Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Approximation Techniques for Some Linear Ordering Problems

We describe logarithmic approximation algorithms for the NP-hard graph optimization problems of minimum linear arrangement, minimum containing interval graph, and minimum storage--time product. This improves upon the best previous approximation bounds of Even, Naor, Rao, and Schieber [J. ACM, 47 (2000), pp. 585--616] for these problems by a factor of $\Omega$(log log n). We use the lower bound provided by the volume W of a spreading metric for each of the ordering problems above (as defined by Even et al.) in order to find a solution with cost at most a logarithmic factor times W for these problems. We develop a divide-and-conquer strategy where the cost of a solution to a problem at a recursive level is $C$ plus the cost of a solution to the subproblems at this level, and where the spreading metric volume on the subproblems is less than the original volume by $\Omega$(C log n), ensuring that the resulting solution has cost O(log n) times the original spreading metric volume. We note that this is an existentially tight bound on the relationship between the spreading metric volume and the true optimal values for these problems. For planar graphs, we combine a structural theorem of Klein, Plotkin, and Rao [Proceedings of the 25th ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, 1993, pp. 682--690] with our new recursion technique to show that the spreading metric cost volumes are within an O(log log n) factor of the cost of an optimal solution for the minimum linear arrangement, and the minimum containing interval graph problems.
Lens changes in the rabbit from fractionated X-ray and proton irradiations.

Abstract Opacification of the rabbit lens was studied as a function of dose and time post irradiation for single and fractionated doses of 1 MeV X-rays, 20 and 100 MeV protons. The degree of opacification was found to be a function of time, radiation dose, LET and mode of dose deliverance. Fractionation reduced the final degree of lens opacification by a factor of 2 or less, depending upon the dose and type of radiation.
Transaminase activity in human blood.

Enzymatic transamination consists of the enzyme catalyzed reversible transfer of the alpha amino nitrogen of an amino acid to an alpha-keto acid with the synthesis of a second amino acid and a second alpha-keto acid. Enzymes catalyzing different transamination reactions are found widely distributed in animal tissues and have been shown to change in activity in some tissues during disease (1-3). These observations prompted the present study to determine if transaminase activity could be demonstrated in human serum and blood cellular elements and, if so, to study any variations in activity of this enzyme in the blood of normal and diseased man.
Optimisation of percutaneous coronary intervention: indispensables for bioresorbable scaffolds

ABSTRACT Introduction: With new developments in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as the introduction of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS), percutaneous treatment of coronary artery diseases has entered a new era. Without metallic remnants, BRSs appear able to overcome several limitations of the existing metallic stents and provide a physiologic treatment of coronary artery pathology. Areas covered: BRS have different mechanical properties compared to the traditional metallic stents that should be taken into account during their implantation. Lesion selection, device sizing and satisfied pre-dilatation should be implemented prudently. Although intravascular imaging is not mandatory for the implantation of BRSs it may have a value in optimizing device deployment assess final results and reduce the risk of device related adverse events such as re-stenosis, or scaffold thrombosis. This review aims to reveal the crucial points about the methods of optimization in each steps of BRS implantation. Expert commentary: The target lesions for BRS should be selected meticulously. Pre-dilatation, post-dilatation and intra-vascular imaging techniques should be implemented appropriately to avoid undesirable events after scaffold implantation.
Who Responds to Electroconvulsive Therapy?

Background It has been reported that real ECT is more effective than simulated treatment among depressed patients with delusions and/or retardation, and that ECT is not effective among depressed patients who lack these features. Method In two randomised, double-blind studies, 143 patients with major depression were subtyped regarding psychosis, retardation and agitation. In both studies, low dosage, right unilateral ECT was ineffective compared with other forms of ECT. This report examined whether the depressive subtypes differed in clinical response to the ineffective and effective forms of ECT. Results The therapeutic advantage of effective forms of ECT was similar across the depression subtypes. Patients who lacked both psychosis and retardation showed this pattern. Conclusions The findings cast doubt on the utility of these depression subtypes in predicting ECT response. ECT is a viable treatment option for patients with major depression regardless of the presence or absence of psychosis, retardation and/or agitation.
Caracterização das comunidades de nematóides em mata nativa e áreas contíguas submetidas a diferentes tipos de uso agrícola em Piracicaba (SP)

Characterization of nematode communities in neighbouring areas of native vegetation and of different land use systems in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil The taxonomic structure, trophic structure and maturity index of nematode communities occurring in neighbouring areas of native forest and four different agroecosystems were studied in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. Agroecosystems were three perennial (banana, citrus and peach orchards) and one annual (corn, rotating with leguminous plants or followed by fallow) crops. Three soil samples (one liter approximately) were collected per area at two different times (August/2004 and March/2005) and depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm). Nematodes were extracted from 500 cc of soil by a sieving and sugar flotation technique, fixed with formalin, counted and infiltrated with glycerin. Subsequently, 150 specimens randomly picked were identified to the genus level. A total number of 61 genera affiliated to 32 families was recorded. Total abundance was higher at lower depth irrespective of the sampling time. At depth 0-15 cm, higher values of genus number and genus richness were calculated for the forest in both sampling times; at 15-30 cm, the highest values were assigned to annual crop and citrus areas, respectively. ShannonWeaver and Simpson indexes were less efficient than genus number and genus richness in discriminating the studied ecosystems. Plant-parasitic nematodes prevailed as a trophic group in all systems at both sampling times and depths, the bacterivorous usually ranking second position. However, the data of relative abundance of phytonematodes did not allow annual and perennial crop areas to be statistically differentiated. The studied systems also were not clearly distinguished with basis on the T values, but according to the MI, mMI and PPI data the forest and the citrus orchard were the less disturbed areas. Herbivory was the predominant decomposition channel in all systems, with exception of the citrus orchard. In terms of microbial decomposition (FF/BF), the process was usually dominated by bacteria.
DNA hypermethylation of the alpha synuclein promoter in patients with alcoholism

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the DNA methylation pattern within the alpha synuclein promoter region is altered in intoxicated and early abstinence patients with alcoholism undergoing alcohol withdrawal. We observed a significant increase of the alpha synuclein promoter DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism which was significantly associated with their elevated homocysteine levels. No significant differences of the promoter DNA methylation within a control gene (presenilin-1) in alcoholics and controls were found. The present results hint to a gene specific DNA promoter hypermethylation within the alpha synuclein gene. Since hypermethylation of DNA is an important epigenetic factor in the down regulation of gene expression and since alpha synuclein has been linked to craving these findings may explain the reduced value of craving under alcohol drinking conditions.
Differential effects of food availability and nest predation risk on avian reproductive strategies

Spatial and temporal variation in resource abundance and predation risk can favor the evolution of phenotypic plasticity as a means of tracking changing environments. However, because food abundance and predation risk often covary in nature, few studies have separated their effects or tested whether different phenotypic traits respond to the same sources of environmental variation. We investigated patterns of parental investment and behavior over a 7-year period in 2 island populations of orange-crowned warblers (Oreothlypis celata) that showed little genetic divergence but experienced dramatic temporal variation in rainfall and spatial variation in nest predation risk. The amount of rainfall in each year was correlated with food abundance, and birds on both islands initiated breeding earlier and laid larger clutches in wetter years. In contrast, the rate at which parents visited their nests was not affected by rainfall but was negatively correlated with nest predation risk both within and between islands. Our results suggest that although the effects of food availability and nest predation have been viewed as mutually exclusive drivers of entire suites of life-history and behavioral traits, these traits can differ in their sensitivity to resource abundance or mortality risk, and traits that are often correlated can be decoupled under appropriate environmental conditions.
Inadequate Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure in Dialysis Patients

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is highly prevalent in patients on renal replacement therapy and is a leading cause of death in such patients. Several studies suggest that therapeutic agents for the treatment of CHF, particularly angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta‐blockers, are underused in end‐stage renal disease patients with CHF. Although limited data are available, growing evidence suggests that therapeutic agents for CHF improve survival and are safe to use, assuming close monitoring of adverse events. The reluctance of physicians in prescribing these therapeutic agents and the reasons underlying the inconsistent use of these agents in the dialysis population need to be addressed.
Teachers' source evaluation self-efficacy predicts their use of relevant source features when evaluating the trustworthiness of web sources on special education

Building on prior research and theory concerning source evaluation and the role of self-efficacy in the context of online learning, this study investigated the relationship between teachers' beliefs about their capability to evaluate the trustworthiness of sources and their reliance on relevant source features when judging the trustworthiness of websites concerning special education. We constructed the Source Evaluation Self-Efficacy Scale ( SESES) and used the scores of 263 teachers on this measure to predict their reliance on source features related to the product and the producer of websites when evaluating their trustworthiness. Results showed that even after variance related to gender, age, domain knowledge and frequency of searching the Internet for special education information had been accounted for, teachers' source evaluation self-efficacy beliefs uniquely predicted their self-reported use of information about websites' products and producers when judging their trustworthiness. Thus, this research applies self-efficacy theory and research to a new area and contributes to the burgeoning literature on source evaluation within both reading and information literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Autoimmune Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Young Patients: An Exploratory Study

Objectives P0 protein is expressed exclusively in myelinating Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. In a previous study from our laboratory, 27% of patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) had antibodies to P0 protein in their serum. The purpose of the present exploratory study was to examine the relationship between the clinical presentation of SNHL among children and young adults (age range, 5–30 y) and the presence of serum anti‐P0 antibodies.
Usefulness of Highly Sensitive AFP-L3 and DCP in Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with a Normal Alpha-Fetoprotein

Background and aims: Early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is crucial for effective management. Incidence of HCC has increased in the United States largely attributed to hepatitis B and C virus. Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP-L3) and Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin (DCP) are being recognized specific biomarkers for HCC. Methods: We measured AFP-L3 and DCP in serial serum specimens of a cohort of chronic hepatitis patients on HCC surveillance and compared these markers to abdominal imaging. Among fifty patients who developed HCC during surveillance, 30 were included in the study with available sera 1-2 years before, at diagnosis and post ablation of HCC. For controls, three consecutive annual sera were examined from 106 chronic hepatitis patients without HCC during surveillance for 5-10 years. The μTASWako i30 auto analyzer was used for the assay that utilizes the microfluidics chip based assay platform. It can fractionate AFP-L3 glycoform and calculates AFP-L3% if AFP level is ≥ 0.6 ng/mL. Results: Combination of AFP, AFP-L3 and DCP showed high sensitivity of 83% in all patients and 75% in patients with AFP<20 ng/mL. AFP-L3 and DCP assays were useful in patients with low levels of AFP (<20 ng/mL) and could detect significant AFP-L3% elevation in some patients more than one year before the diagnosis of HCC. Furthermore, AFP-L3 predicted recurrence of HCC. Conclusions: This is the first study in the U.S. patients using the μTASWako i30 analyzer to test these HCC biomarkers. Our results suggest that combinations of these biomarkers are highly useful for early detection of HCC.
High-load injuries in the adolescent athlete's hip; clinical and experimental studies and outcome measures

The diagnosis and treatment of hip and groin symptoms has often been a problem area in orthopaedics and sports medicine. Hip and groin pain and injuries are common among athletes and in the increasingly active population. In recent years, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has emerged as one of the most common causes of hip and groin disability in this group and it is a known risk factor in the development of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Technical advancement and improved instruments have made surgical hip arthroscopy the mainstay treatment option in patients with debilitating FAI and the indications for hip arthroscopy are increasing. The aetiology of FAI is not known. Several theories have been proposed. One of them is that a growth disturbance in the proximal femur, caused by heavy loads during skeletal maturation, is a factor in FAI development. FAI has been seen to be more common in athletes in certain sports, leading to pain, reduced range of motion (ROM) and performance. Despite the increase in the number of hip arthroscopies that are performed, outcome measurements for the young and middle-aged, active patient with hip and groin pain have been lacking. Other instruments developed for older patients with osteoarthritis of the hip have been used, but their psychometric properties in this patient group are deficient. In a clinical study, the morphological characteristics and ROM of the hips were compared in a group of athletes and a group of non-athletes. No difference in hip morphology was found between the groups, but the athletes had significantly lower ROM and osteoarthritis was more common among the athletes. The strength of the porcine proximal femoral physis was investigated in two biomechanical studies. The physeal plate was found to be the weakest point in the proximal femur. Injuries were seen after repeated physiological loading in and around the physeal plate both on MRI and histologically. Two patient-reported outcome measurements (HRPROMs) developed for these patient groups were found, the iHOT12 and HAGOS. Using standardised methods, the HR-PROMs were translated and adapted to Swedish and the Swedish versions were tested in a clinical study to measure their psychometric properties. Morphological changes of FAI increase the risk of OA development. Injuries created in and around the physeal plate in the proximal femur during physiological loads can lead to morphological changes and FAI. The Swedish versions of the iHOT12 and HAGOS have good psychometric properties and can be used clinically and for research.
Divergence Insufficiency: Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

ABSTRACT Although the entity of divergence insufficiency was described as early as 1886 by Duane, it has received relatively little attention in the literature. Patients presenting with a greater eso deviation at distance than at near, a comitant deviation, and diplopia pose a challenging and critical diagnostic and therapeutic puzzle for the clinician. Divergence insufficiency, a benign condition, must be differentiated from divergence paralysis and sixth nerve palsy, two conditions that present with somewhat similar findings yet have underlying etiologies of a serious nature. This paper reviews the literature and clarifies the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of divergence insufficiency and related conditions.
A method for people counting using feature fusion based on SVR with PSO optimization

For low density crowd, the statistical information of pixels and feature points can reflect the change of crowd density. Therefore, pixels and corners are fused in this paper, then, SVR is used to learn the corresponding relationship between feature and the number of people. While PSO is used to optimize the choice of parameters C and gamma in SVR. The experimental results show that the SVR optimized by PSO has better prediction accuracy.
Residual speech recognition and cochlear implant performance: effects of implantation criteria.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the effects of preoperative speech reception on postoperative speech recognition with a cochlear implant and to develop a statistical index allowing prediction of postoperative speech recognition before implantation. STUDY DESIGN The study design was a retrospective case review with statistical modeling. SETTING The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center with an associated Veteran's Administration hospital. PATIENTS Postlingually deafened adults with and without residual speech reception participated. INTERVENTION Cochlear implantation with Cochlear Corporation CI-22 and CI-24 devices was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Monosyllabic word recognition was measured. RESULTS Duration of deafness and preoperative sentence recognition are both significant predictors of word recognition with a cochlear implant and can account for 80% of the variance in word recognition. CONCLUSIONS Cochlear implant outcomes are variable but predictable within specific ranges.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐δ up‐regulates L‐type Ca2+ currents and increases vascular contractility in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Vasculopathies represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes. Vascular malfunctioning in diabetes is associated with abnormal vasoconstriction and Ca2+ handling by smooth muscle cells (SMC). Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinases (PI3K) are key mediators of insulin action and have been shown to modulate the function of voltage‐dependent L‐type Ca2+ channels (CaV1.2). In the present work, we investigated the involvement of PI3K signalling in regulating Ca2+ current through CaV1.2 (ICa,L) and vascular dysfunction in a mouse model of type I diabetes.
Beta-adrenergic blockade enhances coronary 2 vasoconstrictor response to forehead cooling 3 4

25 Forehead cooling activates the sympathetic nervous system and can trigger 26 angina pectoris in susceptible individuals. However, the effect of forehead cooling on 27 coronary blood flow velocity (CBV) is not well understood. In this human experiment, we 28 tested the hypotheses 1) that forehead cooling reduces CBV (i.e., coronary 29 vasoconstriction); and 2) this vasoconstrictor effect would be enhanced under systemic 30 beta-adrenergic blockade. A total of 30 healthy subjects (age range 23-79 years) 31 underwent Doppler echocardiography evaluation of CBV in response to 60 seconds of 32 forehead cooling (1°C ice bag on forehead). A subset of subjects (n = 10) also underwent 33 the procedures following an intravenous infusion of propranolol. Rate pressure product 34 (RPP) was used as an index of myocardial oxygen demand. Consistent with our first 35 hypothesis, forehead cooling reduced CBV from 19.5 ± 0.7 to 17.5 ± 0.8 cm/sec (P < 36 0.001) while MAP increased by 11 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.001). Consistent with our second 37 hypothesis, forehead cooling reduced CBV under propranolol despite a significant rise in 38 RPP. The current studies indicate that forehead cooling elicits a sympathetically-mediated 39 pressor response and a reduction in CBV and this effect is augmented under beta40 blockade. The results are consistent with sympathetic activation of beta-receptor coronary 41 vasodilation in humans, as has been demonstrated in animals. 42
Mental Models at Work

This research investigated the reciprocal relationship between mental models of conflict and various forms of dysfunctional social relations in organizations, including experiences of task and relationship conflicts, interpersonal hostility, workplace ostracism, and abusive supervision. We conceptualize individual differences in conflict construals as reflecting variation in people’s belief structures about conflict and explore how different elements in people’s associative networks—in particular, their beliefs about their best and worst strategy in conflict—relate to their personality, shape their experiences of workplace conflict, and influence others’ behavioral intentions toward them. Five studies using a variety of methods (including cross-sectional surveys, a 12-week longitudinal diary study, and an experiment) show that the best strategy beliefs relate in theoretically meaningful ways to individuals’ personality, shape social interactions and relationships significantly more than the worst strategy beliefs, and are updated over time as a result of individuals’ ongoing experiences of conflict.