Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significance of uric acid for the heart and vessels.

The recent article describing a positive association between serum uric acid and several inflammatory markers in the InCHIANTI study addresses the issue of whether uric acid is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Uric acid is an antioxidant and appears to contribute to salutary immune reactions, but the cardiovascular significance of rises in its serum level remains poorly understood. I would like to summarize the intricacies of this question. Increases in serum uric acid concentration could be primarily unrelated to the heart and vessels, they could originate in or form part of the processes that account for the development or progress of several cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart failure, or they could constitute compensatory reactions to such processes. Mechanistically, elevations in serum uric acid may result from increases in its synthesis, from reductions in its renal excretion, in theory from decrements in its transformation rate (i.e. from diminutions in the rate at which it quenches reactive species), and from combinations thereof. In terms of their effects on cardiovascular structures and functions, rises in serum uric acid could theoretically be inconsequential, beneficial, or untoward, by and of themselves or as a resultant, depending upon the mechanisms involved in their genesis and the circumstances in which they occur. Reactive oxygen species are co-generated when the synthesis of uric acid or the formation of its precursor xanthine from hypoxanthine is catalyzed by the xanthine oxidase form of xanthine oxidoreductase. No study has disclosed that reducing serum uric in human beings attenuates the development or progress of any cardiovascular disorder independently of co-changes in other variables. Moreover, decrements in serum uric acid secondary to the inhibition of its synthesis with allopurinol or oxypurinol have failed to benefit patients with heart failure. For all the preceding reasons, speculation on the significance of increases in serum uric acid for cardiovascular prognosis must be particularly thorough and circumspect. I was glad to note that Ruggiero et al. have impressed these qualities upon the discussion of the results of their timely analysis.
Re-engineering Issues and Opportunities in XP key adaptive practices

Legacy software must often be reengineered, a process that involves both reverse and forward engineering. No doubt, there is a lack of resource requirements, design, or design rationale documentation for legacy software. This lack of resource requirement means an unavailability of traces as well, making reengineering difficult and expensive. In this paper we arise the reengineering task and their issues at Design recovery side. We present the re-engineering project case study reports and share the experiences gained in a largescale industrial reengineering project. We also refer the possible key practices from existing software process called Extreme Programming and their adoptive practices at other side. This is the extension of the work we published in Developer IQ [9].
Effectiveness and Safety of S-1-Based Therapy Compared with 5-Fluorouracil-Based Therapy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Objectives. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of S-1-based therapy (SBT) versus 5-fluorouracil-based therapy (FBT) for advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC). Methods. A meta-analysis of all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed using RevMan 5.1. 0 software. Results. A total of 1625 patients from twelve RCTs including 820 patients in the SBT group and 805 patients in the FBT group were available for analysis. The meta-analysis of overall survival (hazards ratio HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.80–1.10), progression-free survival (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.91–1.18), and overall response rate (odds ratio OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.00–1.53) showed no statistical significance between SBT group and FBT group. The statistically significant differences in the meta-analysis indicated less incidence of graded 3-4 neutropenia (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.35–0.68) and nausea/vomit (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23–0.72) in the SBT group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of grade 3-4 anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, diarrhea, and treatment-related deaths between two groups. Conclusions. SBT had similar efficacy and better safety than FBT and was an attractive alternative to FBT for patients of ACRC, but further investigations in different populations would be needed to confirm it.
Decision-theoretic approaches to display strategies in content based image retrieval

In this report we continue development of a Bayesian CBIR system by considering the issue of an image display strategy. This is a decision problem and so within the Bayesian paradigm is to be solved by decision theory. We show how different display strategies may be quantified by an appropriate utility function, and compare different optimisation strategies. Examples are given.
Classification of decorative patterns in Kamares pottery

An important feature of the Minoan culture is the pottery of Kamares style, that documents the Cretan cultural production between the first half of the II millennium BC. This high level painted production characterized by the combination of several diverse motifs, presents an enormous decorative repertoire. The extraordinary variety of combinations between elementary motifs according to a complex visual syntax makes interesting the automatic identification of the motifs, particularly upon pot sherds. A complete pipeline to accomplish this task is still a challenge to Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition. Starting from a digital image ROI identification, motif extraction, robust contour detection should be performed to obtain a bag of digital shapes. In a second phase each of the extracted shapes has to be classified according to prototypes in a database produced by an expert. The cooccurrence of the different shapes in a clay fragment will in turn be used to help the archaeologist in datation. In this preliminary report we address only one step of such pipeline relative to the shape matching phase. CR Categories: I.4. 10 [Image Processing and Computer Vision]: Image Representation; I.5. 4 [Pattern Recognition]: Applications; J.2 [Computer Applications]: Physical Sciences and Engineering— Archaeology;
consensus approach Prediction of partial membrane protein topologies using a data

We have developed a method to reliably identify partial membrane protein topologies using the consensus of five topology prediction methods. When evaluated on a test set of experimentally characterized proteins, we find that approximately 90% of the partial consensus topologies are correctly predicted in membrane proteins from prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic organisms. Whole-genome analysis reveals that a reliable partial consensus topology can be predicted for ∼ 70% of all membrane proteins in a typical bacterial genome and for ∼ 55% of all membrane proteins in a typical eukaryotic genome. The average fraction of sequence length covered by a partial consensus topology is 44% for the prokaryotic proteins and 17% for the eukaryotic proteins in our test set, and similar numbers are found when the algorithm is applied to whole genomes. Reliably predicted partial topologies may simplify experimental determinations of membrane protein topology.
High-Quality Statistical Test Compression With Narrow ATE Interface

In this paper, we present a novel compression method and a low-cost decompression architecture that combine the advantages of both symbol-based and linear-based techniques and offer a very attractive unified solution that removes the barriers of existing test data compression techniques. Besides the traditional goals of high compression and short test application time, the proposed method also offers low shift switching activity and high unmodeled defect coverage at the same time. In addition, it favors multi-site testing as requires a very low pin-count interface to the automatic test equipment. Finally, contrary to existing techniques, it provides an integrated solution for testing multi-core system on chips (SoCs) as it is suitable for cores of both known and unknown structures that usually coexist in SoCs.
Comprehensive behavioural study of GluR4 knockout mice: implication in cognitive function

Fast excitatory transmission in the mammalian central nervous system is mediated by AMPA‐type glutamate receptors. The tetrameric AMPA receptor complexes are composed of four subunits, GluR1–4. The GluR4 subunit is highly expressed in the cerebellum and the early postnatal hippocampus and is thought to be involved in synaptic plasticity and the development of functional neural circuitry through the recruitment of other AMPA receptor subunits. Previously, we reported an association of the human GluR4 gene (GRIA4) with schizophrenia. To examine the role of the GluR4 subunit in the higher brain function, we generated GluR4 knockout mice and conducted electrophysiological and behavioural analyses. The mutant mice showed normal long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The GluR4 knockout mice showed mildly improved spatial working memory in the T‐maze test. Although the retention of spatial reference memory was intact in the mutant mice, the acquisition of spatial reference memory was impaired in the Barnes circular maze test. The GluR4 knockout mice showed impaired prepulse inhibition. These results suggest the involvement of the GluR4 subunit in cognitive function.
Artificial Immune System and its applications in gps single frequency precise point positioning

The natural immune system is a robust and powerful information process system that demonstrates features such as distributed control, parallel processing and adaptation. Artificial immune systems (AIS) are machine-learning algorithms that embody some of the principles and attempt to take advantages of the benefits of natural immune systems for use in tackling complex problem domains. Using the artificial immune algorithm in GPS data Processing can solve the GPS nonlinear models directly and avoid the ill-conditions. The principle and algorithm steps of the AIS are introduced and it¿s application in GPS single frequency precise point positioning (PPP) is discussed detailed. Numerical result shows that the single frequency PPP model solved by AIS can reach an accuracy of sub-meter level.
Cross‐species sperm‐FISH assays for chemical testing and assessing paternal risk for chromosomally abnormal pregnancies

The father, like the mother, can transmit genetic defects to his offspring that are detrimental for normal development and a healthy life. Epidemiological studies have identified associations between several paternal exposures and abnormal reproductive outcomes, but these types of studies are inherently complex and expensive, and the risk factors for the paternal contribution to abnormal reproductive outcomes remain poorly understood. Several sensitive methods have been developed for detecting mutations and chromosomal damage directly in sperm. These assays are potential bioindicators for paternal risk factors for infertility, spontaneous abortions, aneuploidy syndromes, and genetic diseases in children. Among these methods, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been adapted for the detection of numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities in the sperm of an expanding number of species, including humans and rodents. Sperm FISH has identified several potential paternal risk factors such as age, drugs, lifestyles, and various environmental/occupational exposures. Here, we summarize the status of the development and usage of these sperm‐FISH assays and suggest strategies for prioritizing chemical agents for epidemiological investigations to assess paternal risk for abnormal reproductive outcome. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2005. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanisms behind Prolonged Effects of Parental Divorce: A Phenomenological Study

ABSTRACT Much research has been aimed at evaluating the effect of divorce on children. The effects via the perceptions of adult children of divorce, however, are substantially underrepresented in this literature. Further, the studies that are published are out of date (often 20 years old), thus leading to questions as to whether the effects are the same as described. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to obtain a retrospective analysis directly from adults who experienced their parents’ divorce in childhood to understand what aspects of the divorce, either positive or negative, followed them into adulthood. Specifically, we were interested in learning the mechanisms contributing to such effects. Eight women and 1 man participated in semistructured interviews. Participants identified communication and support as key factors in their experience, both positively and negatively. Implications for clinical treatment are presented.
Formation of Whisker-Related Principal Sensory Nucleus-Based Lemniscal Pathway Requires a Paired Homeodomain Transcription Factor, Drg11

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of the principal sensory nucleus (PrV) of the trigeminal nerve, a major relay station for somatotopic pattern formation in the trigeminal system. Here, we show that mice lacking Drg11, a homeodomain transcription factor, exhibit defects within the PrV, which include an aberrant distribution of Drg11-/- cells, altered expression of a molecular marker, unusual projections of primary afferents from trigeminal ganglion cells, and, subsequently, increased cell death. In addition, surviving PrV cells exhibit delayed and more spatially restricted ascending projections to the ventral posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus (VPm). These early embryonic abnormalities in the PrV lead to the failure to develop whisker-related patterns in the PrV, VPm, and somatosensory cortex. By contrast, somatotopic patterns exist in the spinal trigeminal subnuclei interpolaris (SpVi) and subnuclei caudalis (SpVc) and the dorsal column nucleus-based lemniscal and cortical pathway. Thus, the deficits in the trigeminal system of Drg11-/- mice are specific to the PrV. Our results demonstrate that Drg11 is essential for proper cellular differentiation and, subsequently, for the formation of the whisker-related lemniscal and cortical structures.
Molecular Investigations of PenA-mediated β-lactam Resistance in Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the etiological agent of melioidosis. Because of the bacterium’s intrinsic resistance and propensity to establish latent infections, melioidosis therapy is complicated and prolonged. Newer generation β-lactams, specifically ceftazidime, are used for acute phase therapy, but resistance to this cephalosporin has been observed. The chromosomally encoded penA gene encodes a putative twin arginine translocase (TAT)-secreted β-lactamase, and penA mutations have been implicated in ceftazidime resistance in clinical isolates. However, the role of PenA in resistance has not yet been systematically studied in isogenetic B. pseudomallei mutant backgrounds. We investigated the effects of penA deletion, point mutations, and up-regulation, as well as tat operon deletion and PenA TAT-signal sequence mutations. These experiments were made possible by employing a B. pseudomallei strain that is excluded from Select Agent regulations. Deletion of penA significantly (>4-fold) reduced the susceptibility to six of the nine β-lactams tested and ≥16-fold for ampicillin, amoxicillin, and carbenicillin. Overexpression of penA by single-copy, chromosomal expression of the gene under control of the inducible Ptac promoter, increased resistance levels for all β-lactams tested 2- to 10-fold. Recreation of the C69Y and P167S PenA amino acid substitutions previously observed in resistant clinical isolates increased resistance to ceftazidime by ≥85- and 5- to 8-fold, respectively. Similarly, a S72F substitution resulted in a 4-fold increase in resistance to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Susceptibility assays with PenA TAT-signal sequence and ΔtatABC mutants, as well as Western blot analysis, confirmed that PenA is a TAT secreted enzyme and not periplasmic but associated with the spheroplastic cell fraction. Lastly, we determined that two LysR-family regulators encoded by genes adjacent to penA do not play a role in transcriptional regulation of penA expression.
Fuzzy logic PID-based SMES controller design using Bee Colony Optimization for stabilization of inter-area oscillation

This paper proposes a design of Fuzzy Logic based-Proportional-Integral-Derivative (FLPID) controller of Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) by a Bee Colony Optimization (BCO) for stabilization of inter-area oscillation in an interconnected power system. Conventionally, the scale factors, membership functions and control rules of FLPID are obtained by trial and error method or experiences of designers. To tackle this problem, the BCO is applied to simultaneously tune all control parameters of FLPID controller based on the minimization of the integral of time-multiplied absolute error of the generators speed difference between any two areas. Simulation results in a two-area four-machine power system show the superior stabilizing effect of the SMES with the proposed optimal FLPID controller in comparison with the SMES with conventional FLPID controller.
Patterning Protection Profiles by UML for Security Specifications

A protection profile is a security specification template that defines an implementation-independent set of IT security requirements for a category of information systems. The protection profiles have also been certified to satisfy the international standard ISO/IEC 15408 security criteria. However, because the protection profiles are complicated and their classifications are not clear, they are not widely used. This paper proposes an approach to model protection profiles as UML patterns. By using the patterns, designers and developers can easily specify security issues of target systems to satisfy ISO/IEC 15408 criteria. The paper also shows how to verify specifications with the patterns by theorem-proving and model-checking technologies
Genetic Susceptibility Is One of the Determinants for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Infection and Fatal Outcome: An Epidemiological Investigation

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease in China and case-fatality rate of SFTS is very high (approximately 10%). However, genetic susceptibility for SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection and fatal outcome of SFTSV infection in humans are unclear. In this study, we investigated the clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features of SFTS in a cluster of three sisters who died of SFTSV infection between late April and mid-May 2014. Before disease onset, two of the sisters (Case A and case B) had common exposure history for ticks by working together in a field to pick tea leaves from April 8 to April 12. The third sister (Case C) did not live or work together with case A and B, but had ticks in her living environment. SFTSV RNA sequences were amplified from three cases were not identical, suggesting that the three sisters were most likely infected with SFTSV through tick bite rather than through person-to-person transmission of SFTSV. The sequence of SFTSV from case C was identical to SFTSV sequences from 3 groups of ticks collected around the residential area of case C. Seroprevalence of SFTSV IgG antibody among healthy population in the area where the patients resided was 4.05% (3/74). The majority of SFTSV infections were mild cases and all three sisters died of SFTSV infection suggested that they were highly susceptible to SFTSV. Our findings indicated that genetic susceptibility was a risk factor for SFTSV infection and fatal outcome.
**title** Asp Conference Series, Vol. **volume***, **year of Publication** **names of Editors** Abundances in Stars with Exoplanets

Extensive spectroscopic studies of stars with and without planets have concluded that stars hosting planets are significantly more metal-rich than those without planets. More subtle trends of different chemical elements begin to appear as the number of detected extrasolar planetary systems continues to grow. I review our current knowledge concerning the observed abundance trends of various chemical elements in stars with exoplanets and their possible implications.
Applied Time Series Analysis For The Social Sciences

Thank you very much for reading applied time series analysis for the social sciences. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their favorite books like this applied time series analysis for the social sciences, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some infectious virus inside their computer.
Microtrabecular structure of the axoplasmic matrix: visualization of cross-linking structures and their distribution

Axoplasmic transport is a dramatic example of cytoplasmic motility. Constituents of axoplasm migrate as far as 400 mm/d or at approximately 5 micron/s. Thin-section studies have identified the major morphological elements within the axoplasm as being microtubules, neurofilaments (100-A filaments), an interconnected and elongated varicose component of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), more dilated and vesicular organelles resembling portions of SER, multivesicular bodies, mitochondria, and, finally, a matrix of ground substance in which the tubules, filaments, and vesicles are suspended. In the ordinary thin-section image, the ground substance is comprised of wispy fragments which, in not being noticeably tied together, do not give the impression of representing more than a condensation of what might be a homogeneous solution of proteins. With the high-voltage microscope on thick (0.5-micron) sections, we have noticed, however, that the so- called wispy fragments are part of a three-dimensional lattice. We contend that this lattice is not an artifact of aldehyde fixation, and our contention is supported by its visability after rapid-freezing and freeze-substitution. This lattice or microtrabecular matrix of axoplasm was found to consist of an organized system of cross-bridges between microtubules, neurofilaments, cisternae of the SER, and the plasma membrane. We propose that formation and deformation of this system are involved in rapid axonal transport. To facilitate electron microscope visualization of the trabecular connections between elements of axoplasm, the following three techniques were used: first, the addition of tannic acid to the primary fixative, OsO4 postfixation, then en bloc staining in uranyl acetate for conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM); second, embedding tissue in polyethylene glycol for thin sectioning, dissolving out the embedding medium from the sections and blocks, critical-point-drying (J. J. Wolosewick, 1980, J. Cell Biol., 86:675-681.), and then observing the matrix-free sections with TEM or the blocks with a scanning electron microscope; and third, rapid freezing of fixed tissue followed by freeze-etching and rotary- shadowing with replicas observed by TEM. All of these procedures yielded images of cross-linking elements between neurofilaments and organelles of the axoplasm. These improvements in visualization should enable us to examine the distribution of trabecular links on motile axonal organelles.