decision maker need to make a trade-off between two or more objectives while determining a set of optimal nondominated solutions effectively. The previous research works use evolutionary algorithms (EA) to solve such problems, however, the proposed approaches cannot get a good balance between efficacy and efficiency. This paper proposed an improved vector evaluated genetic algorithm with archive (iVEGA-A) mechanism to deal with PPS problem while considering the minimization of the makespan and minimization of the variation of workload of machine. The proposed algorithm has been compared with other approaches to verify and benchmark the optimization reliability on PPS problems. These comparisons indicate iVEGA-A is better than vector evaluated genetic algorithm (VEGA) did on efficacy and negligible difference on efficiency. The efficacy is not less than some famous approaches, such as, nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm 2 (SPEA2) and the efficiency is obviously better than the latter.
False-Positive Results of Plasma PCR for Cytomegalovirus DNA due to Delayed Sample Preparation

ABSTRACT Positive results by cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR of plasma are considered predictive of active CMV infection in kidney allograft recipients. To assess whether contamination with leukocyte-derived CMV DNA can distort the results, aliquots of whole-blood samples from 60 CMV immunoglobulin G-positive patients with leukocyte CMV DNAemia were stored for up to 24 h at room temperature (RT) and at 4°C before plasma preparation. Native and ultrafiltered plasma samples were tested by CMV and β-globin PCRs. Among 30 latently infected patients (negative for CMV pp65 antigens), low baseline rates (10%) and levels (median number of copies, 10 [per 10 μl]) of CMV plasma DNAemia in native plasma samples increased significantly over time (after 4 h at RT, 37% [P < 0.001]; median number of copies, 45 [P < 0.001]). Similar effects were found during storage at 4°C. Ultrafiltration reduced the levels of CMV plasma DNAemia, but by 6 h of storage the levels were significantly elevated as well. CMV and β-globin DNA kinetics in plasma were parallel. In contrast, 30 actively infected patients (pp65 positive) had high baseline rates (87% in native samples) and levels (median number of copies, 75) of CMV plasma DNAemia. No significant effects of storage or ultrafiltration and no concordance with β-globin DNA kinetics were seen. In conclusion, delayed preparation of plasma samples bears a significant risk of false-positive CMV PCR results, probably due to leukocyte lysis. This has important implications in the clinical setting and for PCR standardization.
Environmental Costs of Government-Sponsored Agrarian Settlements in Brazilian Amazonia

Brazil has presided over the most comprehensive agrarian reform frontier colonization program on Earth, in which ~1.2 million settlers have been translocated by successive governments since the 1970’s, mostly into forested hinterlands of Brazilian Amazonia. These settlements encompass 5.3% of this ~5 million km2 region, but have contributed with 13.5% of all land conversion into agropastoral land uses. The Brazilian Federal Agrarian Agency (INCRA) has repeatedly claimed that deforestation in these areas largely predates the sanctioned arrival of new settlers. Here, we quantify rates of natural vegetation conversion across 1911 agrarian settlements allocated to 568 Amazonian counties and compare fire incidence and deforestation rates before and after the official occupation of settlements by migrant farmers. The timing and spatial distribution of deforestation and fires in our analysis provides irrefutable chronological and spatially explicit evidence of agropastoral conversion both inside and immediately outside agrarian settlements over the last decade. Deforestation rates are strongly related to local human population density and road access to regional markets. Agrarian settlements consistently accelerated rates of deforestation and fires, compared to neighboring areas outside settlements, but within the same counties. Relocated smallholders allocated to forest areas undoubtedly operate as pivotal agents of deforestation, and most of the forest clearance occurs in the aftermath of government-induced migration.
Transcriptional regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression by insulin-like growth factor-1 via MAP kinases and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in HepG2 cells

Summary Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) appear to play a crucial role in a number of processes associated with growth and tissue remodelling. IGF-1 was shown to enhance PAI-1 expression in primary hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional mechanism and the signaling pathway by which IGF-1 mediates induction of PAI-1 expression in HepG2 cells. By using human PAI-1 promoter reporter gene assays we found that mutation of the hypoxia responsive element (HRE), which could bind hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), nearly abolished the induction by IGF-1. We found that IGF-1-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 expression was associated with activation of HIF-1α. Furthermore, IGF-1 enhanced HIF-1α protein levels and HIF-1 DNA-binding to each HRE, E4 and E5 as shown by EMSA. Mutation of the E-boxes, E4 and E5, did not affect the IGF-1-dependent induction of PAI-1 promoter constructs under normoxia but abolished the effect of IGF-1 under hypoxia. Inhibition of either the PI3K by LY294002 or ERK1/2 by U0126 reduced HIF-1α protein levels while both inhibitors together completely abolished the IGF-1 effect on HIF-1α. Remarkably, transfection of HepG2 cells with vectors expressing a dominant-negative PDK1 or the PKB inhibitor, TRB3, did not influence while dominant-negative Raf inhibited the IGF-1 effect on HIF-1α. Thus, IGF-1 activates human PAI-1 gene expression through activation of the PI3-kinase and ERK1/2 via HIF-1α.
Disruption of Heat Shock Factor 1 Reveals an Essential Role in the Ubiquitin Proteolytic Pathway

ABSTRACT Inhibition of proteasome-mediated protein degradation machinery is a potent stress stimulus that causes accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and increased expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps). Hsps play pivotal roles in homeostasis and protection in a cell, through their well-recognized properties as molecular chaperones. The inducible Hsp expression is regulated by the heat shock transcription factors (HSFs). Among mammalian HSFs, HSF1 has been shown to be important for regulation of the heat-induced stress gene expression, whereas the function of HSF2 in stress response is unclear. Recent reports have suggested that both HSF1 and HSF2 are affected during down-regulation of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (Y. Kawazoe et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 255:356–362, 1998; A. Mathew et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 18:5091–5098, 1998; D. Kim et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 254:264–268, 1999). To date, however, no unambiguous evidence has been presented as to whether a single specific HSF or multiple members of the HSF family are required for transcriptional induction of heat shock genes when proteasome activity is down-regulated. Therefore, by using loss-of-function and gain-of-function strategies, we investigated the specific roles of mammalian HSFs in regulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated stress response. Here we demonstrate that HSF1, but not HSF2, is essential and sufficient for up-regulation of Hsp70 expression during down-regulation of the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway. We propose that specificity of HSF1 could be an important therapeutic target during disease pathogenesis associated with abnormal ubiquitin-dependent proteasome function.
Collaborative Power of Nrf2 and PPARγ Activators against Metabolic and Drug-Induced Oxidative Injury

Mammalian cells have evolved a unique strategy to protect themselves against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Especially, two transcription factors, nuclear factor erythroid 2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), have been shown to play key roles in establishing this cellular antioxidative defense system. Recently, several researchers reported ameliorating effects of pharmacological activators for these Nrf2 and PPARγ pathways on the progression of various metabolic disorders and drug-induced organ injuries by oxidative stress. In this review, general features of Nrf2 and PPARγ pathways in the context of oxidative protection will be summarized first. Then, a number of successful applications of natural and synthetic Nrf2 and PPARγ activators to the alleviation of pathological and drug-related oxidative damage will be discussed later.
Reproductive performance of Holstein cows administered GnRH analog HOE 766 (Buserelin) 26 to 34 days postpartum.

During the fourth week postpartum, 443 healthy Holstein cows milked thrice daily were randomly divided among four groups to receive 0, 2, 8 and 32 micrograms of the GnRH analog HOE 766. Intervals from calving to first estrus and to first breeding, from breeding to conception and conception rates at first breeding were calculated to measure treatment response, and progesterone was measured in the fat-free portion of milk samples collected twice weekly during the first 4 wk following treatment. Uterine involution at the time of treatment was estimated by palpation per rectum. Twenty percent of the cows examined were classified as having delayed uterine involution (abnormal). By analyzing milk progesterone patterns it was determined that 38% of the animals were in the luteal phase of an estrous cycle when treated. Cows without luteal tissue (less than 1 ng of progesterone/ml milk) given 8 or 32 micrograms of HOE 766 increased in progesterone to greater than or equal to 1 ng/ml within 7 d in 77 and 72% of the cows compared with 40 and 57% for cows receiving 0 and 2 micrograms (P less than .05). This increase in progesterone was followed by a normal estrous cycle within 4 wk in a higher proportion of cows treated with the two higher doses of GnRH analog (87 and 86%) compared with 67 and 70% of those receiving 0 or 2 micrograms of the analog (P less than .005). There were no treatment differences (P greater than .05) for other traits analyzed, but cows with a normal progesterone cycle were observed in estrus and were bred sooner (P less than .01) than those with irregular progesterone patterns. It was concluded that the GnRH analog hastened the onset of normal ovarian cycles in cows milked thrice daily.
Influence of arterial carbon dioxide tension on systemic vascular resistance in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

Background: The effects of induced hypothermia in cardiac surgical patients are not yet fully understood. Despite numerous studies on the effects of acid‐base management on organ blood flow, only little information is available on the effects of α‐stat versus pH‐stat management on systemic haemodynamics. We therefore compared the effect of a‐stat and pH‐stat acid‐base management on systemic haemodynamics in a prospective, controlled, cross‐over study.
Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among people aged 50 years and more in Banepa Municipality, Nepal.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a cardiovascular disorder rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in developing countries and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence and associated risk factors with hypertension among people aged 50 years and more in Banepa Municipality, Kavre, Nepal. METHODS It is a cross- sectional, population based study which was carried out in Banepa Municipality from May 15 to June 15, 2009. Among total 11 wards of Banepa municipally, wards number 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were selected by using Simple Random Sampling Technique and 405 subjects of people aged 50 years and more were selected for study from the selected wards by using Cluster Sampling. The structured interview method was used for collection of data. Mercury sphygmomanometers with standard cuff were used to measure the indirect auscultatory arterial blood pressure. Two consecutive blood pressure readings were taken and average of them was calculated to determine single value of blood pressure. RESULTS The prevalence of hypertension was 44.9 percent (47.75% in male and 42.73% in females). Among them, only 32.9 percent (60/182) were previously diagnosed as hypertension. The higher proportion of hypertensive cases were in age > 65 years (55.49%) than in the age group < 65 years (36.32%). The prevalence of hypertension was seen positively associated with non vegetarian eating habits, alcohol consumption, and > 25 Body max index. Taking green leafy vegetable at least once a week was negatively associated with the prevalence of the hypertension. CONCLUSION These findings provide important information on the prevalence, associated factors of hypertension in Banepa Municipality. Effective public health measures and strategies are needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and access to treatment of these 50 years and above population.
Pituitary Hormones mRNA Abundance in the Mediterranean Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax: Seasonal Rhythms, Effects of Melatonin and Water Salinity

In fish, most hormonal productions of the pituitary gland display daily and/or seasonal rhythmic patterns under control by upstream regulators, including internal biological clocks. The pineal hormone melatonin, one main output of the clocks, acts at different levels of the neuroendocrine axis. Melatonin rhythmic production is synchronized mainly by photoperiod and temperature. Here we aimed at better understanding the role melatonin plays in regulating the pituitary hormonal productions in a species of scientific and economical interest, the euryhaline European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. We investigated the seasonal variations in mRNA abundance of pituitary hormones in two groups of fish raised one in sea water (SW fish), and one in brackish water (BW fish). The mRNA abundance of three melatonin receptors was also studied in the SW fish. Finally, we investigated the in vitro effects of melatonin or analogs on the mRNA abundance of pituitary hormones at two times of the year and after adaptation to different salinities. We found that (1) the reproductive hormones displayed similar mRNA seasonal profiles regardless of the fish origin, while (2) the other hormones exhibited different patterns in the SW vs. the BW fish. (3) The melatonin receptors mRNA abundance displayed seasonal variations in the SW fish. (4) Melatonin affected mRNA abundance of most of the pituitary hormones in vitro; (5) the responses to melatonin depended on its concentration, the month investigated and the salinity at which the fish were previously adapted. Our results suggest that the productions of the pituitary are a response to multiple factors from internal and external origin including melatonin. The variety of the responses described might reflect a high plasticity of the pituitary in a fish that faces multiple external conditions along its life characterized by marked daily and seasonal changes in photoperiod, temperature and salinity.
Carotid sinus hypersensitivity in asymptomatic older persons: implications for diagnosis of syncope and falls.

BACKGROUND Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is the most commonly reported cause of falls and syncope in older persons. Recent guidelines recommend 5 to 10 seconds of carotid sinus massage in supine and upright positions with beat-to-beat monitoring. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of carotid sinus hypersensitivity in (1) an unselected community sample of older people and (2) a subsample with no history of syncope, dizziness, or falls using recently standardized diagnostic criteria. METHODS One thousand individuals older than 65 years were randomly sampled from a single general practice register; 272 participants underwent supine and upright carotid sinus massage with continuous heart rate and phasic blood pressure monitoring. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity was defined as asystole of 3 seconds or greater and/or a drop in systolic blood pressure of 50 mm Hg or greater. RESULTS Carotid sinus hypersensitivity was present in 107 individuals (39%); 24% had asystole of 3 seconds or greater during carotid sinus massage; and 16% had symptoms (including syncope) with carotid sinus hypersensitivity. Age (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.09) and male sex (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence intervals, 1.04-2.82) were the only predictors of carotid sinus hypersensitivity. In 80 previously asymptomatic individuals, carotid sinus hypersensitivity was present in 28 (35%) and accompanied by symptoms in 10. The 95th percentile for carotid sinus massage response was 7.3 seconds' asystole and a 77-mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is common in older persons, even those with no history of syncope, dizziness, or falls. The finding of a hypersensitive response should not necessarily preclude further investigation for other causes of syncope.
STS-XYTER, a high count-rate self-triggering silicon strip detector readout IC for high resolution time and energy measurements

We report on the design of a 128-channel ASIC named STS-XYTER (Silicon Tracking System - X - Y - Time -Energy Read-out) dedicated for signal detection from doublesided silicon microstrip sensors with high capacitance (CDET ≈ 30 pF). The STS-XYTER contains: 128 charge processing channels, a calibration unit, a biasing circuitry based on built-in band-gap reference source and a full digital back-end, which provides synchronization, control and sparsified fast data readout through four, 250 MHz DDR LVDS links based on the CBMnet protocol. The single readout channel uses two parallel signal processing paths (fast and slow) to handle an average rate of input pulses equals 150 kHz and provide an information about both interaction time and deposited charge with good noise performance and low power consumption (6.2 mW/channel) at the same time. The fast path, which is dedicated for determining the input charge arrival time, is built of: a fast shaper, a discriminator, a pulse stretcher and a time stamp latch. The slow path, which is optimized for a particle energy measurement, consists of a slow shaper, a 5-bit flash ADC and a digital peak detector.
Effects of Homologous Ghrelins on the Growth Hormone/Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Axis in the Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

Abstract Ghrelin is a gut-brain peptide synthesized mainly in the oxyntic mucosal cells of the stomach, and has potent growth hormone (GH)-releasing and orexigenic activities. Recently, two forms of ghrelin, ghrelin-C8 and -C10, were identified in the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). The present study describes in vitro and in vivo effects of these endogenous ghrelins on the GH/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis. Ghrelin-C8 (100 nM) stimulated GH release from primary cultures of pituitary cells after 4 and 8 h of incubation, whereas no effect was seen on prolactin (PRL) release. Stimulatory effects of ghrelin-C8 and -C10 (100 nM) on GH release during 6 h of incubation were blocked by pre-incubation with GHS receptor antagonist, [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (10 μM). Intraperitoneal injection of ghrelin-C8 (1 ng/g body weight) and -C10 (0.1 and 1 ng/g body weight) significantly increased plasma GH levels after 5 h. Significant increases were observed also in hepatic expression of IGF-I and GH receptor (GHR) mRNA following injections of both forms of ghrelin (0.1 and 1 ng/g body weight), although there was no effect on plasma levels of IGF-I. In the next experiment, both forms of ghrelin (1 ng/g body weight) significantly increased plasma IGF-I levels 10 h after the injection. No significant effect of either ghrelin was observed on plasma PRL levels. Both forms of GHS receptor (GHSR-1a and -1b) were found in the pituitary, clearly indicating that tilapia ghrelins stimulate primarily GH release through the GHS receptor. Stimulation of hepatic expression of IGF-I and GHR suggests metabolic roles of ghrelin in tilapia.
Statistical Hypoglycemia Prediction

Background: Hypoglycemia presents a significant risk for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We propose a predictive hypoglycemia detection algorithm that uses continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data with explicit certainty measures to enable early corrective action. Method: The algorithm uses multiple statistical linear predictions with regression windows between 5 and 75 minutes and prediction horizons of 0 to 20 minutes. The regressions provide standard deviations, which are mapped to predictive error distributions using their averaged statistical correlation. These error distributions give confidence levels that the CGM reading will drop below a hypoglycemic threshold. An alarm is generated if the resultant probability of hypoglycemia from our predictions rises above an appropriate, user-settable value. This level trades off the positive predictive value against lead time and missed events. Results: The algorithm was evaluated using data from 26 inpatient admissions of Navigator® 1-minute readings obtained as part of a DirecNet study. CGM readings were postprocessed to remove dropouts and calibrate against finger stick measurements. With a confidence threshold set to provide alarms that correspond to hypoglycemic events 60% of the time, our results were (1) a 23-minute mean lead time, (2) false positives averaging a lowest blood glucose value of 97 mg/dl, and (3) no missed hypoglycemic events, as defined by CGM readings. Using linearly interpolated FreeStyle capillary glucose readings to define hypoglycemic events provided (1) the lead time was 17 minutes, (2) the lowest mean glucose with false alarms was 100 mg/dl, and (3) no hypoglycemic events were missed. Conclusion: Statistical linear prediction gives significant lead time before hypoglycemic events with an explicit, tunable trade-off between longer lead times and fewer missed events versus fewer false alarms.
Improving Marine Water Quality by Mussel Farming: A Profitable Solution for Swedish Society

Abstract Eutrophication of coastal waters is a serious environmental problem with high costs for society globally. In eastern Skagerrak, reductions in eutrophication are planned through reduction of nitrogen inputs, but it is unclear how this can be achieved. One possible method is the cultivation of filter-feeding organisms, such as blue mussels, which remove nitrogen while generating seafood, fodder and agricultural fertilizer, thus recycling nutrients from sea to land. The expected effect of mussel farming on nitrogen cycling was modeled for the Gullmar Fjord on the Swedish west coast and it is shown that the net transport of nitrogen (sum of dissolved and particulate) at the fjord mouth was reduced by 20%. Existing commercial mussel farms already perform this service for free, but the benefits to society could be far greater. We suggest that rather than paying mussel farmers for their work that nutrient trading systems are introduced to improve coastal waters. In this context an alternative to nitrogen reduction in the sewage treatment plant in Lysekil community through mussel farming is presented. Accumulation of bio-toxins has been identified as the largest impediment to further expansion of commercial mussel farming in Sweden, but the problem seems to be manageable through new techniques and management strategies. On the basis of existing and potential regulations and payments, possible win-win solutions are suggested.