Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acetylcholine versus cold pressor testing for evaluation of coronary endothelial function

Background Assessment of coronary endothelial function with intracoronary acetylcholine (IC-Ach) provides diagnostic and prognostic data in patients with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), but is often not feasible due in part to the time and expertise needed for pharmacologic mixing. Cold pressor testing (CPT) is a simple and safe stimulus useful for either invasive or non-invasive endothelial function testing and myocardial perfusion imaging but has not been specifically evaluated among symptomatic women with signs of ischemic heart disease (IHD) who have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods 163 women with signs and symptoms of IHD and no obstructive CAD from the NHLBI- Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study underwent coronary reactivity testing with a Doppler flow wire (FloWire® Volcano, San Diego, CA) in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Coronary artery diameter and coronary blood flow (CBF) assessed by core lab using QCA before and after IC-Ach (18.2 μg/ml infused over 3 minutes) and during CPT. Results Mean age was 55 ± 12 years. Rate pressure product (RPP) in response to IC-Ach did not change (baseline to peak, P = 0.26), but increased during CPT (363±1457; P = 0.0028). CBF in response to CPT was poorly correlated to IC-Ach CBF. Change in coronary artery diameter after IC-Ach correlated with change after CPT (r = 0.59, P<0.001). The correlation coefficient was stronger in subjects with coronary dilation to IC-Ach (r = 0.628, P<0.001) versus those without dilation (r = 0.353, P = 0.002), suggesting that other factors may be important to this relationship when endothelium is abnormal. Conclusions In women with no obstructive CAD and suspected CMD, coronary diameter changes with IC-Ach and CPT are moderately-well correlated suggesting that CPT testing may be of some use, particularly among patients with normal endothelial function, however, not an alternative to IC-Ach for diagnosis of coronary endothelial dysfunction.
Aggregative Games with Entry 1

For aggregative games we use a cumulative reaction function approach to determine the long-run effects of an exogenous change (e.g., cost changes, cooperation, leadership) affecting some players. Even though the affected players’ equilibrium actions and payoffs, and the number of active players change, the aggregator stays the same: free entry completely undoes the short-run impact. Unaffected players’ equilibrium payoffs are unchanged, whether or not actions are strategic complements or strategic substitutes. When consumer surplus is solely a function of the aggregator, the welfare (total payoffs) change from an exogenous change are measured simply as the change in payoffs to the directly affected player(s). This case covers Logit and CES models in Bertrand differentiated products oligopoly: we show that the IIA property of demands implies that consumer surplus depends on the aggregator alone, and conversely, and that the Bertrand pricing game is aggregative. The results are applied to several contexts, including Cournot oligopoly, differentiated products Bertrand competition, mergers, privatization, rent-seeking, contests, and research joint ventures. We extend the model to consider heterogeneous entrants and income effects in demand. JEL Classifications: D43, L13
A Context-aware System Architecture using Personal Information based on Ontology

Context-aware applications can satisfy users' information needs without consuming too much time in discovering information adaptive to users. In this paper, we propose a personalized information system to provide more user-oriented information considering context information such as a personal profile with preferences, location, traffic condition, weather, time, event, and so on. Our system architecture is designed to support an effective execution usage on Web services and client applications. We implement a map viewer using a shape type of map format files with points of interest (PoI) information. Also, our system can provide associated search results from relations between the objects using context ontologies modeling created by the categorized layers of geospatial data.
Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region in MIB-1 positive cells in non-small cell lung cancer: clinicopathological significance and survival

Objective To evaluate the relation between argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR)-associated proteins and clinicopathological parameters and survival in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 207 surgical specimens diagnosed as NSCLC were included in this study. Double-staining procedures were performed using antigen Ki-67 (clone MIB-1) and silver nitrate by immunohistochemical and AgNOR-staining methods. Results The AgNOR area in MIB-1-positive cells of NSCLC is related to clinicopathological parameters under the TNM (tumor, node, and metastasis) system. The survival of patients with small AgNOR area in MIB-1-positive cells is better than that of patients with large AgNOR area. Molecular, biological (AgNOR area in MIB-1-positive cells), and clinicopathological (greatest tumor dimension, metastases to regional lymph nodes, histology, and differentiation) parameters are independent prognostic factors of NSCLC. Conclusion The AgNOR area in MIB-1-positive cells is related to clinicopathological parameters and survival in NSCLC.
Inhalant allergens in respiratory disorders: comparative study on the intradermal skin testing, IgE levels and spirometry in South Indian population

Allergy is considered to be the most damaging factor for the causation of bronchial asthma. An attempt was made to identify the allergens and the risk factors, and their correlation with IgE levels and spirometry – the measuring of breath which is the most common of the pulmonary function. The study group consisted of 139 patients suffering from asthma from South India, visiting Mahavir Hospital. Screening and clinical investigations were performed for all cases. Intradermal skin test was done for the identification of allergens. Patients with respiratory allergy were in the age group of 20–39 years. About 55.4% were males and 44.6% females and 59.7% were from urban areas. The disease conditions prevalent among these patients were asthma and rhinitis in 64%, asthma in 29.5%, asthma, urticaria and rhinitis in 4.3%, and asthma and urticaria in 2.2%; some of the male patients were cigarette smokers. Most individuals used LPG as fuel (96%) and few individuals used kerosene and cow dung as fuel. The percentage of patients positive for various fungal and pollen allergens was identified. Comparative studies with spirometry showed FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were ,80%. IgE levels were more than 100 IU in 87% of individuals. 40% of patients had family history of allergy and 10% had history of pets at home. Higher prevalence of asthma was among men. Maximum population was from urban areas. Allergic symptoms co-existed and skin testing reflected the behavior of disease. Patients with allergen sensitivity showed obstructive airways. It is concluded that the identification of allergens can allow early intervention of ongoing disease and modification of subsequent natural history of disease.
The ECF sigma factor, PSPTO_1043, in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is induced by oxidative stress and regulates genes involved in oxidative stress response

The bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae adapts to changes in the environment by modifying its gene expression profile. In many cases, the response is mediated by the activation of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors that direct RNA polymerase to transcribe specific sets of genes. In this study we focus on PSPTO_1043, one of ten ECF sigma factors in P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (DC3000). PSPTO_1043, together with PSPTO_1042, encode an RpoERsp/ChrR-like sigma/anti-sigma factor pair. Although this gene pair is unique to the P. syringae group among the pseudomonads, homologous genes can be found in photosynthetic genera such as Rhodospirillum, Thalassospira, Phaeospirillum and Parvibaculum. Using ChIP-Seq, we detected 137 putative PSPTO_1043 binding sites and identified a likely promoter motif. We characterized 13 promoter candidates, six of which regulate genes that appear to be found only in P. syringae. PSPTO_1043 responds to the presence of singlet oxygen (1O2) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) and several of the genes regulated by PSPTO_1043 appear to be involved in response to oxidative stress.
Fast Static Compaction Algorithms for Sequential Circuit Test Vectors

Two fast algorithms for static test sequence compaction are proposed for sequential circuits. The algorithms are based on the observation that test sequences traverse through a small set of states and some states are frequently revisited throughout the application of a test set. Subsequences that start and end on the same states may be removed if necessary and if sufficient conditions are met for them. Contrary to the previously proposed methods, where multitudes of fault simulations are required, the techniques described in this paper require only two fault simulation passes and are applied to test sequences generated by various test generators, resulting in significant compactions very quickly for circuits that have many revisited states.
Total Knee Replacement Arthroplasty with Buechel and Pappas Knee: Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background Clinical and radiologic evaluation and analyses of the surgeries using Buechel and Pappas (B-P) knee implants. Methods The study was conducted on 60 patients who underwent 94 total knee replacement arthroplasty with B-P knee implants from May 2009 to December 2010. The results were compared to the results of 41 patients who underwent 60 knee joint surgeries using NexGen-LPS implants from January 2008 to August 2009. Results The American Knee Society score of the B-P knee group increased from an average of 66.9 (clinical score) and 65.5 (functional score) to 93.4 and 90.3, respectively; while those for the NexGen-LPS group increased from an average of 68.8 (clinical score) and 62.4 (functional score) to 86.3 and 76, respectively. The average ranges of motion of the B-P knee group and the NexGen-LPS group were 119.1° and 114.8°, respectively, before surgery and improved to 121.0° and 123.0° at final follow-up after the surgery. The visual analogue scale scores for the B-P knee group and the NexGen-LPS group improved from 4.7 and 4.6 to 1.4 and 1.8, respectively. The flexion contracture also improved from 5.1° and 6.3° to 0.64° and 1.72°. The tibio-femoral angle for the B-P knee group and the NexGen-LPS group also improved greatly after the surgery, from varus 0.34° and 0.73° each to valgus 6.7° and 6.9°, respectively. Conclusions The evaluation of more than 2 years of total knee replacement arthroplasty using B-P knee implants showed good results. B-P knee implants showed a relatively higher degree of satisfaction in clinical knee score and less intraoperative bone mass removal than NexGen-LPS implants.
Investigative simulation: Towards utilizing graph pattern matching for investigative search

This paper proposes the use of graph pattern matching for investigative graph search, which is the process of searching for and prioritizing persons of interest who may exhibit part or all of a pattern of suspicious behaviors or connections. While there are a variety of applications, our principal motivation is to aid law enforcement in the detection of homegrown violent extremists. We introduce investigative simulation, which consists of several necessary extensions to the existing dual simulation graph pattern matching scheme in order to make it appropriate for intelligence analysts and law enforcement officials. Specifically, we impose a categorical label structure on nodes consistent with the nature of indicators in investigations, as well as prune or complete search results to ensure sensibility and usefulness of partial matches to analysts. Lastly, we introduce a natural top-k ranking scheme that can help analysts prioritize investigative efforts. We demonstrate performance of investigative simulation on a real-world large dataset.
PS-341 (Bortezomib) Induces Lysosomal Cathepsin B Release and a Caspase-2-dependent Mitochondrial Permeabilization and Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells*

PS-341 (bortezomib) is a potent and reversible proteosome inhibitor that functions to degrade intracellular polyubiquitinated proteins. PS-341 induces apoptosis and has shown broad antitumor activity with selectivity for transformed cells. We studied the effect of PS-341 on lysosomal and mitochondrial permeabilization, including the role of caspase-2 activation in apoptosis induction in the BxPC-3 human pancreatic carcinoma cell line. PS-341 induced a dose-dependent apoptosis in association with reactive oxygen species generation and cleavage of caspase-2 to its 33- and 14-kDa fragments. PS-341 disrupted lysosomes with redistribution of cathepsin B to the cytosol, as shown using fluorescence confocal microscopy, that was blocked by the free radical scavenger tiron but not by a caspase-2 inhibitor (benzyloxycarbonyl (Z)-VDVAD-fluoromethyl ketone (FMK)). PS-341-induced caspase-2 activation was attenuated by a selective pharmacological inhibitor of cathepsin B (R-3032), suggesting that cathepsin B release occurs upstream of caspase-2. PS-341-induced mitochondrial depolarization was attenuated by Z-VDVAD-FMK, tiron, and an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (bongkrekic acid). Regulation of mitochondrial permeability by caspase-2 was confirmed using caspase-2 small interfering RNA. PS-341-induced cytochrome c release and phosphatidylserine externalization were attenuated by Z-VDVAD-FMK and partially by R-3032. PS-341 activated the BH3-only proteins Bik and Bim and down-regulated Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression. Taken together, PS-341 induces lysosomal cathepsin B redistribution upstream of caspase-2. Caspase-2 activation regulates PS-341-induced mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis, suggesting that caspase-2 can serve as a link between lysosomal and mitochondrial permeabilization.
Parallel Processing for Multi-objective Optimization in Dynamic Environments

This paper deals with the use of parallel processing for multi-objective optimization in applications in which the objective functions, the restrictions, and hence also the solutions can change over time. These dynamic optimization problems appear in quite different real-world applications with relevant socio-economic impact. The procedure in this paper is presented based on PSFGA, a parallel evolutionary procedure for multi-objective optimization. It uses a master process that distributes the population among the processors in the system (that evolve their corresponding solutions according to an island model), and collects and adjusts the set of local Pareto fronts found by each processor (this way, the master also allows an implicit communication among islands). Moreover, the procedure exclusively uses non-dominated individuals for the selection and variation, and maintains the diversity of the approximation to the Pareto front by using a strategy based on a crowding distance.
On the Automatic Parallelization of the Perfect Benchmarks

This paper presents the results of the Cedar Hand-Parallelization Experiment conducted from 1989 through 1992, within the Center for Supercomputing Research and Development (CSRD) at the University of Illinois. In this experiment, we manually transformed the Perfect Benchmarks(R) into parallel program versions. In doing so, we used techniques that may be automated in an optimizing compiler. We then ran these programs on the Cedar multiprocessor (built at CSRD during the 1980s) and measured the speed improvement due to each technique. The results presented here extend the findings previously reported. The techniques credited most for the performance gains include array privatization, parallelization of reduction operations, and the substitution of generalized induction variables. All these techniques can be considered extensions of transformations that were available in vectorizers and commercial restructuring compilers of the late 1980s. We applied these transformations by hand to the given programs, in a mechanical manner, similar to that of a parallelizing compiler. Because of our success with these transformations, we believed that it would be possible to implement many of these techniques in a new parallelizing compiler. Such a compiler has been completed in the meantime and we show preliminary results.
Shadow Detection for Increased Accuracy of Privacy Enhancing Methods in Video Surveillance Edge Devices

— Shadow detection is still considered as one of the potential challenges for intelligent automated video surveillance systems. A pre requisite for reliable and accurate detection and tracking is the correct shadow detection and classification. In such a landscape of conditions, privacy issues add more and more complexity and require reliable shadow detection. In this work the intertwining between security, accuracy, reliability and privacy is analyzed and, accordingly, a novel architecture for Privacy Enhancing Video Surveillance (PEVS) is introduced. Shadow detection and masking are dealt with through the combination of two different approaches simultaneously. This results in a unique privacy enhancement, without affecting security. Subsequently, the methodology was employed successfully in a large-scale wireless video surveillance system; privacy relevant information was stored and encrypted on the unit, without transferring it over an un-trusted network.
Association between Plasma Leptin and Estrogen in Female Patients of Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Increasing evidences suggested the association between leptin and cognitive functions. Estrogen is an important factor that regulates the production and metabolism of leptin. However, little is known about the relationship between leptin and estrogen in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Plasma levels of leptin, total estradiol, and β-amyloid protein (Aβ) were measured in a total of 23 female amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 19 female cognitively normal controls. This study showed that female aMCI patients had lower plasma levels of leptin and higher levels of estradiol compared to female normal controls. Leptin and estradiol levels were not correlated with cognitive performances or plasma Aβ levels in either aMCI patients or normal controls. There was a significant negative correlation between leptin and estrogen in female aMCI patients (r = −0.633, p = 0.002) but not in female normal controls. The potential mechanisms of this disease-stage-specific association between leptin and estrogen need further investigations.
Single-Copy Nuclear Genes Place Haustorial Hydnoraceae within Piperales and Reveal a Cretaceous Origin of Multiple Parasitic Angiosperm Lineages

Extreme haustorial parasites have long captured the interest of naturalists and scientists with their greatly reduced and highly specialized morphology. Along with the reduction or loss of photosynthesis, the plastid genome often decays as photosynthetic genes are released from selective constraint. This makes it challenging to use traditional plastid genes for parasitic plant phylogenetics, and has driven the search for alternative phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary markers. Thus, evolutionary studies, such as molecular clock-based age estimates, are not yet available for all parasitic lineages. In the present study, we extracted 14 nuclear single copy genes (nSCG) from Illumina transcriptome data from one of the “strangest plants in the world”, Hydnora visseri (Hydnoraceae). A ∼15,000 character molecular dataset, based on all three genomic compartments, shows the utility of nSCG for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships in parasitic lineages. A relaxed molecular clock approach with the same multi-locus dataset, revealed an ancient age of ∼91 MYA for Hydnoraceae. We then estimated the stem ages of all independently originated parasitic angiosperm lineages using a published dataset, which also revealed a Cretaceous origin for Balanophoraceae, Cynomoriaceae and Apodanthaceae. With the exception of Santalales, older parasite lineages tend to be more specialized with respect to trophic level and have lower species diversity. We thus propose the “temporal specialization hypothesis” (TSH) implementing multiple independent specialization processes over time during parasitic angiosperm evolution.
Prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and age: a pilot study using functional near infrared spectroscopy in children

Cerebral hemodynamics reflect cognitive processes and underlying physiological processes, both of which are captured by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Here, we introduce a novel parameter of Oxygenation Variability directly obtained from fNIRS data —the OV Index—and we demonstrate its use in children. fNIRS data were collected from 17 children (ages 4–8 years), while they performed a standard Go/No-Go task. Data were analyzed using two frequency bands—the first attributed to cerebral autoregulation (CA) (<0.1 Hz) and the second to respiration (0.2–0.3 Hz). Results indicate differences in variability of oscillations of oxygen saturation (SO2) between the two different bands. These pilot data reveal a dynamic relationship between chronological age and OV index in CA associated frequency of <0.1 Hz. Specifically, OV index increased with age between 4 and 6 years. In addition, there was much higher variability in frequencies associated with CA than for respiration across subjects. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the utility of the OV index and are the first to describe the relationship between cerebral autoregulation and age in children using fNIRS methodology.
A Specialized Processor Suitable for AdaBoost-Based Detection with Haar-like Features

Robust and rapid object detection is one of the great challenges in the field of computer vision. This paper proposes a hardware architecture suitable for object detection by Viola and Jones based on an AdaBoost learning algorithm with Haar-like features as weak classifiers. Our architecture realizes rapid and robust detection with two major features: hybrid parallel execution and an image scaling method. The first exploits the cascade structure of classifiers, in which classifiers located near the beginning of the cascade are used more frequently than subsequent classifiers. We assign more resources to the former classifiers to execute in parallel than subsequent classifiers. This dramatically improves the total processing speed without a great increase in circuit area. The second feature is a method of scaling input images instead of scaling classifiers. This increases the efficiency of hardware implementation while retaining a high detection rate. In addition we implement the proposed architecture on a Virtex-5 FPGA to show that it achieves real-time object detection at 30 frames per second on VGA video.