Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative RT‐PCR in cirrhotic nodules reveals gene expression changes associated with liver carcinogenesis

Cirrhosis is considered to be the precursor of most hepatocellular carcinomas. To gain insight into the early molecular mechanisms of liver carcinogenesis, this study compared, using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), the expression levels of 31 selected genes in normal livers, cirrhotic nodules, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Since cirrhosis is composed of a mixture of polyclonal and monoclonal nodules, gene expression levels were also compared according to the clonal status of the cirrhotic nodules. The expression of eight of the 31 genes studied was significantly increased (NEGF2, ANGPT1, ARF, KRT19, SFN, CLDN4, MMP7, and ETV4) in cirrhotic nodules compared with normal liver, while only one was decreased (LYVE1). The same trend of variation was observed in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas for all of these genes except KRT19. When gene expression variation was compared according to the clonal status of cirrhotic nodules, only the LYVE1 expression level was significantly different. The LYVE1 gene expression level decreased progressively from polyclonal cirrhotic nodules to monoclonal cirrhotic nodules (polyclonal nodules 0.39 ± 0.25; monoclonal nodules 0.20 ± 0.14; p < 0.05) and to hepatocellular carcinoma (0.07 ± 0.1). In conclusion, this study highlights the fact that among genes strongly dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, some are already abnormally expressed in cirrhosis. The decrease in the expression level of one of these genes, LYVE1, was associated with monoclonality in cirrhotic nodules. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culture, Dissonance, and Self-Affirmation

Within the framework of self-affirmation theory, the authors compared levels of dissonance reduction in the free-choice paradigm between a culture typical of an independent construal of self (Canadian) and a culture typical of an interdependent construal of self (Japanese). Whereas Canadian results virtually duplicated past self-affirmation findings with U.S. participants, Japanese results showed no dissonance reduction. This, the authors argue, is because such situations do not threaten core aspects of the interdependent self:
Optimal Control of Constrained Cognitive Radio Networks with Dynamic Population Size

In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal control for throughput utility maximization in cognitive radio networks with dynamic user arrivals and departures. The cognitive radio network considered in this paper consists of a number of heterogeneous sub-networks. These sub-networks may be power-constrained and are required to operate in such a way that the average total interference received on primary channels are kept below given thresholds. We develop a control policy that performs joint admission control and resource scheduling. Through Lyapunov optimization techniques, we show that the proposed policy achieves a utility performance within $O(\delta)$ of optimality for any positive $\delta$. We further show that this arbitrarily closeness to optimality comes at the price of having a delay that is $O(\frac{1}{\delta})$ in admitting users. We also propose constant factor approximations of the policy for distributed implementation.
Thinking in three dimensions: a different point of view for understanding autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex phenomenon. This neurodevelopmental condition is characterized by a hallmark of impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted activity. Neurocognitive studies in the last three decades provide important insights regarding the pathological development, and the complexity of the ASD condition (Frith, 1989; Belmonte et al., 2004; Baron-Cohen, 2006; Happe and Frith, 2006; Markram and Markram, 2010; Philip et al., 2012; Schore, 2013; Tang et al., 2014; Hahamy et al., 2015).
FiWi enhanced LTE-A HetNets with unreliable fiber backhaul sharing and WiFi offloading

To cope with the unprecedented growth of mobile data traffic, we investigate the performance gains obtained from unifying coverage-centric 4G mobile networks and capacity-centric fiber-wireless (FiWi) broadband access networks based on data-centric Ethernet technologies with resulting fiber backhaul sharing and WiFi offloading capabilities. Despite recent progress on backhaul-aware 4G studies with capacity-limited backhaul links, the performance-limiting impact of backhaul latency and reliability has not been examined in sufficient detail previously. In this paper, we evaluate the maximum aggregate throughput, offloading efficiency, and in particular the delay performance of FiWi enhanced LTE-A heterogeneous networks (HetNets), including the beneficial impact of various localized fiber-lean backhaul redundancy and wireless protection techniques, by means of probabilistic analysis and verifying simulation, paying close attention to fiber backhaul reliability issues and WiFi offloading limitations due to WiFi mesh node failures as well as temporal and spatial WiFi coverage constraints.
Integral sliding mode control for a quadrotor in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances

This paper investigates a novel integral sliding mode control (ISMC) strategy for the waypoint tracking control of a quadrotor in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. The proposed controller has the inner-outer loop structure: The outer loop is to generate the reference signals of the roll and pitch angles, while the inner loop is designed by using the ISMC technique for the quadrotor to track the desired x, y positions, roll and pitch angles. The Lyapunov stability analysis is provided to show that the negative effects of the bounded model uncertainties and external disturbances can be completely rejected. Finally, the experimental testings are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Downlink synchronization of LTE base stations for opportunistic ToA positioning

Long Term Evolution (LTE) signals are a very good complement to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in urban environments, due to their attractive positioning capabilities. However, the network-based positioning methods defined in the LTE standard hinder the use of these signals for ranging in an opportunistic way. This is mainly due to the lack of synchronization between LTE base stations (BSs) in most of current network deployments. To circumvent this limitation, this paper proposes a method to synchronize LTE BSs using time-delay and frequency tracking loops and a-priori known receiver position. The main considerations on the use of this method for opportunistic time-of-arrival (ToA) positioning are discussed. Using real LTE signals emulated in the laboratory, positioning results are obtained with a software receiver under a dynamic trajectory, validating the use of the proposed synchronization for opportunistic ToA positioning.
Birth weight and risk of type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity and hypertension among Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between birth weight and risk of type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity and hypertension among Chinese adults. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES Nine hundred and seventy-three individuals from a population-based cross-sectional survey for the prevalence of type 2 diabetes conducted in Shanghai in 2002 were enrolled and followed up to 2004 with yearly examination. Birth weight was classified into four categories: <2500, 2500-2999, 3000-3499 and >or=3500 g. RESULTS In this study, there were 373 males and 600 females, with a mean age of 46.2+/-9.9 years. Fasting plasma glucose was higher in subjects with the lowest birth weight (<2500 g) compared with those with the highest birth weight. Waist circumference and systolic blood pressure showed U-shaped relationships with birth weight. Birth weight was found to be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity and hypertension. For type 2 diabetes, the crude odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 3.17 (1.48-6.78) in the lowest birth weight category when compared with that in the highest birth weight category (>or=3500 g) and the ratio increased to 3.97 (1.71-9.22) after adjustment for related variables. The highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes (34.5%) was observed among those with the lowest birth weight and abdominal obesity. CONCLUSIONS Birth weight is inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Subjects with the lowest or the highest birth weight were associated with a high risk of developing abdominal obesity and hypertension. Low birth weight coupled with abdominal obesity is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes.
Application of maximum entropy method in Chinese-English cross language information retrieval

In cross language information retrieval, such as Chinese-English information retrieval, the query sentence often comprises some query keywords, but not a complete sentence. Because of the lack of necessary context and syntactic information in the query keywords, it is difficult to translate the query sentence accurately and return the results which are the best fit to the query. So, in Chinese-English cross language information retrieval, how to obtain effective Web pages and evaluate translation candidates are two challenging issues. In this paper, an approach based maximum entropy method (MEM) is proposed to obtain effective Web pages. For obtaining a correct translation list, we establish English-Chinese, Chinese - English special dictionary. Thus we can translate the query as accurately as possible by using bi-directional translation with disambiguation based on MEM. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method has a good performance in Chinese-English cross language information retrieval, and achieves 86.8% accuracy.
TSMR - a new statistical model for MPEG-coded video

This paper introduces a new statistical model for VBR video. The idea is to model the variations of the source traffic using a modified Markov-renewal process. The resulting Markov states can be classified into two groups: low-variation and high-variation. A low-variation state corresponds to a small difference between adjacent frames or group of frames, whereas a high-variation state corresponds to a significant change in size. The difference in frame size within each Markov state is then modeled to match both the autocorrelation structure and marginal distribution function. The resulting model is called the two-sided Markov renewal model (TSMR) and is designed specifically for prediction. A simple Markov decision policy is developed and used for this purpose. In order to evaluate this model, real-time prediction is carried out on a number of MPEG coded video streams, and simulation results are discussed and compared with their empirical counterparts. The model is parsimonious in terms of parameters used and memory required. Computation of the prediction algorithm is fast and simple. Only minimal knowledge of the source traffic is required to drive the predictor machine. It is most suitable for the task of dynamic bandwidth allocation in which only very little knowledge about the source is available in advance.
The VADA Architecture for Cost-Effective Data Wrangling

Data wrangling, the multi-faceted process by which the data required by an application is identified, extracted, cleaned and integrated, is often cumbersome and labor intensive. In this paper, we present an architecture that supports a complete data wrangling lifecycle, orchestrates components dynamically, builds on automation wherever possible, is informed by whatever data is available, refines automatically produced results in the light of feedback, takes into account the user's priorities, and supports data scientists with diverse skill sets. The architecture is demonstrated in practice for wrangling property sales and open government data.
The CAPN10 Gene Is Associated with Insulin Resistance Phenotypes in the Spanish Population

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world. Familial aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors is a frequent finding, but genetic factors affecting its presentation are still poorly understood. The calpain 10 gene (CAPN10) has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a complex metabolic disorder with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the CAPN10 gene has been associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in T2DM and in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this work, we have analysed whether the polymorphisms UCSNP44, -43, -19 and -63 are related to several cardiovascular risk factors in the context of MS. Molecular analysis of CAPN10 gene was performed in 899 individuals randomly chosen from a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological survey. We have found that CAPN10 gene in our population is mainly associated with two indicators of the presence of insulin resistance: glucose levels two hours after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HOMA values, although cholesterol levels and blood pressure values are also influenced by CAPN10 variants. In addition, the 1221/1121 haplogenotype is under-represented in individuals that fulfil the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria for MS. Our results suggest that CAPN10 gene is associated with insulin resistance phenotypes in the Spanish population.
The Role of Criminal Social Identity in the Relationship between Criminal Friends and Criminal Thinking Style within a Sample of Recidivistic Prisoners

Previous research suggests a direct relationship between criminal friends and criminal thinking style; however, social identity theory proposes that identity mediates the impact of social group members on development of thinking styles. This research project is the first attempt to empirically test the mediating role of criminal social identity in the development of criminal thinking styles within a recidivistic prison sample (N = 312). The structural equation model of criminal thinking style presented and tested in this study supports the central predictions of social identity theory, with findings demonstrating an indirect effect of antisocial friend associations on criminal thinking through in-group affect and in-group ties with criminal in-group members that reflect two of three dimensions of the measure of criminal social identity applied in the current study. Further implications in relation to theory and previous studies are discussed.
Extended Recommendation Framework: Generating the Text of a User Review as a Personalized Summary

We propose to augment rating based recommender systems by providing the user with additional information which might help him in his choice or in the understanding of the recommendation. We consider here as a new task, the generation of personalized reviews associated to items. We use an extractive summary formulation for generating these reviews. We also show that the two information sources, ratings and items could be used both for estimating ratings and for generating summaries, leading to improved performance for each system compared to the use of a single source. Besides these two contributions, we show how a personalized polarity classifier can integrate the rating and textual aspects. Overall, the proposed system offers the user three personalized hints for a recommendation: rating, text and polarity. We evaluate these three components on two datasets using appropriate measures for each task.
In the Union Now

Despite periodic consideration of public sector unions in the public management and administration literature, empirical evidence on the union membership decisions of public employees remains scant. In this article, we begin to address this issue by considering unique data on union membership drawn from a local educational agency in a midsize American city. We find union membership rates to be highest in schools that are hardest to staff and where working conditions may be most difficult. We consider this evidence in light of recent efforts to reform public sector unions in general and teacher unions in particular.
Patellar Taping: A Radiographic Examination of the Medial Glide Technique

The purpose of this study was to radiographically de termine the effectiveness of the McConnell medial glide patellar taping technique. Twenty apparently healthy men, between ages 18 and 35, participated in this study. Subjects underwent a series of three radiographs in a modified Merchant view. First, a bilateral tangential view of the patellofemoral joints was taken to establish a baseline. Next, the same view was obtained with the experimental knees taped using the McConnell medial glide technique. Subjects then underwent a standard ized exercise protocol to stress the tape and the ac companying knee structures. This was followed by a third view of the patellofemoral joints. Radiographs were measured using the Merchant congruence angle and analyzed statistically with dependent, mean differ ence tests. Results from this study indicate that the Mc Connell medial glide technique was effective in signifi cantly moving the patella medially (P = 0.003), but that the tape was ineffective in maintaining this significance after exercise (P < 0.001). In 3 subjects (15%) of this sample, the tape was ineffective in moving the patella medially in any degree. One interesting finding was that exercise caused a statistically significant (P = 0.016) lateral shift from baseline in the control knees. This may suggest some clinical significance for patellar taping in preventing excessive lateral shift.
A Dietary Supplementation with Leucine and Antioxidants Is Capable to Accelerate Muscle Mass Recovery after Immobilization in Adult Rats

Prolonged inactivity induces muscle loss due to an activation of proteolysis and decreased protein synthesis; the latter is also involved in the recovery of muscle mass. The aim of the present work was to explore the evolution of muscle mass and protein metabolism during immobilization and recovery and assess the effect of a nutritional strategy for counteracting muscle loss and facilitating recovery. Adult rats (6–8 months) were subjected to unilateral hindlimb casting for 8 days (I0–I8) and then permitted to recover for 10 to 40 days (R10–R40). They were fed a Control or Experimental diet supplemented with antioxidants/polyphenols (AOX) (I0 to I8), AOX and leucine (AOX + LEU) (I8 to R15) and LEU alone (R15 to R40). Muscle mass, absolute protein synthesis rate and proteasome activities were measured in gastrocnemius muscle in casted and non-casted legs in post prandial (PP) and post absorptive (PA) states at each time point. Immobilized gastrocnemius protein content was similarly reduced (-37%) in both diets compared to the non-casted leg. Muscle mass recovery was accelerated by the AOX and LEU supplementation (+6% AOX+LEU vs. Control, P<0.05 at R40) due to a higher protein synthesis both in PA and PP states (+23% and 31% respectively, Experimental vs. Control diets, P<0.05, R40) without difference in trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities between diets. Thus, this nutritional supplementation accelerated the recovery of muscle mass via a stimulation of protein synthesis throughout the entire day (in the PP and PA states) and could be a promising strategy to be tested during recovery from bed rest in humans.
Keratinized mucosa around implants in partially edentulous posterior mandible: 10-year results of a prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to investigate the clinical conditions around dental implants placed in the posterior mandible of healthy or moderately periodontally compromised patients, in relation to the presence or not of keratinized mucosa (KT). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty-eight patients who needed an implant in the posterior mandible were consecutively enrolled in a private specialist practice. Only one implant per patient was examined originally placed either within KT or alveolar (AM) mucosa. At 10 years, clinical and radiographic measures were recorded by a calibrated operator. The number of sites treated according to therapy modalities C and D (antibiotics and/or surgery) during the 10 years was also registered. RESULTS Ninety-eight patients completed the 10-year study. The absence of KT was associated with higher plaque accumulation, greater soft-tissue recession (REC), and a higher number of sites that required additional surgical and/or antibiotic treatment. Patient-reported outcomes regarding maintenance procedures presented major differences between the groups. In 11 of the 35 AM cases, additional free gingival graft (FGG) was successfully employed to reduce discomfort and to facilitate optimal plaque control. CONCLUSION Implants that are not surrounded by KT are more prone to plaque accumulation and REC, even in patients exercising sufficient oral hygiene and receiving adequate supporting periodontal therapy (SPT). In selected cases, particularly in the edentulous posterior mandible, where ridge resorption leads to reduced vestibular depth and lack of KT, additional FGG can be beneficial to facilitate proper oral hygiene procedures.
Teacher Concerns and Teacher Anxiety: A Neglected Topic of Classroom Research

Although a considerable amount of research on the effects of anxiety in the classroom has been conducted, most studies have tended to focus on aspects of student anxiety. In recent years, however, a number of investigators have turned their attention to the complementary area of teacher anxiety and have begun to study the incidence and effects of teachers who experience anxiety in the classroom. Certainly relating anxiety to both student and teacher makes possible a more sophisticated and complete approach that should increase the understanding of the impact of anxiety in the classroom. Yet a closer examination of the research to date on teacher anxiety suggests that this area is still at a very early stage of development. This paper will outline the directions in which further research and theoretical clarification seem warranted.
A Rational Spectral Collocation Method with Adaptively Transformed Chebyshev Grid Points

A spectral collocation method based on rational interpolants and adaptive grid points is presented. The rational interpolants approximate analytic functions with exponential accuracy by using prescribed barycentric weights and transformed Chebyshev points. The locations of the grid points are adapted to singularities of the underlying solution, and the locations of these singularities are approximated by the locations of poles of Chebyshev-Pade´ approximants. Numerical experiments on two time-dependent problems, one with finite time blow-up and one with a moving front, indicate that the method far outperforms the standard Chebyshev spectral collocation method for problems whose solutions have singularities in the complex plane close to $[-1,1]$.
Hallucinations in Adolescents With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychotic Disorder

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the phenomenology of hallucinations in hospitalized adolescents diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychotic disorder. Methods: Diagnoses were ascertained in 66 adolescents consecutively admitted to an acute adolescent unit in Australia. Hallucinations were examined to compare their phenomenology in PTSD with psychotic disorder. Results: On most measures, hallucinations did not differ significantly in form or content between those adolescents with PTSD and those with psychotic disorder. In a minority of patients with PTSD, the hallucinations reflected a previous traumatic experience. Conclusions: Hallucinations were found to be unreliable in distinguishing adolescent inpatients with PTSD from those with psychotic disorder.