Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Haemoglobin variability in Chinese pre-dialysis CKD patients not receiving erythropoietin.

BACKGROUND Although originally described in dialysis patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), haemoglobin variability has recently also been noted to be increased in patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) without dialysis. In our country, pre-dialysis CKD patients generally would not receive rHuEPO treatment. We studied the degree of haemoglobin variability and its prognostic implication in this group of patients. METHODS We reviewed 332 patients with Stages 3 through 5 CKD; patients with overt iron deficiency or requiring blood transfusion were excluded. Patients were followed for up to 5 years. End points include all-cause mortality, progression to dialysis-dependent renal failure and hospitalization. RESULTS The average haemoglobin level was 11.4 ± 2.8 g/dL; intra-individual SD of haemoglobin was 0.76 ± 0.61 g/dL. Haemoglobin variability, as represented by intra-individual SD of haemoglobin, was significantly associated with the average haemoglobin level (r = -0.130, P = 0.017), Charlson's comorbidity score (r = 0.113, P = 0.040) and proteinuria (r = 0.151, P = 0.044). Univariate analysis showed that patients with high haemoglobin variability had a significantly higher all-cause mortality (log-rank test, P = 0.030) and risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (log-rank test, P = 0.021) and was associated with the adjusted duration of hospitalization (r = 0.134, P = 0.015). However, all associations become statistically insignificant after multivariate analysis to control for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Fluctuation of haemoglobin level is common and substantial in Chinese pre-dialysis CKD patients. Our results suggests that the observed clinical effect of haemoglobin variability in this patient population is an epiphenomenon secondary to the association between haemoglobin variability and other clinical factors.
A digital charge-mode control algorithm for power decoupling in a flyback microinverter

This paper proposes a novel implementation scheme for the controller of a single-phase, grid-connected, flyback PV microinverter topology, which employs low-value film capacitors for achieving power decoupling. The proposed charge-balance criterion is used to develop a real-time controller which eliminates parameter-dependence, thereby improving the robustness of the system. A predictive algorithm is used to estimate the flyback transformer current in order to avoid inaccuracies arising from directly sensing the current. A stability analysis of the scheme is also presented, which reveals additional design restrictions on the minimum voltage of the decoupling capacitor. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the approach.
Adolescent Racial Identity: Self-Identification of Multiple and “Other” Race/Ethnicities

This mixed methods study focused on adolescents who rejected conventional singular racial/ethnic categorization by selecting multiple race/ethnicities or writing descriptions of “Other” racial/ethnic identities in response to a survey item asking them to identify their race/ethnicity. Written responses reflected eight distinct categories ranging from elaborative descriptions of conventional race categories to responses refusing the construct of race/ethnicity. Students’ endorsement of multiple or “Other” ethnicities, and the resultant categories, differed by gender, grade, school type, and school compositions. Findings support scholars’ concern that common conceptualizations of race may not capture the complexity of self-identified racial categories among youth.
Detection of human papillomavirus DNA sequences in cancer of the urinary bladder by in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the prevalence of "high risk" human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS--The study included 10 biopsy specimens from male patients of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder for the detection of HPV DNA sequences. Specimens were collected from the Urology Clinic of the K.G. Medical College Hospital, Lucknow, India. Detection of HPV DNA was carried out by tissue in situ hybridisation (a single copy gene localisation method) using 3H-labelled HPV DNA probe and also by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques using primers to HPV 16 upstream regulatory region (URR). RESULTS--Out of 10 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, "high risk" HPV 16 DNA was detected only in one (10%) by using in situ hybridisation whereas two cases (20%) were found to be positive by polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION--Our results suggest that the rare occurrence of HPV in bladder carcinoma may not have a causal relation with the viral infection.
A Hybridized Planner for Stochastic Domains

Markov Decision Processes are a powerful framework for planning under uncertainty, but current algorithms have difficulties scaling to large problems. We present a novel probabilistic planner based on the notion of hybridizing two algorithms. In particular, we hybridize GPT, an exact MDP solver, with MBP, a planner that plans using a qualitative (nondeterministic) model of uncertainty. Whereas exact MDP solvers produce optimal solutions, qualitative planners sacrifice optimality to achieve speed and high scalability. Our hybridized planner, HYBPLAN, is able to obtain the best of both techniques -- speed, quality and scalability. Moreover, HYBPLAN has excellent anytime properties and makes effective use of available time and memory.
Ethical crisis communication on social media: Combining situational crisis communication theory, stakeholder theory, & Kant's categorical imperatives

This guide was created to serve as a tool for crisis communications to assist in crafting ethical responses to crises using social media as the primary communications channel. The guide combines Stakeholder Theory (Freeman, 1984)—a management theory that focuses on the importance of different groups of people, not just shareholders—with Situational Crisis Communication (Coombs, 2007). The guide also adheres to two of Kant’s Categorical Imperatives as the ethical basis and marker. To create the guide, the author relied on archival, or documentary, research to provide the background information and theory to inform the creation of the guide. The guide is broken up into four parts—an overview of crisis communication, precrisis planning, active crisis communication, and post-crisis communication/reputation rebuilding. The guide is meant to be used as a tool, and is not an exhaustive how-to for handling a crisis.
Ultrastructural Study of Vitellogenesis of Aphallus tubarium (Rudolphi, 1819) Poche, 1926 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), An Intestinal Parasite of Dentex dentex (Pisces: Teleostei)

Abstract: Vitellogenesis of Aphallus tubarium, an intestinal parasite of Sparidae (Dentex dentex), was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural features allowed us to distinguish 4 stages in the vitellogenesis process. In stage 1, vitellocytes have a cytoplasm mainly filled with ribosomes, but few mitochondria. In stage 2, there is an increase in amount of endoplasmic reticulum and few Golgi complexes. There is production of shell globules that coalesce into clusters in stage 3; some glycogen particles are observed via the Thiéry method. Finally, in stage 4, mature vitellocytes are filled with shell globule clusters and generally contain a large lipid droplet. Glycogen particles are grouped at the periphery of the cell.
The Construction of Reality in the Nuclear Age

"nuclear, " to the older teenager's comprehension and relatively sophisticated appreciation both of dangers and safeguards. The transformations over the years suggest that the expected progression in the construction of reality does occur. There is evidence, too, that teenagers' and adults' attitudes changed during the nuclear age in the direction of seeing no future after a nuclear war and supporting any action to maintain peace, short of jeopardizing national security. The current adult orientation is not unlike that implied by Einstein's call for "new thinking" and seems not to be controlled by denial or "psychic numbing. "A widespread anti-war outlook combined with low level anti-war activity is typical political behavior rather than nuclear-related apathy. Research in this area has been subject to criticism, much of it selfcriticism, and investigations have become more rigorous. With nuclear threat subsiding, the literature has other potential applications.
Monitoring Learning Experiences and Styles: The Socio-emotional Level

This article describes the integration within an on-line learning environment - LIFE (Learning in an Interacting Framework to Experience) - of two tools that have been designed to allow "quasi-real-time" and "in situ" monitoring of complex educational "experiences/processes", thanks to the analysis of the traces left by the learners. The two tools allow to monitor and analyze, respectively, the level of social interaction - through techniques of social network analysis (SNA) - and the emotional state of learners through automatic text analysis (ATA). When combined, the two tools allow also to monitor the emotional relationships and, ultimately, the 'social' emotional state of the community. As case history we present and discuss the results of a monitoring experiment conducted on an educational process which lasts five months (the second part of a master's degree in "E-Learning: methods, techniques and applications")
Spaceborne GNSS-R Minimum Variance Wind Speed Estimator

A Minimum Variance (MV) wind speed estimator for Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is presented. The MV estimator is a composite of wind estimates obtained from five different observables derived from GNSS-R Delay-Doppler Maps (DDMs). Regression-based wind retrievals are developed for each individual observable using empirical geophysical model functions that are derived from NDBC buoy wind matchups with collocated overpass measurements made by the GNSS-R sensor on the United Kingdom-Disaster Monitoring Constellation (UK-DMC) satellite. The MV estimator exploits the partial decorrelation that is present between residual errors in the five individual wind retrievals. In particular, the RMS error in the MV estimator, at 1.65 m/s, is lower than that of each of the individual retrievals. Although they are derived from the same DDM, the partial decorrelation between their retrieval errors demonstrates that there is some unique information contained in them. The MV estimator is applied here to UK-DMC data, but it can be easily adapted to retrieve wind speed for forthcoming GNSS-R missions, including the UK's TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) and NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS).
Habitat choice of Grevy’s zebras (Equus grevyi) in Laikipia, Kenya

Characterizing habitat choice is essential for endangered species conservation. For the endangered Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), as with many widely ranging vertebrates, human activities may be an important factor affecting space use. Grevy’s zebras are grazing ungulates inhabiting the savannahs of central-northern Kenya and Ethiopia. Past research on their social organization indicates that reproductive status shapes associations and movements. Here, we examine how habitat use varies across four reproductive classes: lactating and nonlactating females, bachelors and territorial males. We also test whether Grevy’s zebra avoid locations close to active livestock corrals, or bomas. We find that forage quality, forage quantity and habitat openness of locations used by Grevy’s zebra vary significantly depending on individual reproductive state. Lactating females and bachelors use areas with green, short grass and mediumdense bush more frequently than nonlactating females or territorial males. We hypothesize that lactating females trade off forage quantity and safety to access nutrients in growing grass. Across reproductive classes, Grevy’s zebra choose locations further from active bomas than if they used the area randomly. Our results suggest that Grevy’s zebra may require a range of vegetation characteristics for different reproductive classes. Further, they may need areas free from competition or disturbance by
Herpes simplex ICP27 mutant viruses exhibit reduced expression of specific DNA replication genes

Herpes simplex virus type 1 mutants with certain lesions in the ICP27 gene show a 5- to 10-fold reduction in viral DNA synthesis. To determine how ICP27 promotes amplification of viral DNA, we examined the synthesis, accumulation, and stability of the essential viral replication proteins and steady-state levels of the replication gene transcripts throughout the course of ICP27 mutant virus infections. These studies reveal that in the absence of ICP27, expression of the UL5, UL8, UL52, UL9, UL42, and UL30 genes is significantly reduced at the level of mRNA accumulation. In contrast to that of these beta genes, ICP8 expression is unaltered in mutant virus-infected cells, indicating that ICP27 selectively stimulates only a subset of herpes simplex virus beta genes. Analysis of multiple ICP27 mutant viruses indicates a quantitative correlation between the ability of these mutants to replicate viral DNA and the level of replication proteins produced by each mutant. Therefore, we conclude that the primary defect responsible for restricted viral DNA synthesis in cells infected with ICP27 mutants is insufficient expression of most of the essential replication genes. Of further interest, this analysis also provides new information about the structure of the UL52 gene transcripts.
Spatial Abilities and Reading Deficits in Visual Art Students

This study investigated the hypothesis that artists are characterized both by strengths in spatial visualization and problems in reading. In addition, we investigated whether such a profile is most likely to describe nonright-handed artists. A test of spatial visualization ability and a self-report questionnaire assessing reading problems were administered to students majoring in the visual arts. Art students were compared to those majoring in other spatial fields (mathematics and science) and to those majoring in verbal fields that do not call for spatial skill (humanities and social sciences). While both art and mathematics/science students excelled in spatial visualization relative to those in verbal fields, the mathematics/science students outperformed the art students. Nonright-handers did not differ from right-handers in spatial ability. However, it was the nonright-handers among the artists who were most likely to report reading difficulties. Results suggest that individuals choose spatial fields because they possess the relevant spatial visualization abilities; however, nonright-handed individuals with reading difficulties may also go into art in part by default, to avoid fields which require extensive reading and writing.
The IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY: an expert-driven knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands

The International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology/British Pharmacological Society (IUPHAR/BPS) Guide to PHARMACOLOGY (http://www.guidetopharmacology.org) is a new open access resource providing pharmacological, chemical, genetic, functional and pathophysiological data on the targets of approved and experimental drugs. Created under the auspices of the IUPHAR and the BPS, the portal provides concise, peer-reviewed overviews of the key properties of a wide range of established and potential drug targets, with in-depth information for a subset of important targets. The resource is the result of curation and integration of data from the IUPHAR Database (IUPHAR-DB) and the published BPS ‘Guide to Receptors and Channels’ (GRAC) compendium. The data are derived from a global network of expert contributors, and the information is extensively linked to relevant databases, including ChEMBL, DrugBank, Ensembl, PubChem, UniProt and PubMed. Each of the ∼6000 small molecule and peptide ligands is annotated with manually curated 2D chemical structures or amino acid sequences, nomenclature and database links. Future expansion of the resource will complete the coverage of all the targets of currently approved drugs and future candidate targets, alongside educational resources to guide scientists and students in pharmacological principles and techniques.
Out-of-core singular value decomposition

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is a standard matrix factorization technique that produces optimal low-rank approximations of matrices. It has diverse applications, including machine learning, data science and signal processing. However, many common problems involve very large matrices that cannot fit in the main memory of commodity computers, making it impractical to use standard SVD algorithms that assume fast random access or large amounts of space for intermediate calculations. To address this issue, we have implemented an out-of-core (external memory) randomized SVD solution that is fully scalable and efficiently parallelizable. This solution factors both dense and sparse matrices of arbitrarily large size within arbitrarily small memory limits, efficiently using out-of-core storage as needed. It uses an innovative technique for partitioning matrices that lends itself to out-of-core and parallel processing, as well as memory and I/O use planning, automatic load balancing, performance tuning, and makes possible a number of other practical enhancements to the current state-of-the-art. Furthermore, by using persistent external storage (generally HDDs or SSDs), users can resume interrupted operations without having to recalculate previously performed steps, solving a major practical problem in factoring very large matrices.
A Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Family Gene in Dictyostelium discoideum*

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are a class of G-protein-coupled receptors that possess a seven transmembrane region involved in the modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the nervous system. mGluR orthologs have been identified in Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and higher organisms. Drosophila possesses two mGluR genes, DmGluRA and DmXR. We screened the Dictyostelium genome data base using the ligand binding domain of rat mGluR1 as bait, and identified a new receptor, DdmGluPR, belonging to the mGluR family. Similar to Drosophila DmXR, the residues of mGluRs involved in the binding of the α-carboxylic and α-amino groups of glutamate were well conserved in DdmGluPR, but the residues interacting with the γ-carboxylic group of glutamate were not. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that DdmGluPR diverged after the mGluR family-GABAB receptors split but before mGluR family divergence. DdmGluPR mRNA was expressed in vegetative cells and throughout starvation-induced development, but the level of the expression was relatively high until 4 h after starvation. DdmGluPR was localized to the plasma membrane of axenically grown Ax-2 cells expressed as a green fluorescent protein fusion protein. DdmGluPR-null cells grew faster at high cell density and reached higher densities than wild-type cells. DdmGluPR-null cells exhibited delayed aggregates formation upon starvation and impaired chemotaxis toward cAMP. Although expressions of cAR1 and aca, cAMP-signaling components, were rapidly induced and peaked at 2–4 h in wild-type cells, DdmGluPR-null cells displayed sustained and peaked at 8 h of the expressions of these genes. Our findings suggest the involvement of DdmGluPR in the early development of Dictyostelium discoideum.
The Light-Response BTB 1 and BTB 2 Proteins Assemble Nuclear Ubiquitin Ligases That Modify Phytochrome B and D Signaling in Arabidopsis 1 [ W ] [ OA ]

Members of the Bric-a-Brac/Tramtrack/Broad Complex (BTB) family direct the selective ubiquitylation of proteins following their assembly into Cullin3-based ubiquitin ligases. Here, we describe a subfamily of nucleus-localized BTB proteins encoded by the LIGHT-RESPONSE BTB1 (LRB1) and LRB2 loci in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that strongly influences photomorphogenesis. Whereas single lrb1 and lrb2 mutants are relatively normal phenotypically, double mutants are markedly hypersensitive to red light, but not to far-red or blue light, and are compromised in multiple photomorphogenic processes, including seed germination, cotyledon opening and expansion, chlorophyll accumulation, shade avoidance, and flowering time. This red light hypersensitivity can be overcome by eliminating phytochrome B (phyB) and phyD, indicating that LRB1/2 act downstream of these two photoreceptor isoforms. Levels of phyB/D proteins but not their messenger RNAs are abnormally high in light-grown lrb1 lrb2 plants, implying that their light-dependent turnover is substantially dampened. Whereas other red light-hypersensitive mutants accumulate phyA protein similar to or higher than the wild type in light, the lrb1 lrb2 mutants accumulate less, suggesting that LRB1/2 also positively regulate phyA levels in a phyB/D-dependent manner. Together, these data show that the BTB ubiquitin ligases assembled with LRB1/2 function redundantly as negative regulators of photomorphogenesis, possibly by influencing the turnover of phyB/D.
BEYOND METHODOLOGY: THE PLACE OF THEORY IN QUANTITATIVE HISTORICAL RESEARCH*

This paper analyzes the relationship between theory and methods in that body of research that has come to be called "the new social history. " First, an argument is iiiade that the quantitative analysis of individual-level data that characterizes much of what is new in the recent sociohistorical literature is not only a methodology for conducting empirical research but also embodies an implicit theory of social organization that is both quantitative and individual.The power of such a theory to explain social change is limited, however, not only by technical problems associated with measurement and sampling error in historical research but also by the absence of an explicit causal component in the model. An alternative perspective, based on Marx's materialist theory of history, and which, it is argued, overcomes these limitations, is then presented. Empirical findings from research on the family in nineteenth century Los Angeles and Duncan's discussion of structural equation models, are used to illustrate how different theories of social change might be empirically tested. There is a long tradition of debate about the relationship between theory and methods, between the explanation of empirical observations and the techniques used to generate those observations, in the history and philosophy of the social sciences. The increasing application of quantitative techniques to the analysis of historical data and the longstanding interest among social scientists in theories of social change provide an opportunity to reconsider some of the issues involved in this debate. This paper will present an analysis of the relationship between theory and methods in that body of research that has come to be called "the new social history. " Examples will be drawn primarily, although not exclusively, from historical studies of the family. The investigation of historical subjects is a particularly useful case for exploring the relationship between theory and