Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of body mass index, abdominal obesity, and type 2 diabetes on mortality in community-dwelling elderly in Sao Paulo, Brazil: analysis of prospective data from the SABE study.

BACKGROUND The majority of studies on the effects of adiposity on mortality in the elderly have been conducted in developed countries with mixed results. We investigated the association between adiposity and mortality in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and type 2 diabetes were evaluated in 1,882 participants (mean age 71.0 ± 8.3 years old, 61% female). Mortality was confirmed by national vital statistics records during a maximum of 10 years of follow-up. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality after adjusting for sociodemographics and comorbidities. In a subsample of 897 participants, the effects of changes in measures of adiposity on mortality were investigated during a median follow-up of 4.6 years. RESULTS Having type-2 diabetes at baseline was associated with increased mortality (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.17-1.77), with a higher HR among men. When compared with normal weight participants (BMI = 20-<25kg/m(2)), overweight and obesity were not associated with mortality (overweight: HR = 0.84 [0.70, 1.02]; obesity: HR = 0.82 [0.64, 1.06]), whereas participants with low-normal weight (BMI = 18.5<20 kg/m(2)) had increased risk of death (HR = 1.51 [1.08-2.10]). Higher waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were not associated with increased mortality. Weight gain was protective against mortality in all BMI categories, except in obese participants, and weight loss increased the risk of death in all BMI categories by 42-63%. CONCLUSIONS In community-dwelling elderly in Sao Paulo, overweight and obesity were not associated with a higher risk of death, and weight gain seemed to reduce mortality, except in the obese.
[ISSR markers and their applications in plant genetics].

Recently, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers have emerged as an alternative system with reliability and advantages of microsatellites (SSR). The technique involves amplification of genomic segments flanked by inversely oriented and closely spaced microsatellite sequences by a single primer or a pair of primers based on SSRs anchored 5' or 3' with 1-4 purine or pyramidine residues. The sequences of repeats and anchor nucleates are arbitrarily selected. Coupled with the separation of amplification products on a polyacrylamide or agarose gels,ISSR amplification can reveal a much larger number of fragments per primer than RAPD. It is concluded that ISSR technique provides a quick, reliable and highly informative system for DNA fingerprinting.ISSR markers are inherited in Mendelin mode and segregated as dominant markers. This technique has been widely used in the studies of cultivar identification, genetic mapping, gene tagging,genetic diversity, evolution and molecular ecology.
Sum-rate maximization of multi-user MIMO visible light communications

This paper studies multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) visible light communications (VLC) for indoor broadcast systems. Transmitters, configured as multiple LED arrays, and multiple users equipped with multiple photodetectors (PD) are considered. The main challenge in such broadcast systems is the multi-user interference (MUI). In order to completely suppress the MUI, the block diagonalization (BD) precoding technique, originally utilized for radio frequency (RF) communications, will be adopted. Unlike RF counterpart the VLC signal is positive only leading to the modification of the precoding matrix, thus affecting the overall performance. The paper will investigate the lower bound for the sum-rate maximization of all users in the room scale scenario. Furthermore, the findings show that user's positions and PD's rotations considerably impact on the VLC system performance.
Hail, robo-taxi! [Top Tech 2017]

Take a short walk through Singapore’s city center and you’ll cross a helical bridge modeled on the structure of DNA, pass a science museum shaped like a lotus flower, and end up in a towering grove of artificial Supertrees that pulse with light and sound. It’s no surprise, then, that this is the first city to host a fleet of autonomous taxis.
Discounting Dollars, Discounting Lives: Intergenerational Distributive Justice and Efficiency

The view that intergenerational distributive justice and efficiency should be treated separately is familiar, yet controversial. This article elaborates the often-implicit justifications for separate treatment and provides a more express statement of how and when such treatment is appropriate. Substantial attention is devoted to an approach that holds constant the intra- and intergenerational distribution of well-being, which proves to be a valuable analytical device even for intergenerational policies that are not distribution neutral. Also explored are possible interrelationships between intergenerational distributive justice and efficiency, the choice of interest rate for discounting dollars, and how the present approach relates to those that would employ direct social weights to dollars at different points in time.
Multiple rDNA ITS-types within the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima (Bacillariophyceae) and their relative abundances across a spring bloom in the Gulf of Naples

The genus Pseudo-nitzschia includes a number of species responsible for blooms in coastal and open waters worldwide. P. delicatissima, a species reported as a potential source of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), reaches high concentrations in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea), where it regularly blooms in spring and, at times, in autumn. We assessed both intra- and inter- individual genetic diversity of this species before and during a bloom (February to April 2001) by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S gene of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. PCR products obtained from 70 strains were cloned and several ITS copies were sequenced for each strain to assess intra-individual polymorphism. Phylogenies showed the presence of 5 distinct, well-supported lineages within what was considered to be a single morphospecies. Genetic diversity was higher in pre-bloom conditions, while all strains collected at the height of the bloom clustered within a single major clade. Ultrastructural investigations carried out on selected strains revealed morphological features slightly different from the ones typical for P. delicatissima only in 1 strain, outside the major clade. Our results, supported by the analysis of the hypervariable domains of LSU (large subunit) rDNA carried out on selected strains, suggest the presence of cryptic diversity within P. delicatissima. Such diversity could in fact explain the existence of toxic and non- toxic strains within the same species and the occasional mismatches between 'species-specific' mol- ecular probes and target species.
Wireless real-time performance monitoring with fuzzy logic protection capability for power inverter

The increase of the demand in using renewable energy provides a significant increase of the use of the power inverter in the country. This study provides an opportunity to improve the reliability and capability of power inverters. The minimum and maximum values of the input parameters of the power inverter were characterized and were used as reference for the implementation of the fuzzy logic membership function. A wireless real-time monitoring system has been developed to monitor the critical parameters of the power inverter. It is composed of an Arduino compatible board, power sensors, voltage and current sensors, Zigbee wireless modules and a graphical user interface. For the power inverter protection, a fuzzy logic approach was implemented on the input side of the device. A fuzzy logic charge control is implemented to sustain the input parameters during the operation. Overall results of the study show an improvement on capability and reliability of the power inverter.
The HSSP database of protein structure-sequence alignments and family profiles

HSSP (http: //www.sander.embl-ebi.ac.uk/hssp/) is a derived database merging structure (3-D) and sequence (1-D) information. For each protein of known 3D structure from the Protein Data Bank (PDB), we provide a multiple sequence alignment of putative homologues and a sequence profile characteristic of the protein family, centered on the known structure. The list of homologues is the result of an iterative database search in SWISS-PROT using a position-weighted dynamic programming method for sequence profile alignment (MaxHom). The database is updated frequently. The listed putative homologues are very likely to have the same 3D structure as the PDB protein to which they have been aligned. As a result, the database not only provides aligned sequence families, but also implies secondary and tertiary structures covering 33% of all sequences in SWISS-PROT.
An Algorithm for Finding Intrinsic Dimensionality of Data

An algorithm for the analysis of multivariant data is presented along with some experimental results. The basic idea of the method is to examine the data in many small subregions, and from this determine the number of governing parameters, or intrinsic dimensionality. This intrinsic dimensionality is usually much lower than the dimensionality that is given by the standard Karhunen-Loève technique. An analysis that demonstrates the feasability of this approach is presented.
Atorvastatin prevents carbohydrate response element binding protein activation in the fructose‐fed rat by activating protein kinase A

High fructose intake contributes to the overall epidemic of obesity and metabolic disease. Here we examined whether atorvastatin treatment blocks the activation of the carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) in the fructose‐fed rat. Fructose feeding increased blood pressure (21%, P < 0.05), plasma free fatty acids (59%, P < 0.01), and plasma triglyceride levels (129%, P < 0.001) compared with control rats fed standard chow. These increases were prevented by atorvastatin. Rats fed the fructose‐rich diet showed enhanced hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase (Gpat1) (1.45‐fold induction, P < 0.05), which is the rate‐limiting enzyme for the synthesis of triglycerides, and liver triglyceride content (2.35‐fold induction, P < 0.001). Drug treatment inhibited the induction of Gpat1 and increased the expression of liver‐type carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (L‐Cpt‐1) (128%, P < 0.01). These observations indicate that atorvastatin diverts fatty acids from triglyceride synthesis to fatty acid oxidation, which is consistent with the reduction in liver triglyceride levels (28%, P < 0.01) observed after atorvastatin treatment. The expression of Gpat1 is regulated by ChREBP and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c). Atorvastatin treatment prevented fructose‐induced ChREBP translocation and the increase in ChREBP DNA‐binding activity while reducing SREBP‐1c DNA‐binding activity. Statin treatment increased phospho‐protein kinase A (PKA), which promotes nuclear exclusion of ChREBP and reduces its DNA‐binding activity. Human HepG2 cells exposed to fructose showed enhanced ChREBP DNA‐binding activity, which was not observed in the presence of atorvastatin. Furthermore, atorvastatin treatment increased the CPT‐I mRNA levels in these cells. Interestingly, both effects of this drug were abolished in the presence of the PKA inhibitor H89. Conclusion: These findings indicate that atorvastatin inhibits fructose‐induced ChREBP activity and increases CPT‐I expression by activating PKA. (HEPATOLOGY > 2009;49:106‐115.)
Cloning and characterization of E2F-2, a novel protein with the biochemical properties of transcription factor E2F

E2F is a mammalian transcription factor that appears to play an important role in cell cycle regulation. While at least two proteins (E2F-1 and DP-1) with E2F-like activity have been cloned, studies from several laboratories suggest that additional homologs may exist. A novel protein with E2F-like properties, designated E2F-2, was cloned by screening a HeLa cDNA library with a DNA probe derived from the DNA binding domain of E2F-1 (K. Helin, J. A. Lees, M. Vidal, N. Dyson, E. Harlow, and A. Fattaey, Cell 70:337-350, 1992). E2F-2 exhibits overall 46% amino acid identity to E2F-1. Both the sequence and the function of the DNA and retinoblastoma gene product binding domains of E2F-1 are conserved in E2F-2. The DNA binding activity of E2F-2 is dramatically enhanced by complementation with particular sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-purified components of HeLa cell E2F, and anti-E2F-2 antibodies cross-react with components of purified HeLa cell E2F. These observations are consistent with a model in which E2F binds DNA as a heterodimer of two distinct proteins, and E2F-2 is functionally and immunologically related to one of these proteins.
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Mild and Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) program on patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The sample was composed of 16 elderly outpatients who participated in an open trial with rivastigmine (6 to 12 mg/day) for 4 months and were randomized to 3 different groups: 1. group NR (N = 5), 2. individualized NR (N = 6) and 3. NR at home under supervision of a relative or caregiver (N = 5). All 3 groups fulfilled the same NR protocol consisting of a once a week session. Just before and after the 22 week period of rehabilitation, all patients were evaluated using psychiatric and functional scales, and neuropsychological tests by interviewers that did not participate in the cognitive training. Results: The intervention did not produce any statistically significant change, but small gains were observed on some cognition tests, activities of daily living (ADL), and psychiatric symptoms in groups 1 and 2. Conclusion: Group NR is recommended for reducing psychiatric symptoms, and individualized NR for improving ADL. NR at home either has no associated benefits, or the training sessions were not appropriately conducted by the caregiver. However, additional research with larger samples is necessary to confirm these observations.
Extreme electron polaron spatial delocalization in π-conjugated materials

Significance π-Conjugated organic molecules offer an added dimension to traditional inorganic materials in transistors, solar cells, and light-emitting diodes. The spatial extent over which charges are spread within an organic structure is associated with a material’s suitability for these applications. Here, using two experimental spectroscopic techniques, coupled with computational analysis, we determine the distribution of negative charges within designed organic molecules comprised of multiple π-conjugated repeat units. We find that negative charges in these highly conjugated organic structures are dispersed over greater areas relative to any other organic material that has been studied to date. This discovery is significant, as the design of organic materials that adeptly accommodate and transmit negative charges remains a significant challenge in materials science. The electron polaron, a spin-1/2 excitation, is the fundamental negative charge carrier in π-conjugated organic materials. Large polaron spatial dimensions result from weak electron-lattice coupling and thus identify materials with unusually low barriers for the charge transfer reactions that are central to electronic device applications. Here we demonstrate electron polarons in π-conjugated multiporphyrin arrays that feature vast areal delocalization. This finding is evidenced by concurrent optical and electron spin resonance measurements, coupled with electronic structure calculations that suggest atypically small reorganization energies for one-electron reduction of these materials. Because the electron polaron dimension can be linked to key performance metrics in organic photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, and a host of other devices, these findings identify conjugated materials with exceptional optical, electronic, and spintronic properties.
New High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for Plasma/Serum Analysis of Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug recently approved in Italy for clinical use. Therapeutic monitoring of lamotrigine is relevant for patient management and avoidance of toxicity. The authors describe a simple, sensitive, and highly selective high-performance liquid chromatography method that does not involved extraction for analysis of serum lamotrigine. Serum (20 &mgr;L) with internal standard (BW 725 C) was injected directly into a column (25 cm × 4.6 mm) with an internal surface reversed phase (ISRP). The mobile phase consisted of 0.01 mol/L potassium phosphate bibasic (pH 6.0) and acetonitrile (82:18), the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and UV detection was optimized at 330 nm. The overall between-run coefficient of variance ranged from 1.89% to 3.25% and the lowest limit of detection was 0.05 mg/L. High linearity (r = 0.9996) in a wide range of concentrations (0.1–20.0 mg/L) and no interference with other antiepileptic drugs, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants were the other characteristics of the method. The innovation of this method is the use of ISRP column and the choice of detection wavelength, which allow a shorter analysis time (5–6 minutes). The possibility of direct injection of plasma samples into the column permits a reduction in reagent consumption and in analytic steps, and hence in analytic error.
Identification of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei in a Blood Sample from a Child

Nocardiopsis dassonvillei is an environmental aerobic actinomycete producing a funguslike mycelium and aerial hyphae. Here we report the first Nocardiopsis dassonvillei isolated from a blood sample from a 3-year-old child hospitalized with fever, respiratory difficulty and cough. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time this organism has been detected in the BacT/Alert system. This Nocardiopsis was designated Nocardiopsis dassonvillei based on morphological and physiological tests.
THE SUBLUMINOUS AND PECULIAR TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA PTF 09dav

PTF 09dav is a peculiar subluminous Type Ia supernova (SN) discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF). Spectroscopically, it appears superficially similar to the class of subluminous SN1991bg-like SNe, but it has several unusual features which make it stand out from this population. Its peak luminosity is fainter than any previously discovered SN1991bg-like SN Ia (MB ∼ −15.5), but without the unusually red optical colors expected if the faint luminosity were due to extinction. The photospheric optical spectra have very unusual strong lines of Sc ii and Mg i, with possible Sr ii, together with stronger than average Ti ii and low velocities of ∼6000 km s−1. The host galaxy of PTF09dav is ambiguous. The SN lies either on the extreme outskirts (∼41 kpc) of a spiral galaxy or in an very faint (MR ⩾ −12.8) dwarf galaxy, unlike other 1991bg-like SNe which are invariably associated with massive, old stellar populations. PTF 09dav is also an outlier on the light-curve-width–luminosity and color–luminosity relations derived for other subluminous SNe Ia. The inferred 56Ni mass is small (0.019 ± 0.003 M☉), as is the estimated ejecta mass of 0.36 M☉. Taken together, these properties make PTF 09dav a remarkable event. We discuss various physical models that could explain PTF 09dav. Helium shell detonation or deflagration on the surface of a CO white dwarf can explain some of the features of PTF 09dav, including the presence of Sc and the low photospheric velocities, but the observed Si and Mg are not predicted to be very abundant in these models. We conclude that no single model is currently capable of explaining all of the observed signatures of PTF 09dav.
High risk glioblastoma cells revealed by machine learning and single cell signaling profiles

Recent developments in machine learning implemented dimensionality reduction and clustering tools to classify the cellular composition of patient-derived tissue in multi-dimensional, single cell studies. Current approaches, however, require prior knowledge of either categorical clinical outcomes or cell type identities. These algorithms are not well suited for application in tumor biology, where clinical outcomes can be continuous and censored and cell identities may be novel and plastic. Risk Assessment Population IDentification (RAPID) is an unsupervised, machine learning algorithm that identifies single cell phenotypes and assesses clinical risk stratification as a continuous variable. Single cell mass cytometry evaluated 34 different phospho-proteins, transcription factors, and cell identity proteins in tumor tissue resected from patients bearing IDH wild-type glioblastomas. RAPID identified and characterized multiple biologically distinct tumor cell subsets that independently and continuously stratified patient outcome. RAPID is broadly applicable for single cell studies where atypical cancer and immune cells may drive disease biology and treatment responses.
An Implementation of the Shingo System

_____________________________________________________________________________ Shingo’s mistake proofing (a.k.a. Poka-Yoke), and Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED, a.k.a. quick changeover) process improvement systems have been used in industry for many years. Despite their pervasiveness, little is known about how these systems are implemented or work in real world settings. This study documents a successful waste elimination project for a building products company using Shingo’s Scientific Thinking Mechanism (SSTM). Using the Action Research method, several strategic and tactical decisions were identified and developed into a general implementation model. These stages proved to be critical for the success of the program. First, strategic analysis was performed which is often driven by market or customer. Second, in order to drive the improvement a high level cross functional team was established. Third step, overall improvement tools were identified. Fourth, a high-level process map and prioritization of improvement opportunities were performed. Fifth, a detailed plan executed by shop level workers. Sixth, perform the implementation, documentation and periodic revision of the plan. A significant contribution of this research is that this is the first study to propose a model for implementing Shingo’s System by integrating strategic and tactical decisions important for both practicing managers and academic researchers. In doing so, a theory explaining why SSTM works is articulated.
Transition to chaos in a dissipative standardlike map.

We study the transition to chaos caused by overlap of resonances in a dissipative standardlike map exhibiting recurrence of invariant circles. In particular, the effects of the recurrence on the structure of a critical line at which the motion is always mode locked are investigated. When there is no recurrence of invariant circles, a smooth critical line exists. In the recurrence case, however, the critical line is folded back and has discontinuous parts. At this line the mode-locked intervals trace a folded devil's staircase with isolated parts. Scaling behavior of the complementary set to the folded staircase is also discussed