Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PRETRANSPLANT CONDITIONING WITH BUSULFAN (MYLERAN) AND CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE FOR NONMALIGNANT DISEASES: ASSESSMENT OF ENGRAFTMENT FOLLOWING HISTOCOMPATIBLE ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Four pediatric patients with diseases potentially curable by bone marrow transplantation (BMT)3—i.e., common variable immune deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, and mucopolysaccharidosis type I received a conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan and cyclophosphamide prior to BMT from HLA-identical, mixed leukocyte culture (MLC)-unreactive siblings. Only one of the four patients achieved full engraftment. Of the remaining three patients, one experienced failure of engraftment, and two had persistent mixed chimerism. Although no serious complications were directly related to the preparative therapy, the doses of busulfan and cyclophosphamide previously described to be adequate for conditioning children with WAS were completely effective in only one of three pediatric patients in this series. Despite a higher dose of busulfan (16 mg/kg), mixed chimerism was observed in a subsequent patient. Of 13 evaluable patients in the literature in whom busulfan and cyclophosphamide had been used as preconditioning regimens for a variety of nonmalignant conditions, eight demonstrated lack of complete and sustained engraftment. On the other hand, clinical improvement has accompanied partial engraftment in some cases. We conclude that additional immunosuppressive and/or myeloablative conditioning is necessary if complete engraftment is attempted in histocompatible allogeneic BMT for many of the nonmalignant disorders.
FAMILY AGGREGATION AND RISK FACTORS OF OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE DISORDERS IN A NATIONWIDE THREE‐GENERATION STUDY

This nationwide register‐based study investigates how often obsessive–compulsive disorders (OCD) with different age at diagnosis occur in affected families compared to control families. Furthermore, the study addresses the impact of certain risk factors, that is, sex, degree of urbanization, year of birth, and maternal and paternal age at birth.
Optical flow estimation and moving object segmentation based on median radial basis function network

Various approaches have been proposed for simultaneous optical flow estimation and segmentation in image sequences. In this study, the moving scene is decomposed into different regions with respect to their motion, by means of a pattern recognition scheme. The inputs of the proposed scheme are the feature vectors representing still image and motion information. Each class corresponds to a moving object. The classifier employed is the median radial basis function (MRBF) neural network. An error criterion function derived from the probability estimation theory and expressed as a function of the moving scene model is used as the cost function. Each basis function is activated by a certain image region. Marginal median and median of the absolute deviations from the median (MAD) estimators are employed for estimating the basis function parameters. The image regions associated with the basis functions are merged by the output units in order to identify moving objects.
Universal operation of a distributed power generation system based on the power converter control

The penetration of Distributed Power Generation Systems (DPGS) is contributing to a low-voltage active distribution grid characterized by the possibility to operate some portions in island mode operation. Power converters, interfacing the DPGS energy source with the rest of the power system, can experience stability problems due to the plant variability moving form grid-connected to stand-alone operation. The paper treats an adaptive droop control for a three-phase DPGS whose gains and power references are modified moving from grid-connected to stand-alone operation. The overall control structure is based on cascade loops and it is designed with the aim to limit at the least the required changes in case of operation modes variation. Experimental validation confirms the feasibility of the proposed control system and the related tuning procedure.
Self-reported musculoskeletal pain predicts long-term increase in general health care use: A population-based cohort study with 20-year follow-up

Aims: Musculoskeletal pain and disability is a modern epidemic and a major reason for seeking health care. The aim of this study is to determine absolute and relative rates of care seeking over 20 years for adults reporting musculoskeletal complaints. Methods: Interview data on musculoskeletal pain reported during the past two weeks from the Danish National Cohort Study were merged with data from the Danish National Health Insurance Registry and the National Patient Registry containing information on consultations in the Danish primary and secondary care sector. Absolute and relative rates for all seeking of care with general practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropractors, outpatient hospital contacts and hospital admissions are reported for persons reporting no musculoskeletal pain and for persons reporting pain in the neck, shoulder, wrist/hands, mid back, low back, hips, knees and ankles/feet. Results: Regardless of site, persons experiencing a musculoskeletal complaint had a statistically increased risk of consulting a general practitioner when compared with persons reporting no musculoskeletal complaint. For physiotherapists and chiropractors, only persons complaining of neck pain and back pain had an increased risk of seeking care. Regardless of pain site, except for shoulder pain, persons reporting musculoskeletal pain had a statistically significant increased risk of outpatient hospital consultations and hospital admissions. Few differences were found between pain sites in relation to any of the outcomes. Conclusions: Self-report of musculoskeletal pain reported within the past two weeks predicts a statistically significant long-term increase in general use of health care services in both the primary and the secondary health care sector.
Survey on LEACH-based security protocols

Energy efficiency is one of the major concerns in designing protocols for WSNs. One of the energy-efficient communication protocols for this network is LEACH that works on cluster-based homogeneous WSNs. Though LEACH is energy-efficient but it does not take security into account. Because WSNs are usually deployed in remote and hostile areas, security becomes a concern in designing a protocol. In this paper we present our security analysis of five security protocols that have been proposed to strengthen LEACH protocols. Those protocols are SLEACH, SecLEACH, SC-LEACH, Armor LEACH and MS-LEACH.
RNS reverse converters for moduli sets with dynamic ranges of 9n-bit

In this paper, we extend the traditional 3-moduli set {2n, 2n - 1, 2n+1}, with an equivalent 3n-bit dynamic range, and propose a moduli set extension with a maximum dynamic range of 9n and improve the parallelism according to the requirements. This paper also introduces a novel moduli set to design efficient reverse converters by using modular operations of the form 26n - 1 in order to achieve at most 9n-bit. Experimental results suggest that area reductions up to 65.61% and speed up of 2.38 can be obtained with our proposal in comparison with the best solutions existing in the state-of-the-art with the same DR. The proposed converter allows fewer bits per channel in comparison with the most efficient solutions with smaller dynamic ranges.
Distributed Lag Models: Examining Associations Between the Built Environment and Health

Built environment factors constrain individual level behaviors and choices, and thus are receiving increasing attention to assess their influence on health. Traditional regression methods have been widely used to examine associations between built environment measures and health outcomes, where a fixed, prespecified spatial scale (e.g., 1 mile buffer) is used to construct environment measures. However, the spatial scale for these associations remains largely unknown and misspecifying it introduces bias. We propose the use of distributed lag models (DLMs) to describe the association between built environment features and health as a function of distance from the locations of interest and circumvent a-priori selection of a spatial scale. Based on simulation studies, we demonstrate that traditional regression models produce associations biased away from the null when there is spatial correlation among the built environment features. Inference based on DLMs is robust under a range of scenarios of the built environment. We use this innovative application of DLMs to examine the association between the availability of convenience stores near California public schools, which may affect children’s dietary choices both through direct access to junk food and exposure to advertisement, and children’s body mass index z scores.
Film tomography as a tool for three‐dimensional image construction and gene expression studies

In order to observe three‐dimensional (3D) expression patterns of genes in whole animals, whole organs, or whole tissues, in situ hybridization (ISH) of many sections must be carried out and then used to construct a 3D image. For this purpose, we have developed an automatic microtome to prepare tissue sections with an adhesive film. We used commercially available film suitable for sectioning and ISH. We constructed a microtome and, after adherence of the film to a paraffin‐embedded tissue block, cut the block with a blade to prepare sections on film. Then, the sections‐on‐film were automatically set in a plastic frame that was the same size as a conventional glass slide. With this automatic microtome, tissue sections can be made for ISH or immunohistochemistry in addition to conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining without specific training. We demonstrate that we can construct 3D images of gene expression patterns obtained by ISH on sections prepared with this automatic microtome. We have designated this method as ‘Film Tomography (FITO)’.
The relationship between future time perspective, self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviour in the Black youth of central South Africa

Abstract Background: An interest exists in understanding why adolescents partake in risky sexual behaviours, as well as the risk and protective practices associated with risky sexual behaviour. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the moderator effect of future time perspective in the relationship between self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviour. Methods: A random cluster consisting of 467 learners from English medium high schools of central South Africa participated in this study. The participants’ risky sexual behaviour, self-efficacy and future time perspective were measured with the Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Risk Survey, Generalised Perceived Self-efficacy Scale and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, respectively. Product term regression analysis was performed. Results: It was found that both self-efficacy and future time perspective were negatively related to risky sexual behaviour. No moderating effect was found for future time perspective in the relationship between self-efficacy and risky sexual behaviour. Conclusions: Self-efficacy and future time perspective were identified as qualities that protect adolescents from engaging in risky sexual behaviours. This finding can be useful in developing prevention programmes. Intervention programmes aimed at the youth should foster a sense of hope and possibility about the future and the development of goals and aspirations to prevent risky behaviour.
Different Contributions of HtrA Protease and Chaperone Activities to Campylobacter jejuni Stress Tolerance and Physiology

ABSTRACT The microaerophilic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of bacterial food-borne infections in the developed world. Tolerance to environmental stress relies on proteases and chaperones in the cell envelope, such as HtrA and SurA. HtrA displays both chaperone and protease activities, but little is known about how each of these activities contributes to stress tolerance in bacteria. In vitro experiments showed temperature-dependent protease and chaperone activities of C. jejuni HtrA. A C. jejuni mutant lacking only the protease activity of HtrA was used to show that the HtrA chaperone activity is sufficient for growth at high temperature or under oxidative stress, whereas the HtrA protease activity is essential only under conditions close to the growth limit for C. jejuni. However, the protease activity was required to prevent induction of the cytoplasmic heat shock response even under optimal growth conditions. Interestingly, the requirement of HtrA at high temperatures was found to depend on the oxygen level, and our data suggest that HtrA may protect oxidatively damaged proteins. Finally, protease activity stimulates HtrA production and oligomer formation, suggesting that a regulatory role depends on the protease activity of HtrA. Studying a microaerophilic organism encoding only two known periplasmic chaperones (HtrA and SurA) revealed an efficient HtrA chaperone activity and proposed multiple roles of the protease activity, increasing our understanding of HtrA in bacterial physiology.
Central suboptimal H ∞ controller design for linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters

This article presents the central finite-dimensional H ∞ controller for linear time-varying systems with unknown parameters, that is suboptimal for a given threshold γ with respect to a modified Bolza–Meyer quadratic criterion including the attenuation control term with the opposite sign. In contrast to the previously obtained results, this article reduces the original H ∞ controller problem to the corresponding H 2 controller problem, using the technique proposed in Doyle et al. [Doyle, J.C. , Glover, K. , Khargonekar, P.P., and Francis, B.A. (1989), ‘State-space Solutions to Standard H 2 and H Infinity Control Problems’, IEEE Transactions Automatic Control, 34, 831–847]. This article yields the central suboptimal H ∞ controller for linear systems with unknown parameters in a closed finite-dimensional form, based on the corresponding H 2 controller obtained in Basin and Calderon-Alvarez [Basin, M.V. , and Calderon-Alvarez, D. (2008), ‘Optimal LQG Controller for Linear Systems with Unknown Parameters’, Journal of The Franklin Institute, 345, 293–302]. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify performance of the designed central suboptimal controller for uncertain linear systems with unknown parameters against the conventional central suboptimal H ∞ controller for linear systems with exactly known parameter values.
Ablation of Pparg2 impairs lipolysis and reveals murine strain differences in lipolytic responses

We investigate the role of PPARg2 as a regulator of lipolysis and its interaction with specific genetic backgrounds as determinants of the severity of the metabolic phenotype. This question was prompted by our previous characterization of Pparg2‐knockout (KO) mice that revealed striking genetic background differences in the severity of their adipose tissue development impairment and dysfunction. Analysis is done of pharmacological lipolytic responses combined with protein and mRNA expression analysis in isolated adipocytes from the gonadal pad of Pparg2‐KO mice in 2 different backgrounds (129S6/SvEv and C57BL/6). We provide evidence of the prolipolytic role of PPARg2 and how these effects are modulated by genetic background, leading to differential severity of metabolic syndrome. Specifically, ablation of Pparg2 reduced both basal and stimulated lipolysis as a result of impaired β3‐AR signaling, a general defect at downstream lipases, and increased insulin‐mediated antilipolytic action. Of note, the C57BL/6 Pparg2‐KO mice exhibited more active lipolytic response to catecholamines than 129S6/SvEv Pparg2‐KO mice with respect to their wild‐type controls. Pparg2‐KO mice exhibit metabolic inflexibility resulting from the combined effects of impaired lipid deposition coupled with impaired lipolytic lipid mobilization. The genetic background‐dependent differences in lipolysis may account for Pparg2‐KO background‐specific differences in the severity of their metabolic disturbances. Our findings identify the isoform Pparg2 as an integrator of the adipose lipid metabolism coordinating both anabolic and catabolic processes. —Rodriguez‐Cuenca, S. , Carobbio, S. , Vidal‐Puig, A. Ablation of Pparg2 impairs lipolysis and reveals murine strains differences in lipolytic responses. FASEB J. 26, 1835‐1844 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Reliability of the COOP/WONCA charts. Test-retest completed by patients presenting psychosocial health problems to their general practitioner.

OBJECTIVE To study the reliability of the COOP/WONCA charts when completed by patients who contacted their general practitioner (GP) with psychosocial health problems. DESIGN Test-retest study. Three measures: on day 0, day 1 and day 14. Comparisons were made between measures on day 0 and day 1 (1-day test) and measures on day 1 and day 14 (13-day test). Patients reported separately if change in their health had occurred between the measurements. SETTING General practice, Denmark. MATERIAL 54 1-day test chart sets and 54 13-day test chart sets. METHOD Cohen's weighted kappa was used to assess reproducibility. In the group of patients who reported health change in the 13-day test we used clinically significant changes in the individual items to assess the charts' sensitivity to changes. RESULTS The items "overall health", "feelings", and "social activities" showed high reproducibility for patients without reported health change between the tests, and good sensitivity to reflect the reported changes for patients with change. CONCLUSION The COOP/WONCA health status measures: "overall health", "feelings", and "social activities" are, combined with "change in health", reliable for assessing primary care patients with psychosocial health problems.
CubicRing: Exploiting Network Proximity for Distributed In-Memory Key-Value Store

In-memory storage has the benefits of low I/O latency and high I/O throughput. Fast failure recovery is crucial for large-scale in-memory storage systems, bringing network-related challenges, including false detection due to transient network problems, traffic congestion during the recovery, and top-of-rack switch failures. In order to achieve fast failure recovery, in this paper, we present CubicRing, a distributed structure for cube-based networks, which exploits network proximity to restrict failure detection and recovery within the smallest possible one-hop range. We leverage the CubicRing structure to address the aforementioned challenges and design a network-aware in-memory key-value store called MemCube. In a 64-node 10GbE testbed, MemCube recovers 48 GB of data for a single server failure in 3.1 s. The 14 recovery servers achieve 123.9 Gb/s aggregate recovery throughput, which is 88.5% of the ideal aggregate bandwidth and several times faster than RAMCloud with the same configurations.
Design and field procedures in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS‐A)

An overview is presented of the design and field procedures of the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS‐A), a US face‐to‐face household survey of the prevalence and correlates of DSM‐IV mental disorders. The survey was based on a dual‐frame design that included 904 adolescent residents of the households that participated in the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication (85.9% response rate) and 9244 adolescent students selected from a nationally representative sample of 320 schools (74.7% response rate). After expositing the logic of dual‐frame designs, comparisons are presented of sample and population distributions on Census socio‐demographic variables and, in the school sample, school characteristics. These document only minor differences between the samples and the population. The results of statistical analysis of the bias‐efficiency trade‐off in weight trimming are then presented. These show that modest trimming meaningfully reduces mean squared error. Analysis of comparative sample efficiency shows that the household sample is more efficient than the school sample, leading to the household sample getting a higher weight relative to its size in the consolidated sample relative to the school sample. Taken together, these results show that the NCS‐A is an efficient sample of the target population with good representativeness on a range of socio‐demographic and geographic variables. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ageing of neural stem cells in a Parkinson's disease Model

Die Parkinson-Krankheit zahlt zu den neurodegenerativen Erkrankungen. Eines der wichtigsten Charakteristika ist der Verlust von dopaminergen Neuronen in der Substantia nigra. Dies manifestiert sich in Muskelzittern sowie –erstarren, verlangsamten Bewegungen und Haltungsinstabilitat, zusatzlich treten auch kognitive und psychische Storungen auf. In letzter Zeit wurden Mutationen in Genen entdeckt, die eine wichtige Rolle in der Ausbildung der familiaren Form von Parkinson spielen. LRRK2 ist eines dieser Proteine, es interagiert mit dem mikro-RNA System und beeinflusst es zugunsten von Proliferation wodurch die Differenzierung der Stammzellen inhibiert wird. Mutationen in LRRK2 bewirken eine Beschleunigung des neurodegenerativen Prozesses, praferenziell das Absterben von Dopamin produzierenden Neuronen. In dieser Studie wurde der Effekt der Mutation G2019S in LRRK2 auf Neuroepithelzellen untersucht, die sowohl in familiaren- als auch sporadischen Parkinson Patienten nachgewiesen werden konnte. Neuroepithelzellen welche die LRRK2-G2019S Mutation tragen, zeigten im Vergleich zu Wildtypzellen einen 3-fach hoheren Anteil apoptotischer Zellen und eine Reduzierung im Recycling von dysfunktionalen Mitochondrien unter proliferierenden und differenzierenden Bedingungen. Diese Resultate bestatigen den neurotoxischen Effekt der G2019S Mutation und weisen diesen bereits in Neuroepithelzellen nach. Es war ebenfalls moglich eine Interaktion zwischen LRRK2 und dem Protein TRIM32, welches wichtig fur die Induktion der neuronalen Differenzierung ist, nachzuweisen. Dies ist von besonderer Bedeutung da beide Proteine mit mikro-RNAs interagieren aber gegensatzliche Auswirkungen haben. Im LRRK2-TRIM32 Komplex wurden zusatzlich die mikro-RNAs let-7a und miR-184 sowie die mRNAs fur e2f1 und dp1 nachgewiesen. Eine Fluktuation in den Expressionslevels von LRRK2 und TRIM32 wahrend der Embryonalentwicklung und wahrend des Alterungsprozesses verdeutlichen deren Bedeutung und Einfluss.