Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum chemerin and high-sensitivity C reactive protein as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes

Context: Chemerin is one of the adipokines that regulate fat metabolism. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) may be considered as a cardiovascular risk predictor. Measuring intima-media thickness of the CCA (C-IMT) is a well-evidenced tool for the detection of early stages of atherosclerosis. We aimed here to study both serum chemerin and hs-CRP as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes, who are angiographically free of coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 subjects divided into two groups: Group A included 90 type 2 diabetic patients without CAD and group B including 90 nondiabetic control subjects. All study subjects were having normal coronary angiography. Serum chemerin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, hs-CRP as well as C-IMT were assessed in all study subjects. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding serum chemerin level, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP and C-IMT; being higher in the diabetic patients than in the control group (p = 0.006, 0.024, 0.040 and <0.001, respectively). There was positive correlation between serum chemerin level and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), HOMA-IR, hs-CRP and C-IMT. Carotid intima-media thickness was positively correlated with patients’ WHR, blood pressure, HbA1c, diabetes duration as well as hs-CRP, and negatively correlated with ankle-brachial index (ABI). Linear regression analysis showed that HbA1c, serum chemerin and hs-CRP were independently affecting C-IMT. Serum hs-CRP was positively correlated with HbA1c and HOMA-IR (p = 0.006 and 0.032, respectively), and negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol level (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Both serum chemerin and hs-CRP could be considered as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, and hence, may be utilized for the early detection of macrovascular disease, in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes.
EAU Guidelines for the Management of Urinary and Male Genital Tract Infections1

A short version of the UTI Guidelines elaborated by the Urinary Tract Infection Working Group of the Health Care Office of the European Association of Urology is presented. The topics include classification, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of uncomplicated UTI, UTI in children, UTI in diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, renal transplant recipients and immunosuppression, complicated UTI due to urological disorders, sepsis syndrome, urosepsis, urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis and principles of perioperative prophylaxis in urology. European Urology Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel Adresses of authors Kurt G. Naber, MD, PhD, apl. Professor, Urologic Clinic, Hospital St. Elisabeth, Teaching Hospital of the Medical School of the Technical University of Munich. St. Elisabethstrasse 23, D–94315 Straubing, Germany Bo Bergman, MD, PhD, Assoc. Professor, Department of Urology, Karolinska Hospital, PO Box 60500, S–17176 Stockholm, Sweden Michael C. Bishop, MD, FRCP, FRCS, Professor, Consultant Urologist, Department of Urology, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknell Road, Nottingham NG51PB, UK. Truls E. Bjerklund Johansen, MD, PhD, Professor, Telemark Central Hospital, N–3906, Porsgrunn, Norway Henry Botto, MD, PhD, Assoc. Professor, Service d’Urologie, Hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, BP 36, F–92151 Suresnes Cédex, France Bernard Lobel, MD, PhD, Professor, Service d’Urologie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Rue Henri le Guilloux, F–35033 Rennes Cédex, France F. Jimenez-Cruz, MD, PhD, Head of Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Avenida de Campanar 21, E–46009 Valencia, Spain Francesco Paolo Selvaggi, MD, PhD, Professor, Cattedra di Urologia, Universita degli Studi di Bari, Regione Puglia, Azienda Ospedaliera, Ospedale Policlinico Consorziale, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, I–70124 Bari, Italy 1 For more extensive information, consult the EAU Guidelines presented at the XVIth EAU Annual Congress, Geneva, Switzerland (ISBN 90–806179–3–9). Classification of Urinary and Male Genital Tract Infections For practical clinical reasons, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male genital tract infections are classified according to entities with predominating clinical symptoms: (1) uncomplicated lower UTI (cystitis); (2) uncomplicated pyelonephritis; (3) complicated UTI with or without pyelonephritis; (4) urosepsis; (5) urethritis, and (6) prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis.
P‐cadherin expression reduced in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

The loss of cadherin expression has been shown to correlate to the invasion and metastasis of many types of carcinomas. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether the impaired expression of E‐cadherin (E‐cad) and P‐cadherin (P‐cad) correlated with the clinical evolution and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
C-terminal Residues Regulate Localization and Function of the Antiapoptotic Protein Bfl-1*

Unlike other antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, Bfl-1 does not contain a well defined C-terminal transmembrane domain, and whether the C-terminal tail of Bfl-1 functions as a membrane anchor is not yet clearly established. The molecular modeling study of the full-length Bfl-1 performed within this work suggests that Bfl-1 may co-exist in two distinct conformational states: one in which its C-terminal helix α9 is inserted in the hydrophobic groove formed by the BH1–3 domains of Bfl-1 and one with its C terminus. Parallel analysis of the subcellular localization of Bfl-1 indicates that even if Bfl-1 may co-exist in two distinct conformational states, most of the endogenous protein is tightly associated with the mitochondria by its C terminus in both healthy and apoptotic peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as in malignant B cell lines. However, the helix α9 of Bfl-1, and therefore the binding of Bfl-1 to mitochondria, is not absolutely required for the antiapoptotic activity of Bfl-1. A particular feature of Bfl-1 is the amphipathic character of its C-terminal helix α9. Our data clearly indicate that this property of helix α9 is required for the anchorage of Bfl-1 to the mitochondria but also regulates the antiapoptotic function Bfl-1.
Thesis Proposal

Developing control systems for humanoid robots is a labor intensive process that typically depends on a simplified, task specific, model of the robot’s dynamics. One reason for the difficulty of this process is the physical structure of these robots, with their numerous and often kinematically redundant degrees of freedom. Performance expectations, including balance, safety, and natural motion are an additional source of difficulty. These obstacles have resulted in a focused and successful research effort in the development of stable walking gaits. Because of this focus there are relatively few controllers for other task domains. Dynamic programming methods can find optimal policies for dynamic models of these robots without resorting to task specific models and controller designs. However, their usefulness is limited by the intractable computational costs associated with the large state spaces required by general purpose models. We propose that domain knowledge in the form of libraries of trajectory data can be leveraged to apply trajectory optimization-based policy generation methods to novel tasks for humanoid robots. In particular, libraries of motion capture data can provide examples of natural motion, constraints and initial guesses for trajectory optimization, statistical distributions for stochastic policy generation, and limits to the search space explored in the model learning process. These applications of trajectory libraries can replace or augment handcrafted models in much of the policy generation process. Using new trajectory-library-based methods, I will create controllers that allow the Sarcos humanoid biped to perform dynamic tasks, such as balancing on a bongo board. I will determine the utility of these methods by evaluating the naturalness and robustness of the resulting controllers.
An Advection-Diffusion Model for the Vacancy Migration Memristor

This paper proposes the advection-diffusion equation for modeling the bipolar memristor. The model identifies limiters to switching speed, reproduces general experimental results including those relating temperature dependence of I-V curves, and abstracts the contemporary dual variable resistor model. The model also reveals implicit complex resistors that cause the fleeting negative resistance characteristic in the memristor, as observed by Chua. Elegant closed-form solutions with remarkable scope are produced even under simplified modeling conditions. Numerical methods verify the closed form model. The proposed model uniquely derives all memristive behavior from a single governing advection-diffusion equation and bridges the vacancy and circuit domain abstractions.
Acetate Repression of Methane Oxidation by Supplemental Methylocella silvestris in a Peat Soil Microcosm

ABSTRACT Methylocella spp. are facultative methanotrophs that grow on methane and multicarbon substrates, such as acetate. Acetate represses transcription of methane monooxygenase of Methylocella silvestris in laboratory culture. DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) using 13C-methane and 12C-acetate, carried out with Methylocella-spiked peat soil, showed that acetate also repressed methane oxidation by Methylocella in environmental samples.
Recent trends in cervix uteri cancer

Since the prevalence of several risk factors for cervix uteri cancer, such as sexual activity patterns, cigarette smoking, and contraceptive use, has changed over time, the authors analyzed US trends for this cancer during the 1970s to 1980s to search for corresponding variations. Invasive cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates continued to decrease among blacks and whites, although declines are moderating or plateauing among young whites. Carcinoma in situ rates have not changed greatly or have declined, more so among blacks than whites. Excess risks among blacks are less evident among younger than older age groups. Increasing trends were seen only among whites in certain age groups or with certain histologic types. Declining trends in cervical cancer appear related to the widespread use of cervical cytologic screening programs, which have counteracted increases anticipated from changes in risk factor prevalence. Continued surveillance is warranted, however, with special attention to the trends in cervical adenocarcinoma.
Improved Process for Use of a Simplex Growing Algorithm for Endmember Extraction

A recent paper by Chang develops a new algorithm, called the simplex growing algorithm, which has shown promise in end member extraction. There is an erroneous description made for one of synthetic image experiments. While making a simple correction would have sufficed, a series of studies has led to interesting and intriguing results on how to determine an appropriate number of end members p, how to design a better end member extraction algorithm, and how to use an effective technique to perform dimensionality reduction.
The expression of an abscisic acid-responsive glycine-rich protein coincides with the level of seed dormancy in Fagus sylvatica.

By differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from poly (A+) RNA of ABA-treated seeds of Fagus sylvatica L. , we have isolated an ABA-responsive clone that is present in dormant seeds and under conditions that maintain dormancy, but it tends to disappear under conditions breaking seed dormancy. A search of the sequence data bases showed that the clone codes for a Glycine-Rich Protein and has sequence similarity to RNA-binding proteins. The clone, which exibits the characteristics of lea-genes, is up-regulated by ABA and down-regulated by GA3. Paclobutrazol abolishes the effect of GA3, which is restored upon addition of GA3. The possible relationship of this Glycine-Rich Protein to seed dormancy in F. sylvatica is discussed.
The mobile dso‐gene‐sso element in rolling‐circle plasmids of staphylococci reflects the evolutionary history of its resistance gene

The qacC and lnuA genes of Staphylococcus species were recently proposed to comprise a mobile element when residing on rolling‐circle plasmids. Here we present other examples of resistance genes on staphylococcal rolling‐circle plasmids, including fosB producing resistance to fosfomycin, cat resulting in resistance to chloramphenicol and cadB for resistance to the toxic heavy metal cadmium. For three of these genes (qacC, lnuA and fosB), evidence was obtained that the genes have spread between different plasmid backgrounds. The lack of mutations in qacC suggests that the spread occurred relatively recently, while the build up of mutations in lnuA and fosB suggests their mobilization occurred in the more distant past. These observations can be explained by the use of the respective antibiotics over time. However, the cat and cadB genes sequences analysed had not collected any mutations, an observation that is not completely understood but possible explanations are discussed.
A Fully Digital 65nm CMOS Transmitter for the 2.4-to-2.7GHz WiFi/WiMAX Bands using 5.4GHz ΔΣ RF DACs

This paper describes a fully digital CMOS transmitter that meets the IEEE 802.11 b/g and 802.16e standards in the 2.4-to-2.7 GHz band, while taking into account the coexistence requirements when used in 2G/3G mobile handsets. The baseband signal is upsampled first to a sampling rate FM around 160MHz, using FIR interpolators. I/Q and DC precompensation is then applied, to eliminate the image and LO components at the RF output. A first fine digital gain stage controls the signal level in a 0 to -12 dB range. The baseband signal is then upsampled to Fc/4, where Fc is the carrier frequency in the 2.4 to 2.7 GHz range. As the ratio between Fc/4 and FM is not necessarily integer, a fractional-N interpolator has to be used. The interpolating ratio has 17 bits of resolution, which allows carrier frequencies on a 25 kHz raster, to satisfy all possible WiFi and WiMAX channel allocations.
Spontaneous Activation of the Lytic Cycle in Cells Infected with a Recombinant Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Virus

ABSTRACT The genetic analysis of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), also termed Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus, has been hampered by severe difficulties in producing infectious viral particles and modifying the viral genome. In this article, we report the successful cloning of the HHV8 complete genome onto a prokaryotic F-plasmid replicon which allows the propagation of the recombinant viral DNA in Escherichia coli. The insertion of the F-plasmid into the HHV8 genome interrupts the ORF56 gene, whose expression product—by homology with the Epstein-Barr virus BSLF1 gene—is supposed to be necessary for lytic DNA replication. After introduction of the recombinant HHV8 DNA into 293 cells, early viral antigens are expressed, suggesting that spontaneous lytic replication is initiated. However, completion of the lytic program is prevented by the absence of the ORF56 protein, and a quasi-latent state is established. Upon reintroduction of the ORF56 viral gene, the block is overcome and infectious HHV8 virions are produced. As the recombinant HHV8 genome can be easily modified inE. coli, this experimental system opens the way to an extensive genetic analysis of other HHV8 functions.
Generating Animated Pronunciation from Speech Through Articulatory Feature Extraction

We automatically generate CG animations to express the pronunciation movement of speech through articulatory feature (AF) extraction to help learn a pronunciation. The proposed system uses MRI data to map AFs to coordinate values that are needed to generate the animations. By using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, we can observe the movements of the tongue, palate, and pharynx in detail while a person utters words. AFs and coordinate values are extracted by multi-layer neural networks (MLN). Specifically, the system displays animations of the pronunciation movements of both the learner and teacher from their speech in order to show in what way the learner ’ s pronunciation is wrong. Learners can thus understand their wrong pronunciation and the correct pronunciation method through specific animated pronunciations. Experiments to compare MRI data with the generated animations confirmed the accuracy of articulatory features. Additionally, we verified the effectiveness of using AF to generate animation.
Designing and managing business communities of practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to put forward a model to map the evolution of a business Community of Practice (CoP) in terms of learning and knowledge management processes. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence is based on seven case studies and the analyses of three best practices from secondary sources. Two of those cases are analyzed longitudinally from inception, while the others are retrospective. Cases were chosen in order to cover different kinds of industries and, especially, to analyze sharing of different kinds of knowledge (from call-centre operators to complex new products knowledge). Findings – The article sheds light on the different evolutionary paths that business CoPs follow and the role of the dynamics of the organizational commitment and the people involvement. It was noticed that a high level of commitment from both the organization and its members is related to the effectiveness of the Community in supporting learning and knowledge management processes. Research limitations/implications – The case studies and best practice examples reported are all based on the experiences of Western companies – although some, if not all, may have global operations. It is possible that some of the conclusions (e.g, levels of organizational commitment and individual participation, evolutionary stages and drivers), may not be valid for Asian-headquartered companies. Practical implications – This article aims to develop actionable knowledge to support management in understanding how to manage a business CoP, in order to create value for both the organization and its members. The proposed model can be used for mapping the CoP evolution, while identifying the appropriate governance tools to cultivate, stimulate and drive the Community evolution. Originality/value – In the model, the evolution of a Community has been assessed in terms of its vitality – i.e. its effectiveness in supporting knowledge management and learning. This vitality depends on the combination of the organization’s commitment and members’ involvement. Therefore, supporting a Community in its evolution means stimulating and maintaining the commitment (animation and promotions levers) of these two parties.
Nanoparticles Modified by Encapsulation of Ligands with a Long Alkyl Chain to Affect Multispecific and Multimodal Imaging

The attachment of specific ligands to the surfaces of nanoparticles is important for medical and biologic imaging. However, covalent modification of nanoparticles has inherent problems in reproducibility because of many factors such as temperature, pH, concentration, and reaction time. Thus, we developed a method for modifying nanoparticles by encapsulation with specific ligand-conjugated amphiphiles. Methods: We synthesized special amphiphiles with a hydrophilic head and a long single-alkyl chain, such as arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-C18, mannose-C18, lactose-C18, and 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid-C18. And then we produced stable quantum dots (QDs) encapsulated with polysorbate 60 (a branched polyethylene glycol head with a C18 tail) and the synthesized special amphiphiles. The prepared encapsulated QDs were subject to in vitro and in vivo animal biodistribution studies and small-animal PET studies to confirm their specific binding. Results: The encapsulated QDs could specifically bind to target cells in vitro and in vivo and could be labeled with 68Ga (a positron emitter) easily and with high efficiency. Conclusion: The nanoparticles encapsulated with special amphiphiles could provide a straightforward and novel imaging solution with multimodality and multispecificity.
Neuropsychological Impairment in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—Improvement Over the Course of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

A large body of studies demonstrates mild cognitive dysfunction in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Few trials have investigated whether this dysfunction can be improved by treatment. Thirty unmedicated inpatients with OCD were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery before and after 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Thirty-nine carefully matched healthy controls were tested twice within the same interval. At baseline, patients exhibited significant impairments on several tests which normalized at follow-up. A significant group × time interaction was found for tests of nonverbal memory, set shifting and flexible, self guided behavior. Major responders improved significantly more than minor responders on the Rey-Osterrieth Figure immediate and delayed recall. Results suggest that cognitive dysfunction in OCD can improve in the course of treatment. We hypothesize that particularly cognitive behavioral treatment enables OCD patients to think and act in a more flexible way that helps them to develop more effective cognitive strategies.
Redetermination of di-μ-hydrido-hexahydridotetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)dialuminium(III)magnesium(II)

The structure of the title compound, [Mg(AlH4)2(C4H8O)4], has been redetermined at 150 K. The MgII ion is hexacoordinated to four tetrahydrofuran (THF) ligands, and two AlH4 − anions through bridging H atoms. The Al—H distances are more precise compared to those previously determined [Nöth et al. (1995 ▶). Chem. Ber. 128, 999–1006; Fichtner & Fuhr (2002 ▶). J. Alloys Compd, 345, 386–396]. The molecule has twofold rotation symmetry.
Characterization of a Novel Tyrosine Phosphorylated 100-kDa Protein That Binds to SHP-2 and Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase in Myeloid Cells*

Fms is a tyrosine kinase-containing receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) that regulates survival, growth, and differentiation of cells along the monocyte/macrophage lineage. M-CSF stimulation of murine myeloid FDC-P1 cells expressing Fms resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of signal transduction proteins, including an unidentified 100-kDa protein. This 100-kDa protein associated with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 but not with the related phosphatase SHP-1. The kinetics of tyrosine phosphorylation of p100 and SHP-2 suggest that p100 may be a direct substrate of SHP-2. p100 bound directly to the SH2 domains of both SHP-2 and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase. The 100-kDa protein did not appear to bind directly to Fms, Ship, Cbl, Shc, or Grb2, although all of these proteins were coimmunoprecipitated with p85 after M-CSF stimulation. Association of p100 with SHP-2 and p85 did not require the major autophosphorylation sites on Fms nor binding of p85 to Fms. A tyrosine phosphorylated protein of 100 kDa also coprecipitated with SHP-2 from several other myeloid cell lines after M-CSF stimulation but was not seen in immunoprecipitates from Rat2 fibroblasts expressing Fms. Stimulation of FDC-P1 cells with additional cytokines also resulted in coprecipitation of a 100-kDa protein with SHP-2. p100 may therefore be a common component of the signaling pathways of cytokine receptors in myeloid cells.