Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Sensitivity/Uncertainty Analysis Using the Combined Stochastic Response Surface Method and Automated Differentiation: Application to Environmental and Biological Systems

Estimation of uncertainties associated with model predictions is an important component of the application of environmental and biological models. “Traditional” methods for propagating uncertainty, such as standard Monte Carlo and Latin Hypercube Sampling, however, often require performing a prohibitive number of model simulations, especially for complex, computationally intensive models. Here, a computationally efficient method for uncertainty propagation, the Stochastic Response Surface Method (SRSM) is coupled with another method, the Automatic Differentiation of FORTRAN (ADIFOR). The SRSM is based on series expansions of model inputs and outputs in terms of a set of “well‐behaved” standard random variables. The ADIFOR method is used to transform the model code into one that calculates the derivatives of the model outputs with respect to inputs or transformed inputs. The calculated model outputs and the derivatives at a set of sample points are used to approximate the unknown coefficients in the series expansions of outputs. A framework for the coupling of the SRSM and ADIFOR is developed and presented here. Two case studies are presented, involving (1) a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for perchloroethylene for humans, and (2) an atmospheric photochemical model, the Reactive Plume Model. The results obtained agree closely with those of traditional Monte Carlo and Latin hypercube sampling methods, while reducing the required number of model simulations by about two orders of magnitude.
Association between serum lipids and apolipoprotein E phenotype is influenced by diet in a population-based sample of free-living children and young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a genetic determinant of coronary heart disease and lipid levels in several populations. We studied whether the association of apoE alleles with serum lipids varies with diet in a population of free-living young Finns. One thousand twelve subjects, aged 9-24 years, were studied as a part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study in 1986. Serum lipid concentrations and apoE phenotypes were determined, and the composition of the diet was assessed by the 48-h recall method. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the intake of dietary saturated fatty acids (SAFA, g/1000 kcal) and cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal). Group one (high SAFA-cholesterol group) was formed from subjects belonging to the highest tertiles of both cholesterol and SAFA intakes (n = 175); group two (middle SAFA-cholesterol group) consisted of subjects belonging to the middle respective tertiles (n = 119); and group three (low SAFA-cholesterol group) consisted of subjects belonging to the lowest respective tertiles (n = 192). The statistical significance of the association of serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration with apoE phenotype increased from the low SAFA-cholesterol group (P = 0.024 for total cholesterol and P = 0.015 for LDL-cholesterol, respectively) to the high SAFA-cholesterol group (P = 0.0022 and P = 0.00073, respectively). The middle SAFA-cholesterol group fell between these two groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Differential Mechanism Is Involved During Heparin- and Cryopreservation-Induced Capacitation of Bovine Spermatozoa

Abstract After ejaculation, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo capacitation to fertilize. Capacitation of bovine spermatozoa occurs in vitro in medium supplemented with heparin. Semen cryopreservation is an important tool for assisted reproduction, although the fertility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa is reduced, possibly due to precocious capacitation-like changes that are known to occur. Our purpose was to clarify the mechanisms involved in bull sperm cryocapacitation induced by cryopreservation. Our general hypothesis is that the signaling pathways that lead to capacitation are triggered by the cryopreservation procedure. Ejaculated bovine semen was divided into two aliquots and diluted in extender; one was then kept fresh, whereas the second was cryopreserved. Western blots of extracted sperm proteins with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody showed that capacitation, induced by either heparin in fresh sperm or cryopreservation (cryocapacitation), is associated with a differential profile of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Immunolocalization of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in the fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa showed that, after thawing, cryocapacitated sperm displayed labeling over the acrosomal region, whereas for fresh sperm, this labeling appeared after 5-h incubation with heparin. The chlortetracycline assay and the ability of the sperm to undergo the lysophosphatidylcholine-induced acrosome reaction were used to confirm that a subpopulation of cryopreserved sperm is capacitated at thawing, irrespective of heparin inclusion. Since glucose is known to inhibit heparin-induced capacitation, the semen extender was modified to include glucose as a means of inhibiting cryocapacitation; however, cryocapacitation was not prevented according to the chlortetracycline assay and profile of phosphotyrosine-containing sperm proteins.
A Randomized Study to Compare the Effects of Once-Weekly Dulaglutide Injection and Once-Daily Glimepiride on Glucose Fluctuation of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A 26-Week Follow-Up

Objective To evaluate the effects of once-weekly dulaglutide injection and once-daily glimepiride on glucose fluctuation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS). Methods A total of 23 patients with T2DM were randomly assigned into two groups for 26 weeks: the dulaglutide group (n = 13) and the glimepiride group (n = 10). 72-hour CGMS was applied to all patients: before and after the treatment. General clinical data were collected and measured, such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results HbA1c of the dulaglutide group was reduced from 8.38 ± 0.93% to 6.68 ± 0.73% after the treatment (P < 0.05); similarly, it was reduced from 7.91 ± 0.98% to 6.67 ± 0.74% (P < 0.05) in the glimepiride group. The levels of serum 8-iso-PGF2α, TNF-α, and IL-6 all decreased significantly in both groups after treatment, and there was no significant difference found between the two groups (P > 0.05). The Mean Blood Glucose (MBG) of the two groups declined significantly after therapy (P < 0.05). However, the Standard Deviation of Blood Glucose (SDBG) decreased significantly only in the dulaglutide group (from 2.57 ± 0.74 mmol/L to 1.98 ± 0.74 mmol/L, P < 0.05). There were no significant changes of Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursion (MAGE) and Absolute Means of Daily Difference (MODD) after treatment in both groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in MBG, SDBG, MAGE, and MODD (P > 0.05). The percentage time (PT) (>10 mmol/L and 3.9-10 mmol/L) of the two groups was significantly changed after the treatment (P < 0.05). However, this was not seen in the PT < 3.9 mmol/L after the treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion Once-weekly dulaglutide injection has the same effectiveness as daily glimepiride on lowering blood glucose and decreasing oxidation stress and inflammation and is more effective in controlling glucose fluctuation as compared with glimepiride. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01644500.
PAYOFFS FROM COMPUTERIZATION - LESSONS OVER TIME

Today the federal government, all 50 states, and virtually all city and county governments utilize computers. At the city and county levels alone, computers are used for some 450 different computer applications including paying employees, sending utility bills, analyzing demographic data, routing vehicles, and allocating manpower.1 This extensive use of computers is the result of the promised payoffs from computerization.
Prenatal stress suppresses cell proliferation in the early developing brain

Although prenatal stress has been repeatedly shown to inhibit adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of offspring, its effects on embryonic and early postnatal brain development are not well described. Here, using the cell proliferation marker 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, we examine for the first time the effect of prenatal stress at the embryonic stage on cell proliferation in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and amygdala. We show that prenatal stress induces a significant decrease in density of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-positive cells in the nucleus accumbens (40%) and hippocampus (60%), and a nonsignificant decrease in the amygdala (30%). Taken together, these results demonstrate the adverse effects of prenatal maternal stress on early development in limbic brain regions and the potential mechanisms are discussed.
Lipids, Lipoproteins and Apolipoprotein (a) Isoforms in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a greater than normal risk of developing atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Higher than normal plasma concentrations of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] have been associated with premature atherosclerosis in several studies. Objective To determine the concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and Lp(a) in 107 type 2 diabetic patients, and the distribution of apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] phenotypes for this group, and to compare the results found with results for health-subjects. Results Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B in the diabetics were significantly higher than those in control subjects. Diabetic patients had slightly lower Lp(a) concentrations than did nondiabetic subjects, but these differences were not statistically significant. Distribution; of Lp(a) concentrations both in type 2 diabetic patients and in control subjects were markedly skewed, the highest prevalences being of low values. Conclusion Distributions of apo(a) phenotypes for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and controls were remarkably alike. Smaller isoforms were similarly prevalent for the two populations, as were the null, single-band and double-band apo(a) phenotypes.
Predictors of successful pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty: 10-year experience.

At our institution, 55 infants and children (ages 0.3-21 yr, median 2.5 yr) underwent pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty between August 1983 and May 1993. Systolic pressure gradients fell acutely following balloon valvuloplasty from 63.5 +/- 24.8 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) to 26.7 +/- 12.9 mmHg (P < 0.001) with a decrease in systolic pressure ratio from 0.81 +/- 0.25 to 0.42 +/- 0.12 (P < 0.0001). Fifty of the 55 patients had long-term echocardiographic evaluation performed > 2 yr following balloon valvuloplasty. Thirty-four of the 50 patients (Group A; 68%) were classified as having successful (residual systolic gradients < 25 mmHg, ventricular systolic pressure ratios < 0.6) long-term outcomes. Their peak systolic gradients fell acutely from 58.8 +/- 16.6 mmHg to 22.7 +/- 11.2 mmHg (P < 0.001). At 4.6 +/- 2.3 yr postvalvuloplasty, peak instantaneous pressure gradients were 17.8 +/- 5.7 mmHg (P = ns vs. acute postvalvuloplasty). Fifteen of the 50 patients (Group B; 30%) had unsuccessful (residual systolic gradients > or = 25 mmHg and/or ventricular systolic pressure ratios > 0.6) long-term outcomes. Their peak instantaneous systolic gradients fell acutely from 76.5 +/- 33.1 mmHg to 36.6 +/- 11.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). At 3.8 +/- 1.7 yr postvalvuloplasty, peak instantaneous pressure gradients were 35.1 +/- 9.1 mmHg (P = ns vs. acute postvalvuloplasty). One 3-yr-old patient (Group C, 2%) required repeat balloon valvuloplasty on two separate occasions for recurrent stenosis. There was no significant prevalvuloplasty difference between Groups A and B with regard to age, weight, or Z scores of the pulmonary annuli or balloon/annulus ratio; however, patients in Group A had significantly lower prevalvuloplasty gradients and lower systolic pressure ratios than patients in Group B. Total systolic gradient reduction between patients with successful and unsuccessful outcomes was not significantly different (Group A: 36.1 +/- 16.6 mmHg; Group B: 41 +/- 22.3 mmHg). At long-term follow-up, patients in Group A had fewer symptoms and a significantly lower rate of electrocardiographic right ventricular hypertrophy than Group B patients. Successful outcomes defined by our criteria following balloon valvuloplasty were achieved in 68% of patients with greatest long-term success in patients with prevalvuloplasty systolic gradients < 60 mmHg and systolic pressure ratios < 0.8. Intervention at lesser systolic gradients (40-60 mmHg) appears indicated to achieve lower long-term gradients and fewer symptoms as total systolic gradient reduction by this technique is limited.
Dietary Soy Protein Selectively Reduces Renal Prostanoids and Cyclooxygenases in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Increasing evidence in human chronic kidney disease and in animal models indicates the potential utility of dietary soy protein in the treatment of this disorder. A model in which a beneficial soy protein effect has been consistently demonstrated is the Han:SPRD-cy rat model of polycystic kidney disease. Therefore, since dietary soy protein alters renal hemodynamics and prostanoid production, the effects of dietary soy protein on renal prostanoids and related rate-limiting enzymes were examined. Normal and diseased weanling rats were given diets containing casein or soy protein for 7 wk. At 10 wk of age, renal levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2, stable metabolite of TXA2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto PGF1α (stable metabolite of PGI2) and activities of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) and COX2 were elevated in diseased compared to normal kidneys. Soy protein feeding resulted in 49% lower in vitro steady-state levels of TXB2, and 76% less 6-keto PGF1α produced by COX1 activity in diseased kidneys, while not altering these parameters in normal kidneys. It also resulted in 47% less TXB2 and 36% lower 6-keto PGF1α produced by COX2 activity in diseased kidneys. The relative effect of soy protein feeding on COX2 activity was in the order of TXB2 > 6-keto PGF1α > PGE2. Diseased kidneys had elevated protein and mRNA levels of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and COX1 and lower levels of COX2. Dietary soy protein attenuated the protein levels of cPLA2 in diseased kidneys, and reduced COX2 mRNA expression in both normal and diseased kidneys. Dietary soy protein therefore reduced the levels of specific renal prostanoids, cPLA2 and COX enzymes in this model of polycystic kidney disease, a model in which soy protein has been demonstrated to reduce disease progression.
The Role of Informational Arrival for the Australian Dollar Trading Volume and Volatility

This study investigates the impact of scheduled and unscheduled information arrival on realized volatility and volume in the USD/AUD exchange rate. We find that trading outside of Australian business hours dominates and this is mostly due to the higher frequency of information arrivals during the offshore trading period. Where the different sources of information are considered, our findings reveal that it is offshore money market news that is the most important determinant of AUD volatility. Fixed income and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange related news however, were found to be the most important determinants of AUD volume. Finally, while Australian macroeconomic announcements were found to have a more consistent impact on AUD volatility, US macroeconomic news had a considerably larger impact.
Air Shower Simulation with a New Generation of post-LHC Hadronic Interaction Models in CORSIKA

The interpretation of EAS measurements strongly depends on detailed air shower simulations. CORSIKA is one of the most commonly used air shower Monte Carlo programs. The main source of uncertainty in the prediction of shower observables for different primary particles and energies is currently dominated by differences between hadronic interaction models even after recent updates taking into account the first LHC data. As a matter of fact the model predictions converged but at the same time more precise air shower and LHC measurements introduced new constraints. This year a new generation of hadronic interaction models isreleased in CORSIKA. Sibyll 2.3c and DPMJETIII.17-1 will be available in 2017 with improved description of particle production and in particular the production of charmed particles. The impact of these hadronic interaction models on air shower predictions are presented here and compared to the first generation of post-LHC models, EPOS LHC and QGSJETII-04. The performance of the new models on standard air shower observables is derived. Due to the various approaches in the physics treatment, there are still large differences in the model predictions but this can already be partially resolved by the comparison with the latest LHC data.
In vitro study of the antioxidant properties of nimesulide and 4-OH nimesulide: effects on HRP- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence produced by human chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVES Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases and constitute an interesting therapeutic target for drugs. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of nimesulide (NIM), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug of the sulfonanilide class, and its main metabolite 4-OH nimesulide (4-OHNIM). METHODS The scavenging effects of NIM and 4-OH NIM on hydroxyl radical ((.)OH) and superoxide anions (O(minusd)(2)) were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR), using 5, 5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as the spin trap agent. The quenching properties of these drugs on hypochlorite anion was studied by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence. Finally, the effects of NIM and 4-OHNIM on the reactive oxygen species production by human articular chondrocytes were recorded by HRP and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. RESULTS By this method it has been demonstrated that NIM and 4-OHNIM, at concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 microM, are potent scavengers of(.)OH whereas only 4-OHNIM was capable to scavenge O(minusd)(2). Chemiluminescence generated by HOCl was also significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by both NIM and 4-OHNIM. Nevertheless, at each concentration tested, the inhibitory effect of 4-OHNIM was significantly more marked, even at the highest concentration (100 microM). Furthermore, when chondrocytes were pre-incubated for 48-96 h with NIM or 4-OHNIM, the luminol- and HRP-dependent CL produced by the cells was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS NIM and 4-OHNIM may protect cartilage against oxidative stress, not only by scavenging ROS but also by inhibiting their production by chondrocytes.
PENGARUH DANA PIHAK KETIGA DAN JUMLAH PENYALURAN KREDIT TERHADAP LABA

Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk memperoleh temuan eksplanatif atau penjelasan yang teruji tentang pengaruh: (1) Dana Pihak Ketiga dan Jumlah Penyaluran kredit terhadap Laba, (2) Dana Pihak Ketiga terhadap Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit, (3) Dana Pihak Ketiga terhadap Laba, dan (4) Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit terhadap Laba pada PT BPR Bali Dananiaga Denpasar 2012-2014. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif kausal. Subjek penelitian adalah PT BPR Bali Dananiaga Denpasar, dan objek penelitian adalah dana pihak ketiga, jumlah penyaluran kredit, dan laba. Data dikumpulkan dengan teknik pencatatan dokumen, dan dianalisis dengan analisis jalur. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (1) Ada pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan dari Dana Pihak Ketiga dan Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit terhadap Laba dengan sumbangan pengaruh sebesar 67,10%, (2) Ada pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan dari Dana Pihak Ketiga terhadap Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit dengan sumbangan pengaruh sebesar 69,40%, (3) Ada pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan dari Dana Pihak Ketiga terhadap Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit dengan sumbangan pengaruh sebesar 34,10%, dan (4) Ada pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan dari Jumlah Penyaluran Kredit terhadap Laba dengan sumbangan pengaruh sebesar 78%. Kata Kunci : dana pihak ketiga, jumlah penyaluran kredit dan laba This research is aimed to find the tested explanative finding of the impact of (1) loan fund and credit distribution on the profit, (2) loan on the credit distribution, (3) loan fund on the profit, and (4) credit distribution on the profit in the Rural Banks Bali Dananiaga Denpasar in period 2012-2014. The study was designed to be a casual quantitative. The subject in the Rural Banks Bali Dananiag Denpasar, and the object this was study loan fund, credit distribution, and profit. The data collected by documentation technique, and it’s analyzed by path analysis . The results of this study indicate that (1) there was significant effect of the loan fund and credit distribution on the profit with a donation effect of 67,10%, (2) there was significant positive effect of the loan fund on the credit distribution with a donation effect of 69,40%, (3) there was positive effect of the loan fund on the profit with a donation effect of 34,10%, and (4) there was significant positive effect of the credit distribution on the profit with a donation effect of 78%. keyword : loan fund, credit distribution and profit
CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

For legislators, the digital age creates two major changes. On one hand, they can now connect directly with their voters without mediators such as TV or newspapers, but on the other hand, their actions become increasi ngly transparent. Are legislators adjusting to the new era? What does the public think? Most importantly, does the transparency that the digital era facilitates affect the accountability of legislators? Using questionnaires, we asked both Israeli voters an d legislators about their perceptions regarding channels of communication and accountability. We found that the voters had low expectations of the legislators' accountability, but they did believe that they could use elections to reward or punish legislato rs. Furthermore, the voters used fewer traditional channels of communication to learn about the legislators’ activities, preferring the digital channels. In contrast, the legislators regarded themselves as very accountable but considered their colleagues t o be less so. In addition, while some legislators make use of digital channels of communication, many still cling to the more traditional formats.
Aspects regarding wine production and wine sector competitiveness in Romania.

The paper aimed to make some assumptions regarding wine sector competitiveness in Romania. Vineyards have an important share in Romanian agriculture, Romania being ranked on 11th position in the world and on 5th position in the European Union in terms of vineyards surface, while the wine industry is an important contributor to the GDP. The research method was based on analyze of wine sector evolution in the last years. The paper presents current global context of wine market at international level and focus on Romanian wine production sector and wine trade, seen in the light of competitiveness. The competitiveness of Romanian wine sector need to be related with measures that are able to increase the attractiveness of Romanian wines, both on domestic and external markets.