Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collateral Artery Growth (Arteriogenesis) After Experimental Arterial Occlusion Is Impaired in Mice Lacking CC-Chemokine Receptor-2

Abstract— Arteriogenesis has been associated with the presence of monocytes/macrophages within the collateral vessel wall. Induced macrophage migration in vivo is driven by the binding of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, or CCL2 in the new nomenclature) to the CCR2-chemokine receptor on macrophages. To determine whether the CCL2-CCR2 signaling pathway is involved in the accumulation of macrophages in growing collateral vessels, we used mice that are deficient in CCR2 in a model of experimental arterial occlusion and collateral vessel growth. In an in vitro CCL2-driven chemotaxis assay, mononuclear cells isolated from wild-type BALB/c mice exhibited CCL2 concentration–dependent migration, whereas this migration was abolished in cells from CCR2−/− mice on a BALB/c genetic background. In vivo, blood flow recovery as measured by laser Doppler (LDI) and MRI (MRI) was impaired in CCR2−/− mice on either the BALB/c or C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds. Three weeks after femoral artery ligation, LDI perfusion ratio of operated versus nonoperated distal hindlimb in BALB/c wild-type mice increased to 0.45±0.06 and in CCR2−/− animals only to 0.21±0.03 (P <0.01). In C57BL/6 mice, ratio increased to 0.96±0.09 and 0.85±0.08 (P <0.05), respectively. MRI at 3 weeks (0.76±0.06 versus 0.62±0.01; P <0.05) and hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurements confirmed these findings. Active foot movement score significantly decreased and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy was significantly greater in CCR2−/− mice. Morphometric analysis showed a lesser increase in collateral vessel diameters in CCR2−/− mice. Importantly, the number of invaded monocytes/macrophages in the perivascular space of collateral arteries of CCR2−/− animals was dramatically reduced in comparison to wild-type mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the CCR2 signaling pathway is essential for efficient collateral artery growth.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Stationary-Phase Sigma Factor (Sigma-H) Regulon of Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Sigma-H is an alternative RNA polymerase sigma factor that directs the transcription of many genes that function at the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase in Bacillus subtilis. Twenty-three promoters, which drive transcription of 33 genes, are known to be recognized by sigma-H-containing RNA polymerase. To identify additional genes under the control of sigma-H on a genome-wide basis, we carried out transcriptional profiling experiments using a DNA microarray containing >99% of the annotated B. subtilis open reading frames. In addition, we used a bioinformatics-based approach aimed at the identification of promoters recognized by RNA polymerase containing sigma-H. This combination of approaches was successful in confirming most of the previously described sigma-H-controlled genes. In addition, we identified 26 putative promoters that drive expression of 54 genes not previously known to be under the direct control of sigma-H. Based on the known or inferred function of most of these genes, we conclude that, in addition to its previously known roles in sporulation and competence, sigma-H controls genes involved in many physiological processes associated with the transition to stationary phase, including cytochrome biogenesis, generation of potential nutrient sources, transport, and cell wall metabolism.
Multiple association in ultra-dense networks

The cell association is of a paramount effect on the operation of cellular network. In Ultra-Dense Networks (UDN), different types of small cells are deployed with extremely large densities. This comes with a great advantage of dense reuse of spectrum. In this paper, we investigate the downlink association of a given user equipment (UE) to multiple small cells, which we termed multiple association. In multiple association, a user connects to M ≥ 1 small cells forming what we call MultiCell. Consequently, this overcomes the backhaul limitation of individual cells. Specifically, we derive the idle mode probability in the proposed setting, and based on that we derive an analytical expression for the average ergodic downlink rate of the link between the typical user and its jth nearest cell. Additionally, we exploit the aforementioned findings to study the area spectral efficiency in multiple association, and to investigate its relation to the main system parameters, namely: small cells density, users density, and MultiCell size M. We simulate the proposed model to assess the accuracy of the analytical results. Our results provide a mathematical framework, and pave the way to consider the association of a user to multiple small cells.
The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Third Edition (WPPSI-III)

Provides: • An overall estimate of general intellectual functioning (FSIQ), as well as separate indices of verbal ability (VIQ) and nonverbal reasoning and problem solving (PIQ). Additional indices can be calculated by administering additional subtests in order to obtain an estimate of processing speed (PSQ) and a general language composite (GLQ). The test now includes two levels, representing formats for children ages 2-06 to 3-11, and another for ages 4-00 to 7-03.
Descriptive Complexity Approaches To Inductive Inference MS-CIS-91-08

We present a critical review of descriptive complexity approaches to inductive inference. Inductive inference is denned as any process by which a model of the world is formed from observations. The descriptive complexity approach is a formalization of Occam's razor: choose the simplest model consistent with the data. Descriptive complexity as defined by Kolmogorov, Chaitin and Solomonoff is presented as a generalization of Shannon's entropy. We discuss its relationship with randomness and present examples. However, a major result of the theory is negative: descriptive complexity is uncomputable. Rissanen's minimum description length (MDL) principle is presented as a restricted form of the descriptive complexity which avoids the uncomputability problem. We demonstrate the effectiveness of MDL through its application to AR processes. Lastly, we present and discuss LeClerc's application of MDL to the problem of image segmentation. •Acknowledgement: Navy Contract N0014-88-K-0630; AFOSR Grants 88-0244, 88-0296; Army/DAAL 03-89-C-0031PRI; NSF Grants CISE/CDA 88-22719, IRI 89-06770; the Dupont Corporation and Air Force LGFP SSAN 167 46 7002
The Virtual Microscope

We present the design of the Virtual Microscope, a software system employing a client/server architecture to provide a realistic emulation of a high power light microscope. We discuss several technical challenges related to providing the performance necessary to achieve rapid response time, mainly in dealing with the enormous amounts of data (tens to hundreds of gigabytes per slide) that must be retrieved from secondary storage and processed. To effectively implement the data server, the system design relies on the computational power and high I/O throughput available from an appropriately configured parallel computer.
When Does Scale Anchoring Work? A Case Study.

Providing information to test takers and test score users about the abilities of test takers at different score levels has been a persistent problem in educational and psychological measurement. Scale anchoring, a technique which describes what students at different points on a score scale know and can do, is a tool to provide such information. Scale anchoring for a test involves a substantial amount of work, both by the statistical analysts and test developers involved with the test. In addition, scale anchoring involves considerable use of subjective judgment, so its conclusions may be questionable. We describe statistical procedures that can be used to determine if scale anchoring is likely to be successful for a test. If these procedures indicate that scale anchoring is unlikely to be successful, then there is little reason to perform a detailed scale anchoring study. The procedures are applied to several data sets from a teachers’ licensing test.
Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of reduced tardive dyskinesia with second-generation antipsychotics

Background Second-generation antipsychotics may have few advantages over older, cheaper drugs, except for possibly reduced risk of tardive dyskinesia. Aims To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotics with regard to reducing tardive dyskinesia. Method Literature was reviewed on risk of tardive dyskinesia with second-generation antipsychotics; on severity duration and impairment of tardive dyskinesia; and on the relationship of this disorder to quality of life and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Diverse cost and benefit assumptions and of 1-year and 5-year planning horizons were examined in a deterministic sensitivity analysis. Results Estimating 0.143 QALYs lost per case of severe tardive dyskinesia, 1-year cost-effectiveness estimates for second-generation antipsychotics ranged from $185 000 ($370 000) to $850 000 ($1.7 million) per QALY, and 5-year cumulative estimates ranged from $74 000 ($ 149 000) to $342 000 ($683 000) per QALY, all above the conventional policy threshold of $25 000 ($50 000). Conclusions Reduction of tardive dyskinesia with second-generation antipsychotics appears unlikely to meet standards for cost-effectiveness.
HATARI: raising risk awareness

As a software system evolves, programmers make changes which sometimes lead to problems. The risk of later problems significantly depends on the location of the change. Which are the locations where changes impose the greatest risk? Our HATARI prototype relates a version history (such as CVS) to a bug database (such as BUGZILLA) to detect those locations where changes have been risky in the past. HATARI makes this risk visible for developers by annotating source code with color bars. Furthermore, HATARI provides views to browse through the most risky locations and to analyze the risk history of a particular location.
Institute of Physics Publishing Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering Carving Fiber-top Optomechanical Transducers from an Optical Fiber

In a recent paper (Iannuzzi et al 2006 Monolithic fiber-top sensor for critical environments and standard applications Appl. Phys. Lett. 88 053501) we have presented the principle of the fiber-top position sensor, having a monolytical structure carved out of a single-mode optical fiber. The device alleviates sensing in a critical environment via interferometric readout, and because of its monolithic construction, facilitates plug-and-play utilization without alignment. In this paper we describe the fabrication method of a similar device which, however, was also equipped with a pyramidal tip on the top of the cantilever, an important detail for future implementation in scanning probe microscopy. A silicon surface was then periodically put in contact and moved out of contact with the device. The output signal resembles force curves that can be similarly obtained with atomic force microscopes.
Chimeric Newcastle Disease Virus Protects Chickens against Avian Influenza in the Presence of Maternally Derived NDV Immunity

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus type 1, is a promising vector for expression of heterologous proteins from a variety of unrelated viruses including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). However, pre-existing NDV antibodies may impair vector virus replication, resulting in an inefficient immune response against the foreign antigen. A chimeric NDV-based vector with functional surface glycoproteins unrelated to NDV could overcome this problem. Therefore, an NDV vector was constructed which carries the fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) proteins of avian paramyxovirus type 8 (APMV-8) instead of the corresponding NDV proteins in an NDV backbone derived from the lentogenic NDV Clone 30 and a gene expressing HPAIV H5 inserted between the F and HN genes. After successful virus rescue by reverse genetics, the resulting chNDVFHN PMV8H5 was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Expression and virion incorporation of the heterologous proteins was verified by Western blot and electron microscopy. Replication of the newly generated recombinant virus was comparable to parental NDV in embryonated chicken eggs. Immunization with chNDVFHN PMV8H5 stimulated full protection against lethal HPAIV infection in chickens without as well as with maternally derived NDV antibodies. Thus, tailored NDV vector vaccines can be provided for use in the presence or absence of routine NDV vaccination.
Dialog-Konsens-Methodik im Forschungsprogramm Subjektive Theorien

Zusammenfassung: Es wird ein Uberblick uber die dialog-hermeneutische Methodik in Form einer kommentierten Literaturliste gegeben, und zwar mit dem Ziel einer Verbindung von systematischer Strukturierung und historischer Darstellung. Das bedeutet die Einbettung der methodologischen Grundstruktur in den Rahmen des Forschungsprogramms Subjektive Theorien, die Explikation der zwei methodischen Teilschritte und die Benennung der wichtigsten objekttheoretischen Forschungsbereiche sowie der wissenschaftstheoretischen Konsequenzen und Desiderata fur die zukunftige Forschungsentwicklung.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism in Papua, Indonesia: 2001–2012 survey results

Objective Only one previous follow-up study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism in Papua, Indonesia has been carried out since a survey undertaken in 1962–1981 by Gajdusek and colleagues. Therefore, to clarify the clinical epidemiology of ALS and parkinsonism in the southern coastal region of Papua, the clinical characteristics and prevalence of the diseases in this region were examined and assessed. Methods Cases of ALS and parkinsonism were clinically examined during a 2001–2012 survey in Bade and other villages along the Ia, Edera, Dumut and Obaa rivers in Papua, Indonesia. Possible, probable and definite ALS was diagnosed clinically by certified neurologists based on El Escorial criteria. The criteria for a diagnosis of parkinsonism were the presence of at least two of the four following signs: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural impairment with a progressive course. Results During the survey, 46 cases of ALS and/or parkinsonism were diagnosed within a population range of 7000 (2001–2002) to 13 900 (2007–2012). The 46 cases consisted of 17 probable-definite cases of ALS, including three with cognitive impairment (CI), 13 cases of overlapping possible, probable or definite ALS and parkinsonism, including five with CI, and 16 cases of parkinsonism, including one with CI. The crude point prevalence rate of pure ALS was estimated to be at least 73 (95% CI 0 to 156) to 133 (27 to 240)/100 000 people and that of overlapping ALS and parkinsonism at least 53 (0 to 126) to 98 (2 to 193)/100 000 in 2007, or 2010 in some regions. Conclusions While the prevalence of ALS in Papua has decreased over the past ∼30–35 years, it remains higher than the global average. There was a high prevalence of overlapping ALS, parkinsonism and CI, which has also been previously reported in Guam and Kii.
Smokers of Menthol and Nonmenthol Cigarettes Exhibit Similar Levels of Biomarkers of Smoke Exposure

There has been speculation that the addition of menthol to cigarettes may affect the manner in which cigarettes are smoked, potentially influencing smokers' exposures to smoke constituents that have been associated with smoking-related diseases. One hundred twelve male and female smokers participated in a parallel-arm study to determine whether the ad libitum smoking of menthol cigarettes results in differences in smoke constituent exposure biomarkers in blood and urine relative to those smoking nonmenthol cigarettes having similar machine-measured (Federal Trade Commission) yields of ∼9 to 10 mg “tar. ” The study subjects were provided cigarettes of their preferred menthol or nonmenthol types prior to two 24-hour study intervals spaced one week apart. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were measured in blood samples drawn at midafternoon following the two 24-hour urine collection periods. Six urinary nicotine metabolites (nicotine, cotinine, trans-3′-hydroxycotinine and respective glucuronides) were determined as measures of nicotine intake, and urinary 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronide were determined to assess exposure to the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-1-butanone. Subjects' median blood carboxyhemoglobin values did not differ significantly between the cigarette types. Neither total urinary NNAL nor urinary nicotine equivalents exhibited statistically significant differences between the menthol and nonmenthol cigarette smokers. The present findings indicate that moderately heavy smokers of menthol and nonmenthol cigarettes of similar machine-generated smoke yield exhibit essentially identical levels of biomarkers of smoke constituent exposure. These results are consistent with the substantial majority of epidemiology studies to date that suggest the risks attending the smoking of menthol and nonmenthol cigarettes are similar. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):622–9)
Up-Regulation of CYP2C19 Expression by BuChang NaoXinTong via PXR Activation in HepG2 Cells

Background Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME), which is responsible for the biotransformation of several kinds of drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, platelet aggregation inhibitors and antidepressants. Previous studies showed that Buchang NaoXinTong capsules (NXT) increased the CYP2C19 metabolic activity in vitro and enhanced the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in vivo. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remained unclear. In the present study, we examined whether Pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays a role in NXT-mediated regulation of CYP2C19 expression. Methods We applied luciferase assays, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blotting and cell-based analysis of metabolic activity experiments to investigate the NXT regulatory effects on the CYP2C19 promoter activity, the mRNA/ protein expression and the metabolic activity. Results Our results demonstrated that NXT significantly increased the CYP2C19 promoter activity when co-transfected with PXR in HepG2 cells. Mutations in PXR responsive element abolished the NXT inductive effects on the CYP2C19 promoter transcription. Additionally, NXT incubation (150 and 250μg/mL) also markedly up-regulated endogenous CYP2C19 mRNA and protein levels in PXR-transfected HepG2 cells. Correspondingly, NXT leaded to a significant enhancement of the CYP2C19 catalytic activity in PXR-transfected HepG2 cells. Conclusion In summary, this is the first study to suggest that NXT could induce CYP2C19 expression via PXR activation.
Icing numerical simulation based on improved lagrange method

Ice accretion leads to significant deterioration of aircraft aerodynamic performance and handling qualities. In this paper, ice accretion on NACA 0012 airfoil and multi-element airfoils are predicted using CFD method. Using a multi-block grid technique, we generate computational grids for the multi-element airfoils. A four-stage Runge-Kutta method is used to solve the droplet trajectory equation, a recursive box searching method is proposed to compute the position of the droplet. The method is efficient and robust. Compared with the traditional direct method, it obtains the same result and reduces computational time by one order of magnitude. Ice shape is determinated with assumption that all droplets freeze at their points of impact and the ice grows in the direction normal to the surface. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are conducted to calculate the air flow field. A time-accurate, fully implicit LU-SGS method is used to solve the viscous flow problems. It uses a finite volume cell-centered formulation on structured grids and employs central space discretization with artificial dissipation for the residual computation, Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model was used in the numerical procedure. With the above methods and techniques, the computational results we got are in good agreement with the available experiments data, and show preliminarily that our method of icing predicted model and flow field numerical simulation is feasible.
Genetic Polymorphism of the Kinesin-Like Protein KIF1B Gene and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Frequent deletions of the kinesin-like protein gene 1B (KIF1B) have been reported in neural tumors. Recently, a genome-wide association study revealed an association between polymorphisms in the KIF1B gene and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and several case-control studies have further investigated this relationship. However, these studies have yielded controversial results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the association between the KIF1B gene polymorphisms and HCC risk. Methodology/Principal Finding PubMed, EMBASE, the ISI Web of Science and the CNKI databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. A total of 5 studies containing 13 cohorts with 5,773 cases and 6,404 controls were included. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on ethnicities, sample sizes and quality scores. Overall, the G allele at rs17401966 of the KIF1B gene was associated with a significantly decreased risk for HCC (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.70–0.93; P = 0.003). Furthermore, subgroup analyses showed that the G allele at rs17401966 of the KIF1B gene significantly reduced the risk for HCC in Chinese cohorts (OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.64–0.90; P = 0.002), large-sample-size cohorts (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.73–0.88, P<0.01) and high-quality cohorts (OR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.71–0.87, P<0.01). However, no significant associations were found in small-sample-size cohorts, studies with low-quality scores and when excluding the cohorts from the study reporting the original discovery. Conclusion/Significance These findings demonstrate that the presence of the G allele at rs17401966 of the KIF1B gene may decrease the risk for HCC and suggest that KIF1B may play a critical role in the development of HCC. High-quality studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnic populations will be of great value to further confirm these findings.
Trading-off among accuracy, similarity, diversity, and long-tail: a graph-based recommendation approach

Improving recommendation accuracy is the mostly focused target of recommendation systems, while it has been increasingly recognized that accuracy is not enough as the only quality criterion. More concepts have been proposed recently to augment the evaluation dimensions, such as similarity, diversity, long-tail, etc. Simultaneously considering multiple criteria leads to a multi-task recommendation. In this paper, a graph-based recommendation approach is proposed to effectively and flexibly trade-off among them. Our approach is considered based a 1st order Markovian graph with transition probabilities between user-item pairs. A "cost flow" concept is proposed over the graph, so that items with lower costs are stronger recommended to a user. The cost flows are formulated in a recursive dynamic form, whose stability is proved to be guaranteed by appropriately lower-bounding the transition costs. Furthermore, a mixture of transition costs is designed by combining three ingredients related to long-tail, focusing degree and similarity. To evaluate the ingredients, we propose an orthogonal-sparse-orthogonal nonnegative matrix tri-factorization model and an efficient multiplicative algorithm. Empirical experiments on real-world data show promising results of our approach, which could be regarded as a general framework for other affects if transition costs are designed in various ways.