Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease: the demise of alchemy and rise of pharmacology

Regenerative medicine holds great promise as a way of addressing the limitations of current treatments of ischaemic disease. In preclinical models, transplantation of different types of stem cells or progenitor cells results in improved recovery from ischaemia. Furthermore, experimental studies indicate that cell therapy influences a spectrum of processes, including neovascularization and cardiomyogenesis as well as inflammation, apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. Thus, distinct strategies might be required for specific regenerative needs. Nonetheless, clinical studies have so far investigated a relatively small number of options, focusing mainly on the use of bone marrow‐derived cells. Rapid clinical translation resulted in a number of small clinical trials that do not have sufficient power to address the therapeutic potential of the new approach. Moreover, full exploitation has been hindered so far by the absence of a solid theoretical framework and inadequate development plans. This article reviews the current knowledge on cell therapy and proposes a model theory for interpretation of experimental and clinical outcomes from a pharmacological perspective. Eventually, with an increased association between cell therapy and traditional pharmacotherapy, we will soon need to adopt a unified theory for understanding how the two practices additively interact for a patient's benefit.
Genetic Variation That Predicts Platinum Sensitivity Reveals the Role of miR-193b* in Chemotherapeutic Susceptibility

Platinum agents are the backbone of cancer chemotherapy. Recently, we identified and replicated the role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs1649942) in predicting platinum sensitivity both in vitro and in vivo. Using the CEU samples from the International HapMap Project, we found the same SNP to be a master regulator of multiple gene expression phenotypes, prompting us to investigate whether rs1649942-mediated regulation of miRNAs may in part contribute to variation in platinum sensitivity. To these ends, 60 unrelated HapMap CEU I/II samples were used for our discovery-phase study using high-throughput genome-wide miRNA and gene expression profiling. Examining the relationships among rs1649942, its gene expression targets, genome-wide miRNA expression, and cellular sensitivity to carboplatin and cisplatin, we identified 2 platinum-associated miRNAs (miR-193b* and miR-320) that inhibit the expression of 5 platinum-associated genes (CRIM1, IFIT2, OAS1, KCNMA1, and GRAMD1B). We further replicated the relationship between the expression of miR-193b*, CRIM1, IFIT2, KCNMA1, and GRAMD1B, and platinum sensitivity in a separate HapMap CEU III dataset. We then showed that overexpression of miR-193b* in a randomly selected HapMap cell line results in resistance to both carboplatin and cisplatin. This relationship was also found in 7 ovarian cancer cell lines from NCI60 dataset and confirmed in an OVCAR-3 that overexpression of miR-193b* leads to increased resistance to carboplatin. Our findings highlight a potential mechanism of action for a previously observed genotype-survival outcome association. Further examination of miR-193b* in platinum sensitivity in ovarian cancer is warranted. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(9); 2054–61. ©2012 AACR.
Energy-Efficient Broadcasting in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Using Directional Antennas

We consider the problem of energy efficient broadcasting in wireless ad hoc network where nodes have limited energy resources. We investigate the scope of using directional antennas for energy efficient broadcast routing in stationary networks and consider the case where wireless nodes can dynamically adjust their transmission power for each broadcast session. Minimum spanning tree (MST) has an interesting property that the longest edge in the tree is the shortest among all the spanning trees. We construct a broadcast tree using minimum spanning tree and show that use of directional antennas, with fixed orientation and fixed beamwidth, for broadcasting data over this broadcast tree strikes a balance in the energy consumption rate among nodes in the network and hence improves overall lifetime of the network.
Measuring secrecy by the probability of a successful guess

A secrecy system in which both the legitimate receiver and an eavesdropper are allowed some distortion is studied. The eavesdropper is allowed to make one guess, and the considered secrecy metric is the exponent of the probability that the guess is within an acceptable distortion level. A subsequent notion of information leakage is suggested. In the absence of any shared key between the transmitter and the legitimate receiver, a single-letter characterization of the highest achievable exponent is provided. Moreover, asymptotically-optimal universal strategies for both the primary user and the eavesdropper are demonstrated, where universality means independence of the source statistics. When a secret key is shared between the transmitter and the legitimate receiver, and a rate constraint is imposed, upper and lower bounds on the optimal exponent are given. Certain sufficient conditions for the bounds to meet are provided, and examples where they apply are discussed.
Resilient and efficient communication in many-core systems using network coding

Due to technology scaling, the number of processor cores on a chip constantly increases. Already today, we reach the domain of so called many-core systems-on-chip. However, this advance comes at the cost of reliability, which especially affects the communication performance of the underlying network-on-chip. Today's resiliency concepts for network-on-chip like automatic repeat request with retransmission are not feasible anymore and lead to long latencies and high network load. In this paper, we propose an on-chip transmission concept based on random linear network coding to provide high resiliency and an efficient communication in many-core processors at the same time. The concept offers a flexible and efficient computable coding scheme, which is well suited for on-chip communication and allows to exploit the path diversity of large networks. First, we use a flit-level cycle-accurate simulation model to investigate the performance potential of the proposed transmission scheme on a network-on-chip with 64 cores. Second, we propose an analytic model for random linear network coding in network-on-chip with retransmission, which is able to provide a very accurate performance estimation close to the cycle-accurate simulation. Finally, we apply the analytic model to investigate the performance potential on the large-scale, assuming a processor with 1024 cores.
Direct Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Power Configuration and Control in Wireless Networks

In this paper, non deterministic Direct Reinforcement Learning (RL) for controlling the transmission times and power of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) node is presented. RL allows for truly autonomous optimal behaviour of agents by requiring no models or supervision to learn. Optimal actions are learnt by repeated interactions with the environment. Performance results are presented for Monte Carlo, TD0 and TDλ. The resultant optimal learned policies are shown to out perform static power control in a stochastic environment.
Exploring Identity Dynamics from a Combined Social Exchange and Social Identity Perspective

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to explore identity dynamics of unit and department leaders in a healthcare setting using both social identity and social exchange theories. In particular, we developed a mediational moderated model in which supervisor trust indirectly influences identification with a subordinate level (i.e., the clinical unit) through its effect on identification with a superordinate level (i.e., the organization as a whole). Furthermore, we predicted and found that this relation is moderated by organizational tenure, contract breach, and the clinical-manager's role (heads of clinical units vs. chairs of departments). We tested our hypotheses with doctors of a large public hospital in northern Italy. A total of 370 doctors completed questionnaires measuring organizational and unit identification, supervisor trust, and contract breach. Results supported our hypotheses: supervisor trust was related to unit identification through its effect on organizational identification. As expected, this relation was stronger for more tenured department chairs, and for those doctors who perceived less contract breach.
The Effects of Common Names and Common FR Responses on the Emergence of Stimulus Equivalence Classes

The objective of the present set of studies was compare two procedures for facilitating the emergence of equivalence classes in college students. In Experiment 1, which used a within-group design, participants in one condition were first taught to give class-consistent names to the stimuli which would subsequently be conditionally related. In the second condition participants were first taught to emit common fixed ratio responses in the presence of stimuli which would subsequently be conditionally related. After this training, participants completed conditional discrimination training followed by equivalence testing. Results suggested that the name and FR condition were equally effective in facilitating the emergence of equivalence classes. Experiment 2, which used a between-group design, was similar to Experiment 1 except that participants were asked to “talk aloud” during conditional discrimination training and the stimulus equivalence test. Experiment 2 also employed a control group, who received no common response training. In general, the findings from both experiments suggest that names are not necessary for the formation of equivalence classes, and training common nonverbal responses may be equally effective in promoting class formation.
Spontaneous Attributions of Heavy Drinking by Men and Women Who Drink Frequently or Infrequently

This study compared spontaneous attributions of 38 frequent and 42 infrequent drinkers regarding the causes of alcohol abuse. Attributions of women involved fewer past events and more positive affect than men to explain why people drank excessively. Similar differences were found in the attributional patterns of frequent men and women drinkers. The results were discussed first in relation to previous attributional research in which a forced-choice format had been employed to infer causal ascriptions of problem drinking. The importance of differences in attributions in understanding the etiology of problem drinking in men and women was also discussed.
A Two-Step Approach for Tree-structured XPath Query Reduction

— XML data consists of a very flexible tree-structure which makes it difficult to support the storing and retrieving of XML data. The node numbering scheme is one of the most popular approaches to store XML in relational databases. Together with the node numbering storage scheme, structural joins can be used to efficiently process the hierarchical relationships in XML. However, in order to process a tree-structured XPath query containing several hierarchical relationships and conditional sentences on XML data, many structural joins need to be carried out, which results in a high query execution cost. This paper introduces mechanisms to reduce the XPath queries including branch nodes into a much more efficient form with less numbers of structural joins. A two step approach is proposed. The first step merges duplicate nodes in the tree-structured query and the second step divides the query into sub-queries, shortens the paths and then merges the sub-queries back together. The proposed approach can highly contribute to the efficient execution of XML queries. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme can reduce the query execution cost by up to an order of magnitude of the original execution cost.
Feasibility of 2 °C as a post-2020 warming threshold via input-constrained optimal control

Governments around the world have committed to urgent reductions in anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in order to limit the increase in global average temperature to less than 2 °C relative to pre-industrial levels, a warming level recognized as a key threshold for dangerous climate change. In the lead-up to a key United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Paris in late 2015, countries have begun to announce GHG emission reduction pledges for the period beyond 2020. In this paper, we investigate feasibility of 2 °C as a post-2020 warming threshold via the solution of an input-constrained optimal control problem in which the control inputs to be optimized are the emissions reduction rate, and the fraction of net economic output invested in capital. Using the DICE (Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy) integrated assessment model (IAM), we show that rapid emissions reductions are necessary to reach global net zero emissions by mid-century and so restrict warming to 2 °C. Attempts to limit warming to 2 °C by constraining either the absolute rate, or rate of growth, in emissions reductions effort in a global post-2020 mitigation scheme are achievable only with appreciable loss of economic output, with total emissions falling sharply as a consequence. The results of this paper underscore the importance of recognizing the interdependence of geophysical and economic dynamics in attempting to stay below the 2 °C warming threshold.
Electroweak phase transition in an extension of the standard model with a real Higgs singlet

The Higgs potential of the standard model with an additional real Higgs singlet is studied in order to examine if it may allow the strongly first-order electroweak phase transition. It is found that there are parameter values for which this model at the one-loop level with a finite-temperature effect may allow the desired phase transition. Those parameter values also predict that the masses of the neutral scalar Higgs bosons of the model are consistent with the present experimental bound, and that their production in e+e− collisions may be searched at the proposed ILC with in the near future.
University Teachers' Conceptions of Their Role as Developers of Technology-Rich Learning Environments

This phenomenographic study examines how a diverse group of university teachers conceptualised their role as developers of technology-rich learning environments at one university in Finland. The research findings illustrate a variety of conceptions. Five qualitatively different ways of understanding teachers’ roles regarding the development of technology-rich learning environments were found: 1) innovator, 2) early adopter, 3) adaptive, 4) sceptic and 5) late adopter. In order to connect the whole set of interconnected roles to a theory of change, Everett Rogers’ innovation diffusion theory was exploited in the last phase of analysis. Finally, hierarchically structured categories were created along with five evolutionary themes of expanding intensity. These findings can be used as an assessment tool among teachers to identify their role in educational reform.
Effect of Interictal Spikes on Single‐Cell Firing Patterns in the Hippocampus

Summary: Purpose: The interictal EEG spike(s) is the hallmark of the epileptic EEG. While focal interictal spike (IS) have been associated with transitory cognitive impairment, with the type of deficit dependent on where in the cortex the IS arises, the mechanism by which IS result in transitory dysfunction is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of IS on single‐cell firing patterns in freely moving rats with a prior history of seizures.
Impact on radiation risk estimates of possible selection effects in Japanese A-bomb survivors : Reanalysis of data on acute radiation symptoms

Estimates of radiation-induced cancer risks are based largely on the Life Span Study (LSS) of Japanese A-bomb survivors. Stewart and Kneale (2000) examined the possibility of bias in the LSS cohort by studying survivors with bomb-related acute injuries and those without such injuries. They reported significantly higher radiation risks for cancers and non-cancers among those survivors with acute multiple injuries compared with those without. The risks were particularly large among survivors aged <10 or ≥ 55 years of age at the time of bombing. This paper examines Stewart and Kneale’s findings more closely using the same LSS data on acute effects. All of the analyses have been carried out with Poisson regression methods. Models describing the trend in relative risk with dose have been fitted with adjustment for sex and time. Statistically significant differences in relative risk between survivors with epilation injury and those without have been found for leukaemia. There is also some evidence for heterogeneity in the leukaemia risk between those with two or more (multiple) injuries, those with no injuries and the remaining group of survivors (residue), but the evidence is weaker when survivors with one or more injuries are compared with those without injuries. For solid cancers, cardiovascular disease and all deaths, the relative risks do not differ significantly between survivors with multiple injuries, without injuries and the residual group. There is no significant evidence of heterogeneity in the relative risk between age-at-exposure categories for survivors with injuries. The relative risk estimates and their uncertainties are comparatively large for survivors exposed at ages <10 years, but this is not the case for survivors exposed at 55 years of age or more. The findings from the present work are inconsistent with those of Stewart and Kneale. No strong differences in radiation risks have been found between survivors with acute injuries and those without injuries.
The role of roommate relationships and family of origin functioning in students' mental health and college adjustment outcomes

For college students in the emerging adulthood developmental stage, interpersonal relationships in general, and roommate relationships specifically, affect important mental health outcomes. However, previous roommate relationship studies often have small sample sizes, do not take into account roommates' interdependence, or use outdated analyses. The current study tests an empirical conceptualization of the role of roommate relationships on college student mental health and adjustment to college by drawing upon family systems theory. Data were collected from 104 pairs of college student roommates and analyzed in an actor-partner interdependence model using structural equation modeling. Results support actor effect hypotheses that students' perceptions of dysfunction in their roommate relationships are significantly associated with their adjustment to college and with their negative emotional symptoms. However, results do not support an association between family of origin dysfunction and roommate relationship dysfunction. Likewise, partner effects and mediational hypotheses were nonsignificant. Instead, this study suggests that family of origin dysfunction and roommate relationship dysfunction have an additive effect on adjustment to college and negative emotional symptoms. This study concludes with a discussion of implications for future research, clinical applications, and Student Affairs practice.
Fractional Langevin Equation to Describe Anomalous Diffusion

A Langevin equation with a special type of additive random source is considered. This random force presents a fractional order derivative of white noise, and leads to a power-law time behavior of the mean square displacement of a particle, with the power exponent being noninteger. More general equation containing fractional time differential operators instead of usual ones is also proposed to describe anomalous diffusion processes. Such equation can be regarded as corresponding to systems with incomplete Hamiltonian chaos, and, depending on the type of the relationship between the speed and coordinate of a particle, yields either usual or fractional long-time behavior of diffusion.
The optimal timing of an ultrasound scan to assess the location and viability of an early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the optimal gestational age at which to establish the location and viability of an early pregnancy using transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). METHODS This was a prospective study of 1442 women undergoing initial TVS at no more than 84 days gestation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between gestational age and the ability to confirm viability or non-viability, in women with and without symptoms of pain and bleeding. RESULTS The commonest TVS finding prior to 35 days was a pregnancy of unknown location, from 35 to 41 days an early intrauterine pregnancy of uncertain viability and from 42 days a viable intrauterine pregnancy. Miscarriage could only be diagnosed on initial TVS after 35 days. There was no difference between the ability to make a diagnosis for women with certain or uncertain dates (P = 0.719). The chance of confirming viability increased rapidly per day of gestation until 49 days and thereafter plateaued. Of the 29 ectopic pregnancies diagnosed, 72% presented prior to 49 days gestation and all of these women presented with pain, bleeding or a previous ectopic pregnancy history. CONCLUSIONS The ability to confirm viability or non-viability is significantly related to gestational age. In asymptomatic women with no previous ectopic pregnancy TVS should be delayed until 49 days. Our data suggest that this would reduce the number of inconclusive scans, without an associated increase in morbidity from missed ectopic pregnancies.
Element Order in Metaphorical and Literal Phrases

The present study examines the role of a noun’s concreteness in determining the order of nouns within literal and metaphorical conjunction constructions. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, 45 participants were asked to recall sentences with canonic and non-canonic order. In Experiment 2, 41 participants performed a lexical decision task to the final word of a canonic or non-canonic sentence. The results show that concreteness plays an important role in recalling word order in both literal and metaphorical sentences. In addition, canonic metaphorical sentences were processed faster than were non-canonic metaphorical sentences. Our findings suggest that concreteness affects element order in conjunction constructions but that the effect of concreteness is more pronounced in metaphorical phrases. These findings are discussed in the context of the class inclusion framework (Glucksberg & Keysar, 1990).
Digital autoradiography using room temperature CCD and CMOS imaging technology

CCD (charged coupled device) and CMOS imaging technologies can be applied to thin tissue autoradiography as potential imaging alternatives to using conventional film. In this work, we compare two particular devices: a CCD operating in slow scan mode and a CMOS-based active pixel sensor, operating at near video rates. Both imaging sensors have been operated at room temperature using direct irradiation with images produced from calibrated microscales and radiolabelled tissue samples. We also compare these digital image sensor technologies with the use of conventional film. We show comparative results obtained with 14C calibrated microscales and 35S radiolabelled tissue sections. We also present the first results of 3H images produced under direct irradiation of a CCD sensor operating at room temperature. Compared to film, silicon-based imaging technologies exhibit enhanced sensitivity, dynamic range and linearity.