Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotypic Inhibitory Quotient as Predictor of Virological Response to Ritonavir-Amprenavir in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease Inhibitor-Experienced Patients

ABSTRACT Forty-nine protease inhibitor (PI)-experienced but amprenavir (APV)-naïve patients experiencing virological failure were treated with ritonavir (RTV) (100 mg twice a day [b.i.d.]) plus APV (600 mg b.i.d.). Patients responded to therapy with a median viral load decrease of −1.32 log10 by week 12. The addition of low-dose RTV enhanced the minimal APV concentration in plasma (APV Cmin) up to 10-fold compared with that obtained with APV (1,200 mg b.i.d.) without RTV. Baseline PI resistance mutations (L10F/I/V, K20M/R, E35D, R41K, I54V, L63P, V82A/F/T/S, I84V) identified by univariate analysis and included in a genotypic score and APV Cmin at week 8 were predictive of the virological response at week 12. The response to APV plus RTV was significantly reduced in patients with six or more of the resistance mutations among the ones defined above. The genotypic inhibitory quotient, calculated as the ratio of the APV Cmin to the number of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease mutations, was a better predictor than the virological or pharmacological variables used alone. This genotypic inhibitory quotient could be used in therapeutic drug monitoring to define the concentrations in plasma needed to control replication of viruses with different levels of PI resistance, as measured by the number of PI resistance mutations.
Sales Forecasting Models in the Fresh Food Supply Chain

We address the problem of supply chain management for a set of fresh and highly perishable products. Our activity mainly concerns forecasting sales. The study involves 19 retailers (small and medium size stores) and a set of 156 different fresh products. The available data is made of three year sales for each store from 2011 to 2013. The forecasting activity started from a pre-processing analysis to identify seasonality, cycle and trend components, and data filtering to remove noise. Moreover, we performed a statistical analysis to estimate the impact of prices and promotions on sales and customers’ behaviour. The filtered data is used as input for a forecasting algorithm which is designed to be interactive for the user. The latter is asked to specify ID store, items, training set and planning horizon, and the algorithm provides sales forecasting. We used ARIMA, ARIMAX and transfer function models in which the value of parameters ranges in predefined intervals. The best setting of these parameters is chosen via a two-step analysis, the first based on well-known indicators of information entropy and parsimony, and the second based on standard statistical indicators. The exogenous components of the forecasting models take the impact of prices into account. Quality and accuracy of forecasting are evaluated and compared on a set of real data and some examples are reported.
Revocable Certificateless Public Key Encryption

The concept of a certificateless public-key system (CL-PKS) was first introduced by Al-Riyami and Paterson. The CL-PKS not only solves the key escrow problem but also retains the merit of eliminating the required certificates in the identity-based PKS. Up to now, there was little work on studying the revocation problem in existing CL-PKS constructions. In this paper, we address the revocation problem and propose the first revocable certificateless public-key encryption (RCL-PKE). We define the new syntax and security notions of the RCL-PKE and propose a concrete RCL-PKE scheme. Compared with the previously proposed CL-PKE schemes, the proposed RCL-PKE scheme retains efficiency for encryption and decryption procedures while providing an efficient revocation alternative using a public channel. Under the computational and the bilinear Diffie-Hellman assumptions, we demonstrate that our RCL-PKE scheme is semantically secure against adaptive chosen-ciphertext attacks.
Limited tomography reconstruction via tight frame and simultaneous sinogram extrapolation

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is one of widely used diagnostic tools for medical and dental tomographic imaging of the human body. However, the standard filtered backprojection reconstruction method requires the complete knowledge of the projection data. In the case of limited data, the inverse problem of CT becomes more ill-posed, which makes the reconstructed image deteriorated by the artifacts. In this paper, we consider two dimensional CT reconstruction using the projections truncated along the spatial direction in the Radon domain. Over the decades, the numerous results including the sparsity model based approach has enabled the reconstruction of the image inside the region of interest (ROI) from the limited knowledge of the data. However, unlike these existing methods, we try to reconstruct the entire CT image from the limited knowledge of the sinogram via the tight frame regularization and the simultaneous sinogram extrapolation. Our proposed model shows more promising numerical simulation results compared with the existing sparsity model based approach. Mathematics subject classification: 65N20, 65N21, 94A08.
Detection of epistatic effects with logic regression and a classical linear regression model

Abstract To locate multiple interacting quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing a trait of interest within experimental populations, usually methods as the Cockerham’s model are applied. Within this framework, interactions are understood as the part of the joined effect of several genes which cannot be explained as the sum of their additive effects. However, if a change in the phenotype (as disease) is caused by Boolean combinations of genotypes of several QTLs, this Cockerham’s approach is often not capable to identify them properly. To detect such interactions more efficiently, we propose a logic regression framework. Even though with the logic regression approach a larger number of models has to be considered (requiring more stringent multiple testing correction) the efficient representation of higher order logic interactions in logic regression models leads to a significant increase of power to detect such interactions as compared to a Cockerham’s approach. The increase in power is demonstrated analytically for a simple two-way interaction model and illustrated in more complex settings with simulation study and real data analysis.
Mobile robot deployment based on Voronoi diagram

This paper describes a new method for deployment of wireless relay nodes. When applying rescue robots in building or underground city, the wireless radio is attenuated significantly, thus multi-hop extension by relay of wireless communication is required. The goal of research is to deploy relay wireless nodes to maintain connectivity from the base station to the leader robot which explores around the front line. To move the relay robot autonomously, distributed algorithm is required. The method overcomes conventional distributed algorithm, when applying it for wireless relay purpose. In the method, a virtual force which drives a node to the centroid of Voronoi neighbors and it works to maintain the connectivity of wireless communication. The evaluation of proposed method is conducted by numerical simulations and experiments. In the simulation, one or two leader robots are assumed. In the experiment, a mobile robot equipped with omni-wheels is used.
Overall genomic pattern is a predictor of outcome in neuroblastoma.

PURPOSE For a comprehensive overview of the genetic alterations of neuroblastoma, their association and clinical significance, we conducted a whole-genome DNA copy number analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS A series of 493 neuroblastoma (NB) samples was investigated by array-based comparative genomic hybridization in two consecutive steps (224, then 269 patients). RESULTS Genomic analysis identified several types of profiles. Tumors presenting exclusively whole-chromosome copy number variations were associated with excellent survival. No disease-related death was observed in this group. In contrast, tumors with any type of segmental chromosome alterations characterized patients with a high risk of relapse. Patients with both numerical and segmental abnormalities clearly shared the higher risk of relapse of segmental-only patients. In a multivariate analysis, taking into account the genomic profile, but also previously described individual genetic and clinical markers with prognostic significance, the presence of segmental alterations with (HR, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.7 to 14.5; P < .001) or without MYCN amplification (HR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.4 to 8.4; P < .001) was the strongest predictor of relapse; the other significant variables were age older than 18 months (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.8; P = .004) and stage 4 (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.7; P = .005). Finally, within tumors showing segmental alterations, stage 4, age, MYCN amplification, 1p and 11q deletions, and 1q gain were independent predictors of decreased overall survival. CONCLUSION The analysis of the overall genomic pattern, which probably unravels particular genomic instability mechanisms rather than the analysis of individual markers, is essential to predict relapse in NB patients. It adds critical prognostic information to conventional markers and should be included in future treatment stratification.
Repeated amphetamine administration alters AMPA receptor subunit expression in rat nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex

Glutamate is critical for the induction and maintenance of behavioral sensitization and associated neuroadaptations in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system. We have shown previously [Lu et al. (1997) Synapse 26:269–280] that repeated amphetamine administration alters AMPA receptor subunit mRNA levels in rat nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). The present study determined if amphetamine elicits corresponding changes in AMPA receptor subunit immunolabeling. Rats were injected with amphetamine sulphate (5 mg/kg/day) or saline for 5 days and perfused 3 or 14 days after the last injection. AMPA receptor subunit immunolabeling was quantified using autoradiographic immunocytochemistry. In the NAc, GluR1 and GluR2 immunolabeling were unchanged after 3 days of withdrawal, but both were decreased significantly after 14 days of withdrawal (GluR1, 85.5 ± 2.6% of control group, P < 0.01; GluR2, 79.2 ± 3.2%, P < 0.01). Analysis of core and shell subregions at the 14‐day withdrawal time indicated that GluR1 immunolabeling decreased significantly in shell, while GluR2 immunolabeling decreased significantly in both core and shell. No changes in GluR2/3, GluR2/4, or GluR4 immunolabeling in NAc were found at either withdrawal time. In the PFC, GluR1 immunolabeling increased after 3 days of withdrawal (115.3 ± 7.0%, P < 0.01) but returned to control levels after 14 days. The present results correspond well with our previous findings at the mRNA level. These alterations in AMPA receptor expression may account for previously described changes in the electrophysiological responsiveness of NAc and PFC neurons to glutamate and AMPA. Along with alterations in DA function, they may contribute to drug‐induced dysregulation of reward‐related neurotransmission. Synapse 32:119–131, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Divorce and the birth control pill

This paper explores the role of the birth control pill on divorce. To identify its effect, we use a quasi experiment exploiting the differences in the language of the Comstock anti-obscenity statutes approved in the 1800s and early 1900s in the US. Results suggest that banning the sales of oral contraceptive methods has a negative impact on divorce. These findings are robust to alternative specifications and controls for observed (such as female labour force participation, or changes in the early legal access to the birth control pill) and unobserved state-specific factors, and time-varying factors at the state level. Additional analysis, developed to examine whether the impact of subsequent divorce law reforms on divorce is modified after controlling for the birth control pill effect, shows that, although sales bans matter, the impact of divorce law reforms on divorce rate does not vary.
Evolutionary design of modular robotic arms

SUMMARY This paper proposes a method for task based design of modular serial robotic arms using evolutionary algorithms (EA). We introduce a 3D kinematics and a global optimization for both topology and configuration from task specifications. The search features revolute as well as prismatic joints and any number of DOF to build up a solution without using any design knowledge. A study of the evolution dynamics gives some keys to set evolution parameters that enable artificial evolution. An adapted algorithm dealing with the topology/configuration search tradeoff is proposed, descibed, and discussed. Illustrations of the algorithms results are given and conclusions are drawn from their analysis. Perspectives of this work are given, extending its reach to control and complex system design.
A Superconducting Microstrip Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Bandpass Filter at VHF-Band

A compact superconducting ultra-wideband filter with a passband from 125 to 260 MHz is demonstrated. The filter consists of ten shunt short-circuited stubs separated by connecting lines. The short-circuited stubs are grounded via a grounding strip that is attached to the box wall by a number of SiAl bonding wires. The filter is realized on two 2 in YBCO/LaAlO3 substrates, which are connected by two bonding wires. The measured results demonstrate an insertion loss of less than 0.08 dB and a return loss of better than 21 dB without tuning. Furthermore, the experimental results of the filter are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
Hardware implementation of an improved HOG descriptor for pedestrian detection

Recently, pedestrian detection system has become an important issue to improve the road safety through its integration in several Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). According to the literature, the use of the Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) descriptor has been very efficient and robust in the development of such systems. However, the intensive calculation steps of this descriptor make its implementation an issue to be address in order to meet real-time requirement. In this paper, an efficient hardware architecture based on an improved HOG version and linear SVM (Support Vector Machine) classifier is emphasized. The proposed architecture has founded on cell-based scanning, some approximations and without any pixelbuffers. The system evaluation was carried out on a Xilinx Zynq platform. Experimental results showed that our approach can achieve an efficient pedestrian detection for full HD (High-Definition) video with a reduced hardware resource and power consumption.
Design of a New Cooperative Harmonic Filtering Strategy for Distributed Generation Interface Converters in an Islanding Network

Increasing demand for premium electric power, in terms of both quality and reliability, and emerging new energy technologies have led to the development of distributed generation systems. Due to rapid penetration of power electronics equipment, many of the loads within distributed generation systems are nonlinear in nature, and the resulting harmonics pollution needs to be addressed. This paper proposes a new cooperative harmonic filtering strategy for the interface converters of distributed generation sources. A droop control method based on the reactive volt-ampere consumption of harmonics of each interface converter is designed and implemented. In this strategy, the overall harmonic filtering workload can be evenly shared without any communications. The operation principle is explained in detail. Computer simulations and laboratory test results validate the distributed harmonic damping capability of the proposed strategy.
Urinary iodine is associated with insulin resistance in subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2.

BACKGROUND Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major health problem worldwide and its prevalence in Saudi Arabia has reached 31.6%. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of thyroid disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the urinary excretion of iodine in type 2 DM (T2DM) patients, and to assess the clinical implication of iodine status on T2DM. METHODS A total of 266 adult Saudis aged 18-55 years (109 T2DM patients and 157 healthy controls) were randomly selected from the Riyadh Cohort Study. Subjects were assessed for anthropometry, morning blood chemistries including fasting glucose, and lipid profile; serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, insulin, aPAI, hsCRP, Ang II, TNF-α, TSH, T3, T4, urine creatinine, urine iodine were measured using specific assays. RESULTS The concentration of urine iodine was significantly lower in T2DM than in healthy control subjects (84.6±2.3 vs. 119.4±3.4, p<0.001), which remained significant after creatinine correction and controlling for age (p=0.01). Furthermore, urinary iodine is negatively correlated with waist, hips, SAD, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR triglyceride, resistin, angiotensin II (Ang II), and CRP, while it was positively associated with TSH. CONCLUSIONS The decreased levels of iodine concentration in T2DM patients and its likely deleterious effects on metabolic functions calls for a systematic approach to thyroid disease screening in diabetic patients. Routine annual urinary iodine determination is recommended and should target T2DM patients at risk of thyroid dysfunction.
FAS Gene Copy Numbers are Associated with Susceptibility to Behçet Disease and VKH Syndrome in Han Chinese

Previous studies have identified that disturbed apoptosis was involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet disease (BD) and Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) syndrome. This study aims to investigate whether copy number variations of apoptosis‐related genes, including FAS, CASPASE8, CASPASE3, and BCL2, are associated with BD and VKH syndrome in Han Chinese. A two‐stage association study was performed in 1,014 BD patients, 1,051 VKH syndrome patients, and 2,076 healthy controls. TaqMan® Copy Number Assays and real‐time PCR were performed. The first‐stage study showed that increased frequency of high FAS copy number (>2) was found in BD (P = 1.05 × 10−3) and VKH syndrome (P = 2.56 × 10−3). Replication and combined study confirmed the association of high copy number (>2) of FAS with BD (P = 3.35 × 10−8) and VKH syndrome (P = 9.77 × 10−8). A significant upregulated mRNA expression of FAS was observed in anti‐CD3/CD28 antibodies‐stimulated CD4+ T cells from individuals carrying a high gene copy number (>2) as compared to normal diploid 2 copy number carriers (P = 0.004). Moreover, the mRNA expression of FAS both in active patients with BD and VKH syndrome was significantly higher than that in controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Our findings suggest that a high copy number of FAS gene confers risk for BD and VKH syndrome.
To do or not to do? Prospective memory versus response inhibition in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

In the present research, event-based prospective memory and response inhibition (RI) abilities were investigated in children with ASD (Study 1), with ADHD (Study 2), and their matched neurotypical controls. Children engaged in a categorisation (ongoing) task and, concurrently, in either an event-based prospective memory (PM) or a Go/No-Go secondary task. Results showed that, as compared to their matched controls, ASD children's performance was more impaired in the PM task than in the Go/No-Go task, while the performance pattern of ADHD children was reversed. In the ongoing task, ASD children were as accurate as, but significantly slower than, controls, independently of conditions. ADHD children did not differ from controls in the presence of a concurrent PM task, while they were less accurate than controls in the presence of the go/no-go task. Overall, the two patterns of findings suggest important differences in the way ASD and ADHD children remember and realise intentions requiring opposite behaviours (acting vs stopping).
Adaptive Volterra filters for active control of nonlinear noise processes

This paper presents a Volterra filtered-X least mean square (LMS) algorithm for feedforward active noise control. The research has demonstrated that linear active noise control (ANC) systems can be successfully applied to reduce the broadband noise and narrowband noise, specifically, such linear ANC systems are very efficient in reduction of low-frequency noise. However, in some situations, the noise that comes from a dynamic system may he a nonlinear and deterministic noise process rather than a stochastic, white, or tonal noise process, and the primary noise at the canceling point may exhibit nonlinear distortion. Furthermore, the secondary path estimate in the ANC system, which denotes the transfer function between the secondary source (secondary speaker) and the error microphone, may have nonminimum phase, and hence, the causality constraint is violated. If such situations exist, the linear ANC system will suffer performance degradation. An implementation of a Volterra filtered-X LMS (VFXLMS) algorithm based on a multichannel structure is described for feedforward active noise control. Numerical simulation results show that the developed algorithm achieves performance improvement over the standard filtered-X LMS algorithm for the following two situations: (1) the reference noise is a nonlinear noise process, and at the same time, the secondary path estimate is of nonminimum phase; (2) the primary path exhibits the nonlinear behavior. In addition, the developed VFXLMS algorithm can also be employed as an alternative in the case where the standard filtered-X LMS algorithm does not perform well.
Role of Geobacter sulfurreducens Outer Surface c-Type Cytochromes in Reduction of Soil Humic Acid and Anthraquinone-2,6-Disulfonate

ABSTRACT Deleting individual genes for outer surface c-type cytochromes in Geobacter sulfurreducens partially inhibited the reduction of humic substances and anthraquinone-2,6,-disulfonate. Complete inhibition was obtained only when five of these genes were simultaneously deleted, suggesting that diverse outer surface cytochromes can contribute to the reduction of humic substances and other extracellular quinones.
Essential role of CCL21 in establishment of central self-tolerance in T cells

The chemokine receptor CCR7 directs T cell relocation into and within lymphoid organs, including the migration of developing thymocytes into the thymic medulla. However, how three functional CCR7 ligands in mouse, CCL19, CCL21Ser, and CCL21Leu, divide their roles in immune organs is unclear. By producing mice specifically deficient in CCL21Ser, we show that CCL21Ser is essential for the accumulation of positively selected thymocytes in the thymic medulla. CCL21Ser-deficient mice were impaired in the medullary deletion of self-reactive thymocytes and developed autoimmune dacryoadenitis. T cell accumulation in the lymph nodes was also defective. These results indicate a nonredundant role of CCL21Ser in the establishment of self-tolerance in T cells in the thymic medulla, and reveal a functional inequality among CCR7 ligands in vivo.