Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial Penalties: Structure preserved by convex relaxations

In this paper, we study convex relaxations of combinatorial penalty functions. Specifically, we consider models penalized by the sum of an $\ell_p$-norm and a set function defined over the support of the unknown parameter vector, which encodes prior knowledge on supports. We consider both homogeneous and non-homogeneous convex relaxations, and highlight the difference in the tightness of each relaxation through the notion of the lower combinatorial envelope of a set-function. We characterize necessary conditions under which the support of the unknown parameter vector can be correctly identified. We then propose a general adaptive estimator for convex monotone regularizers based on majorization-minimization, and identify sufficient conditions for support recovery in the asymptotic setting.
Solitary erythema migrans in children: comparison of treatment with azithromycin and phenoxymethylpenicillin.

OBJECTIVE To compare clinical effectiveness and side effects of treatment with azithromycin or phenoxymethylpenicillin in children with solitary erythema migrans. METHODS Consecutive patients younger than 15 years, referred to our institution in 1998 and 1999 with previously untreated typical solitary erythema migrans, were included in this prospective study. Basic demographic features and clinical data were collected by means of a questionnaire. The efficiency of treatment of acute disease, development of later major and/or minor manifestations of Lyme borreliosis and side effects of treatment were surveyed by follow-up visits during the first year. RESULTS Forty-two patients received azithromycin 20 mg/kg/day for the first day followed by 10 mg/kg/day for a further four days and phenoxymethylpenicillin 100,000 IU/kg/day for 14 days. No differences in demographic and clinical pre-treatment characteristics were present in the two groups, with the exception of the duration of erythema migrans before treatment (3 days in the azithromycin group versus 4 days in the phenoxymethylpenicillin group; p = 0.0320). The clinical course during the post-treatment period revealed no significant differences between the two groups in the duration of EM (3 days versus 4 days; p = 0.2471), the appearance of minor manifestations of Lyme borreliosis (17.5% in the azithromycin group versus 24.4% in the phenoxymethyl-penicillin group; p = 0.6252), or in the emergence of major manifestations of Lyme borreliosis (one patient in each treatment group). One year after antibiotic treatment all patients were asymptomatic. Side effects of treatment were observed in 5.3% of patients treated with azithromycin and in 6% treated with phenoxymethylpenicillin. The appearance of "Herxheimer's reaction" at the beginning of treatment was recorded in 7 out of 42 patients (6%) in each treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin and phenoxymethylpenicillin are equally effective in treatment of children with solitary erythema migrans and have comparable side effects.
Do subordinate species punch above their weight? Evidence from above- and below-ground.

Variation in the relative abundance of species is a ubiquitous feature of ecological communities. Understanding the link between the relative abundance of a species and its contribution to ecosystem function is key to predicting ecosystem stability over time or during perturbations. According to the ‘mass ratio hypothesis’ (Grime, 1998), proportional inputs to primary production act as immediate controls on ecosystem function and sustainability.While dominant species are consideredmore important in ecosystems because of the large amount of biomass they produce, an increasing number of recent studies have shown that subordinate species may have a larger influence on ecosystem functioning than their relative abundance suggests. In particular, subordinate species can have significant impacts on soil microbial communities (Peltzer et al., 2009; Holdaway et al., 2011; Mariotte et al., 2013d). Growing recognition of how belowground processes affect biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services (De Vries et al., 2013; Grigulis et al., 2013; Van der Putten et al., 2013) likely explains the recent interest in less abundant species. Nevertheless, studies of subordinate species remain scarce, largely because of the influence of the ‘mass ratio hypothesis’, which likely overestimates the role of dominant species, as well as a lack of adequate understanding of the distinguishing features of subordinate species. In addition to differences in relative abundance, other characteristics may differ between dominant and subordinate species including functional groups, traits, resource acquisition strategies, and spatial growth. While these differences remain poorly understood, their implications could be far reaching if subordinate species are capable of buffering ecosystem functions against perturbations, and under climate change. This paper aims to reconcile theories about subordinate species in order to provide a framework for future studies of biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning. I synthesize the current state of knowledge about subordinate species and give a clear definition for these species, I provide evidence of their functional role in ecosystems, and I show how the importance of this group may increase with global climate change; a topic which has not been addressed in the literature. I address each of these issues by including an aboveand below-ground perspective, which is often missing from studies of functional diversity. While evidence is drawn mainly from experiments in grassland communities, the basic principles can be applied more widely. Reconciling theories of subordinate species
Cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of myelin basic proteins reveals heterogeneity among oligodendrocytes

Myelin basic proteins (MBPs) are major proteins of central nervous system (CNS) myelin, where they facilitate the apposition of cytoplasmic faces of myelin lamellae. Myelin‐bearing oligodendrocytes transport MBP mRNA to myelin, where newly translated protein is directly inserted into the myelin sheath. An apparent absence of MBPs in oligodendrocyte perikarya has suggested that MBP localized to the soma is translationally inert. We now demonstrate by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy that not only are MBPs present in the majority of oligodendrocyte perikarya but oligodendrocytes are heterogeneous with respect to their localization of MBPs; MBPs are concentrated in some cells at the plasmalemma and distributed in others throughout the cytoplasm and, surprisingly, the nucleus. MBPs are present in the nuclei of over half of oligodendrocytes in the adult, but in almost all MBP+ oligodendrocytes during myelinogenesis. Transport of MBPs into nuclei appears to be a regulated process since some cells exhibit robust MBP accumulation in their cytoplasm but exclude MBPs from their nuclei. We show that oligodendrocyte nuclei contain all four major MBP isoforms, but that in transgenic mice, the epitope‐tagged 14 kD MBP isoform preferentially segregates to the plasmalemma. Our data demonstrate that oligodendrocytes are not required to exclude MBPs from their perikarya and suggest that MBPs have a specific function in the oligodendrocyte perikarya and nucleus. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beneficial effects of ramipril on myocardial diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, normal LV systolic function and without coronary artery disease: a prospective study using tissue Doppler

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can improve cardiovascular outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Myocardial diastolic function (Ve) is a known marker of cardiovascular prognosis. It could potentially indicate the effects of preventive therapy if evaluated by tissue Doppler. We tested the hypothesis that treatment with the ACE inhibitor ramipril has beneficial effects on Ve. In this study, 16 subjects on insulin therapy (eight receiving 10 mg ramipril/day compared to eight matched controls who were not treated with an ACE inhibitor) were followed up for a period of nine months. Myocardial and vascular function were assessed by tissue Doppler and ultrasound. In the ramipril group, Ve improved significantly after nine months of treatment (7.8±0.9 cm/s to 8.6±0.9 cm/s, p<0.04). Systolic blood pressure and intima media thickness (IMT) demonstrated a trend towards improvement. In controls, Ve remained unchanged and there was a trend towards deterioration in stiffness index beta (p<0.07). In conclusion, the observed improvement of myocardial diastolic function with ramipril in patients with T2DM is an encouraging result. It might contribute to the overall improvement that has been observed with hard cardiovascular end points.
A Prospective, Case Control Study Evaluating the Association between Clostridium Difficile Toxins in the Colon of Neonatal Swine and Gross and Microscopic Lesions

Clostridium difficile infection in swine has most often been described in suckling pigs, where it has been associated with mesocolonic edema and typhlocolitis. This prospective study was designed to assess the correlation between the presence of C. difficile toxins (TCd) in the colon contents of neonatal pigs and a number of parameters, including gross evidence of diarrhea, mesocoloninc edema, typhlitis, and colitis. C. difficile was isolated from 51% (66/129) of large intestines and TCd was detected in the colon contents of 50% (65/129) of the piglets. Fifty-eight percent (38/65) of TCd-positive piglets had normal to pelleted colon and rectal contents, whereas 75% (48/64) of TCd-negative pigs had gross evidence of diarrhea. Clostridium difficile toxin-positive animals were significantly more likely to have normal to pelleted feces. Edema of the mesocolon was observed in 38/65 (59%) of TCd-positive piglets. Because a high number of TCd-positive piglets (41%) lacked edema of the mesocolon and a high number of TCd-negative pigs had mesocolonic edema (51%), a statistically significant association between TCd and mesocolonic edema was not identified. Seventy-five percent (49/65) of TCd-positive piglets had colitis and 47/65 (72%) had typhlitis. The association between TCd and both colitis and typhlitis was statistically significant. Apparently healthy piglets were obtained from 5 separate sites. Because TCd was detected in the colon contents of 23/29 (79%) apparently healthy piglets obtained from 5 separate sites, and 70% of TCd-positive control pigs had colitis, C. difficile may represent an important subclinical issue in neonatal swine.
Modeling the effect of experience on student acceptance of Web-based courseware

As the use of Web‐based learning technologies to supplement college classroom instruction has increased, a key issue for faculty members is how to entice their students to accept these technologies. Research suggests that student experience with the technologies may influence their acceptance. The technology acceptance model was used as a framework to study the effect of student experience with Web‐based learning technologies on their acceptance of those technologies. Analysis showed that experience with the technology positively influenced perceived ease of use. Perceptions of ease of use and usefulness positively influenced attitudes towards the technology. Attitude positively influenced intention to use, and intention positively influenced usage. Results suggest that as student experience with a technology increases, they perceive it to be easier to use and more useful, and therefore, are more likely to use it. When introducing the technology, instructors should emphasize how easy the technology is to use and how useful it is in improving grades.
An odontometric study of tooth size in normal, crowded and spaced dentitions

Objective: To assess the mesio-distal tooth width in normal, crowded, or spaced dentitions. Materials and Methods: A sample of 192 maxillary and mandibular dental casts of Libyan subjects was selected from a larger cohort. These subjects did not present with craniofacial anomaly, hypodontia, significant attrition, caries, restorations, or history of permanent tooth extraction or orthodontic treatment. The sample was divided into normal, crowded, and spaced groups according to tooth size/arch length discrepancy. Each group included 32 upper and lower dental casts with equal numbers of males (mean (SD) age = 14.7 (1.9) years) and females (mean (SD) age = 15.7 (2.5) years). The mesiodistal (MD) tooth width, sum of the MD tooth widths mesial to the first molars (TTM), sum of the MD width of the four incisors (I), and the sum of the MD width of canine and first and second premolars (CPP) were calculated for each group. The independent Student t-test was applied sequentially to detect significant differences between paired groups. The ANOVA test was undertaken to explore significant differences between the three groups. Pearson coefficient of correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between I and the corresponding CPP in maxillary and mandibular arches. Results: MD tooth width, TTM, I, and CPP were significantly wider in the crowded compared to normal and spaced dentitions (P<0.001), except for the width of the upper left lateral incisors in both normal and crowded groups. Although there was a trend for smaller tooth widths in spaced dentitions compared to normal ones, this was only significant in the maxillary left central incisor, maxillary right and left lateral incisors, maxillary right first premolar, mandibular right lateral incisor, and mandibular right canine (P<0.05). However, the maxillary TTM, I, and CPP in the normal group were significantly greater than in the spaced group (P<0.05). Significant positive correlations existed between the mean values of I and CPP in both the maxillary and mandibular dentitions of all groups (P<0.01). Conclusions: It appears that in the studied Libyan population, the MD tooth width is a significant component of crowding/spacing.
High-dose cyclophosphamide for aplastic anemia and autoimmunity

High-dose cyclophosphamide was developed as a conditioning regimen for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Later, it was discovered that high-dose cyclophosphamide spares early hematopoietic stem cells because of their relatively high levels of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase; thus, high-dose cyclophosphamide is a potent immunosuppressive agent, but nonmyeloablative. Recent reports demonstrate that high-dose cyclophosphamide without bone marrow transplantation induces durable treatment-free remissions in severe aplastic anemia and a variety of other autoimmune disorders; however, there is lingering concern about the safety of this approach.
VAD techniques for real-time speech transmission on the Internet

We discuss techniques for voice activity detection (VAD) for voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VAD aids in reducing the bandwidth requirement of a voice session, thereby using bandwidth efficiently. Such a scheme would be implemented in the application layer. Thus the VAD is independent of the lower layers in the network stack (see Flood, J.E., "Telecommunications Switching - Traffic and Networks", Prentice Hall India). We compare four time-domain VAD algorithms in terms of speech quality, compression level and computational complexity. A comparison of the relative merits and demerits along with the subjective quality of speech after the pruning of silence periods is presented for all the algorithms. A quantitative measurement of speech quality for different algorithms is also presented.
Structural Characterization of TSC-36/Flik

Recombinant forms of the glycoprotein TSC-36/Flik were expressed in human cells and used to compare their structural and functional properties with those described for other members of the BM-40/SPARC/osteonectin protein family. TSC-36 was found to occur in two charge isoforms that differ in the extent of sialylation of otherwise identical N-linked, complex type oligosaccharides. Conformational analysis with both circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy showed a lack of significant structural changes upon calcium addition or depletion. This finding is in contrast to results obtained for several other BM-40 family members and indicates that the extracellular calcium-binding domain in TSC-36 is non-functional. The lack of conservation of important functional features common to several other members of the BM-40 family indicates that TSC-36, despite its sequence homology to BM-40, has evolved clearly distinct properties.
Sequences present in the cytoplasmic domain of CD4 are necessary and sufficient to confer sensitivity to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein

CD4 is an integral membrane glycoprotein which functions as the human immunodeficiency virus receptor for infection of human host cells. We have recently demonstrated that Vpu, a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-encoded integral membrane phosphoprotein, induces rapid degradation of CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum. Using an in vitro model system, we demonstrated that Vpu targets specific sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of CD4 to promote its degradation. In this report, we have further delineated regions within CD4 which are required for susceptibility to Vpu. Transfer of the CD4 cytoplasmic region into a heterologous protein, CD8, rendered the chimeric protein sensitive to Vpu-dependent degradation. In contrast, substitution of the CD8 transmembrane domain with the analogous region from CD4 did not confer sensitivity to Vpu. Finally, mutant forms of the CD4 protein containing the extracellular region alone or the extracellular and transmembrane regions linked to a heterologous cytoplasmic domain were not targeted by Vpu. Thus, sequences present in the cytoplasmic domain of CD4 are necessary and sufficient to confer sensitivity to Vpu.
The Role of the Healthcare Chaplain: A Literature Review

Healthcare chaplains operate in many healthcare sites internationally and yet their contribution is not always clearly understood by medical and healthcare staff. This review aims to explore the chaplains’ role in healthcare, with a view to informing best practice in future healthcare chaplaincy. Overall the extent of the provision and staffing of chaplaincy service internationally is unclear. From this review, several key spiritual and pastoral roles in healthcare emerge including a potential contribution to ethical decision making at the end of life. Healthcare chaplains are key personnel, already employed in many healthcare organizations, who are in a pivotal position to contribute to future developments of faith-based care, faith-sensitive pastoral, and spiritual care provision. They also have a new and evolving role in ethical support of patient, families and healthcare teams.
Serum levels and mesenteric fat tissue expression of adiponectin and leptin in patients with Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by inflammation and an aetiology that is still unknown. Hypertrophy of mesenteric fat is a reflection of disease activity, as this fat covers the entire length of the affected area. Adipocytes synthesize leptin and adiponectin, adipocytokines responsible for pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory effects. Therefore, we evaluated serum levels of adiponectin and leptin, as well as mesenteral expression of adiponectin in active CD and those in remission. Sixteen patients with ileocaecal CD followed at the Outpatient Clinic, Coloproctology Unit of University of Campinas Clinical Hospital, participated in the study. Analysis of serum adiponectin and leptin by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed in patients with active CD (ACD group), remission CD (RCD group) and in six healthy controls. Ten patients with active ileocaecal CD (FCD group) and eight patients with non‐inflammatory disease selected for surgery were also studied. The specimens were snap‐frozen and the expression of adiponectin was determined by immunoblot of protein extracts. Serum C‐reactive protein levels were higher in the ACD group when compared to the others and no difference of body mass index was observed between the groups. Serum adiponectin was lower in the ACD group when compared to control, but no differences were seen when comparing the ACD and RCD groups. Mesenteric adiponectin expression was lower in the FCD group when compared to the FC group. Serum leptin was similar in all groups. The lower levels of serum and mesenteric adiponectin in active CD suggest a defective regulation of anti‐inflammatory pathways in CD pathogenesis.
Modulation of natural killer cell functions by interactions between 2B4 and CD48 in cis and in trans

SLAM-related receptors (SRRs) are important modulators of immune cell function. While most SRRs are homophilic, 2B4 (CD244) interacts with CD48, a GPI-anchored protein expressed on many haematopoietic cells. Here we show that natural killer (NK) cell-expressed 2B4 not only binds in trans to CD48 on neighbouring cells but also interacts in cis with CD48 on the same cell. 2B4 uses the same binding site to interact with CD48 in cis and in trans and structural flexibility of 2B4 is necessary for the cis interaction. Furthermore, the cis interaction is sufficient to induce basal phosphorylation of 2B4. However, cis interaction reduces the ability of 2B4 to bind CD48 in trans. As a consequence, stimulation-dependent phosphorylation of 2B4 upon binding to CD48 positive target cells is reduced. Interfering with the cis interaction therefore enhanced the lysis of CD48-expressing tumour cells. These data show that the density of 2B4 and CD48 on both the NK cell and the potential target cell modulates NK cell activity.
Multidimensional proteomics of human serum using parallel chromatography of native constituents and microplate technology

A versatile, multidimensional, and non‐denaturing proteome separation procedure using microplate technology is presented, yielding a digitized image of proteome composition. In the first dimension, the sample under study is separated into 96 fractions by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In the second dimension, the fractions of the first dimension are transferred by the liquid‐handling device CyBi™‐Well (CyBio AG, Jena, Germany) to 96 parallel anion exchange chromatography columns. In this way the proteins are conserved in their native states and are distributed in 2400 liquid fractions with high recovery rates and sufficient reproducibility. The resulting fractions are subjected to protein quantitation and identification. Spectrophotometrical and immunological methods and enzyme activity measurements are used for quantitation. To identify proteins, the fractions are subjected to MALDI‐MS, and their tryptic digests to both MALDI‐ and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. All preparation steps except the first are applied in parallel to sets of multiples of 96 samples. The procedure may be refined by adding more separation steps and may be adapted to various protein amounts and to various proteomes. Moreover, the method offers the opportunity to investigate functional protein complexes. The method was applied to separate the normal human serum proteome. Within 255 fractions exhibiting the highest protein concentrations, 742 proteins were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS peptide sequence tags.
When do minority drug-resistant HIV-1 variants have a major clinical impact?

As our understanding of the virologic and clinical significance of drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to expand, attention is now turning to detecting and assessing the clinical impact of minority (low frequency/abundance) drug-resistant HIV-1, the variants in the viral population present below the ∼20% detection threshold of conventional bulk sequencing. The interest in studying minority resistance has been fueled by improved diagnostic technologies that allow detection of drug-resistant variants below the 1% threshold, and by the recognition that drug-resistant viral populations often exist as a complex mixture of genetic populations in which only the dominant viral sequence is detected by standard sequencing. Three common approaches are used to detect minority resistance: point mutations assays, clonal sequencing, and ultra deep se-