Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BOA: A novel optimization algorithm

In this paper, a novel algorithm for multimodal function optimization is proposed, which is called Base Optimization Algorithm (BOA). The proposed algorithm uses a combination of basic arithmetic operators along with a displacement parameter to guide and redirect the solutions towards the optimum point. The efficiency of the new algorithm is demonstrated using standard benchmark functions. A comparison of the results with those of other evolutionary algorithms shows that the proposed algorithm outperforms its competitors.
Psychological Findings in Preterm Children Related to Neurologic Status and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective. Preterm children experience learning disabilities more often than full-term children, but detailed information on their neuropsychological and neurologic determinants is lacking. We therefore examined these problems more closely and also studied if clinical neurologic examination and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as tools to screen the preterm children at risk for these problems. Methods. In a population-based study, the psychological performance of 42 preterm children with a birth weight <1750 g and of their matched controls was assessed at 8 years of age and the findings were then related to clinical neurologic examination and MRI. Learning disabilities of these children, reported by the teachers, were also studied. Results. The cognitive ability of the preterm children, although in the normal range, was significantly lower than that of the control children. They performed particularly poorly in tasks requiring spatial and visuoperceptual abilities, which were associated with the finding of periventricular leukomalacia in MRI, especially with posterior ventricular enlargement. The preterm children with minor neurodevelopmental dysfunction (MND) had the most problems in neuropsychological tests, whereas the clinically healthy preterm children and those with cerebral palsy had fewer problems. The problems of MND children emerged in the domain of attention. They also experienced the most problems at school. Conclusions. Visuospatial problems were associated with periventricular leukomalacia in MRI, but learning disabilities were most frequent among the preterm children with minor neurologic abnormalities. We recommend closer follow-up of preterm children with MND.
Accurate and rapid prenatal diagnosis of the most frequent East Mediterranean β‐thalassemia mutations

β‐Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder in the Lebanese population. Of the 200 different mutations in the β‐globin gene that leads to thalassemia, the IVSI‐110 (29.87%), IVSI‐6 (20.74%), IVSI‐1 (14.07%), IVSII‐1 (9.13%), Cd29 (9.13%), and Cd30 (3.95%) mutations are the most frequent among Lebanese thalassemic patients. These mutations are also present at high frequencies in the East Mediterranean region. Due to this high prevalence of certain β‐thalassemia mutations, a rapid technique for the prenatal diagnosis of these mutations was implemented. The technique used is based on Real‐Time PCR quantification and melting curve analysis of the amplified fragment using the LightCycler. The DNA samples used for amplification were obtained from CVS or amniotic fluid. Six mutations were easily and efficiently detected using only 3 sets of probes. With this method, mutant genotypes can be easily distinguished from normal alleles. In prenatal diagnosis, the accuracy and the speed of testing are paramount. The method of prenatal β‐thalassemia mutations detection described here is efficient and fast, with the entire procedure including DNA preparation taking less than half a workday. It is safe, does not involve radioactivity, and is accurate showing 100% concordance with conventional DNA sequencing methods. Am. J. Hematol. 75:220–224, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urologic malignancies in kidney transplantation

With advances in immunosuppression, graft and patient outcomes after kidney transplantation have improved considerably. As a result, long‐term complications of transplantation, such as urologic malignancies, have become increasingly important. Kidney transplant recipients, for example, have a 7‐fold risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 3‐fold risk of urothelial carcinoma (UC) compared with the general population. While extrapolation of data from the general population suggest that routine cancer screening in transplant recipients would allow for earlier diagnosis and management of these potentially lethal malignancies, currently there is no consensus for posttransplantation RCC or UC screening as supporting data are limited. Further understanding of risk factors, presentation, optimal management of, and screening for urologic malignancies in kidney transplant patients is warranted, and as such, this review will focus on the incidence, surveillance, and treatment of urologic malignancies in kidney transplant recipients.
WSN4QoL: WSNs for remote patient monitoring in e-Health applications

Contemporary technologies as implemented in the field of healthcare have provided the everyday clinical practice with a plethora of tools to be used in various settings. In this field, distributed and networked embedded systems, such as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), are the most promising technology to achieve continuous monitoring of aged people for their own safety, without affecting their daily activities. WSN4QoL is a Marie Curie project involving academic and industrial partners from three EU countries, which aims to show how new WSNs-based technologies suit the specific requirements of pervasive healthcare applications. In particular, in this paper, the WSN4QoL's system architecture is presented as designed to exploit the Network Coding (NC) mechanisms to achieve energy efficiency in the wireless communications and distributed positioning solutions to locate patients in indoor home environments. The system has been validated through experimental activities using commercial off the shelf (COTS) WSN testbeds and medical devices prototypes offered by a commercial partner. Results demonstrate that NC helps in achieving substantial gains in terms of energy efficiency as compared to traditional relay mechanisms, while the proposed positioning solution is able to locate people in indoor environments at a sub-room accuracy level, without requiring any extra dedicated hardware.
The Reciprocal Interaction of NK Cells with Plasmacytoid or Myeloid Dendritic Cells Profoundly Affects Innate Resistance Functions1

A reciprocal activating interaction between NK cells and dendritic cells (DC) has been suggested to play a role in the functional regulation of these cells in immunity, but it has been studied only using in vitro generated bone marrow- or monocyte-derived DC. We report that human peripheral blood plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and myeloid DC are necessary to induce NK cell function depending on the type of microbial stimulus. pDC and myeloid DC are required for strongly increased NK cytolytic activity and CD69 expression, in response to inactivated influenza virus or CpG-containing oligonucleotides and poly(I:C), respectively. Secreted type I IFN is required and sufficient for the augmentation of NK cell cytolytic activity in the coculture with pDC or myeloid DC, whereas CD69 expression is dependent on both type I IFN and TNF. In addition, in response to poly(I:C), myeloid DC induce NK cells to produce IFN-γ through a mechanism dependent on both IL-12 secretion and cell contact between NK cells and myeloid DC, but independent of type I IFN. IL-2-activated NK cells have little to no cytolytic activity for immature myeloid DC and pDC, but are able to induce maturation of these cells. Moreover, IL-2-activated NK cells induce, in the presence of a suboptimal concentration of CpG-containing oligonucleotides, a strong IFN-α and TNF production. These data suggest that the reciprocal functional interaction between NK cells and either pDC or myeloid DC may play an important physiological role in the regulation of both innate resistance and adaptive immunity to infections.
Fraud detection system for high and low voltage electricity consumers based on data mining

This work presents two computational system for fraud detection for both high and low voltage electrical energy consumers based on data mining. This two kinds of consumers demanded different approaches and methodologies. The first is based on SOM (Self-Organizing Maps), which allows the identification of the consumption profile historically registered for a consumer, and its comparison with present behavior. The second is based on a hybrid of data mining techniques. From the consumer behavior pre-analysis, electrical energy companies will better direct its inspections and will reach higher rates of correctness. The validation and results showed that the two systems are efficient on the cases of lower consumption resulted by fraud.
Does Aluminium Bind to Histidine? An NMR Investigation of Amyloid β12 and Amyloid β16 Fragments

Aluminium and zinc are known to be the major triggering agents for aggregation of amyloid peptides leading to plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease. While zinc binding to histidine in Aβ (amyloid β) fragments has been implicated as responsible for aggregation, not much information is available on the interaction of aluminium with histidine. In the NMR study of the N‐terminal Aβ fragments, DAEFRHDSGYEV (Aβ12) and DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQK (Aβ16) presented here, the interactions of the fragments with aluminium have been investigated. Significant chemical shifts were observed for few residues near the C‐terminus when aluminium chloride was titrated with Aβ12 and Aβ16 peptides. Surprisingly, it is nonhistidine residues which seem to be involved in aluminium binding. Based on NMR constrained structure obtained by molecular modelling, aluminium‐binding pockets in Aβ12 were around charged residues such as Asp, Glu. The results are discussed in terms of native structure propagation, and the relevance of histidine residues in the sequences for metal‐binding interactions. We expect that the study of such short amyloid peptide fragments will not only provide clues for plaque formation in aggregated conditions but also facilitate design of potential drugs for these targets.
An efficient discontinuous pulse width modulation algorithm for multileg voltage-source converters

This paper presents a scalable and effective discontinuous pulse width modulation algorithm for multileg converters. The method can also be used in three- and four-leg voltage-source converters, though its simplicity in comparison to so called vector modulators shows up clearly in systems with more than three legs. Some similarities between vector and sinusoidal modulations are discussed and issues regarding naming these methods are raised. Numerical simulation test results are presented.
Comparison of the EuroQOL-5D With the Oswestry Disability Index, Back and Leg Pain Scores in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Spine Pathology

Study Design. Cross-sectional study. Objective. To evaluate the response behavior of EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D) compared with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and back and leg pain scores. Summary of Background Data. Recent changes in policies have highlighted the need for demonstration of both quality and cost effectiveness. In an effort to meet these requirements, surgeons are collecting health-related quality of life and utility data. Unfortunately, the burden of extensive data collection on both physician and patient is considerable. The EQ-5D is a commonly used, easily administered, brief utility measure that can provide both clinical and utility data. The EQ-5D has not yet been validated in spine patients in comparison with established outcome measures. Methods. EQ-5D, ODI, back and leg pain (0–10) scores were collected as part of standard clinical practice. Spearman rank correlations between the ODI, back and leg pain scores, and the EQ-5D were determined. A subanalysis to determine dimension-specific effects was done. Data were categorized by level of low back disability and level of back and leg pain. Results. Data from 8385 patients (5046 females, 3339 males), mean age 52 (range, 18–96) were analyzed. There was a strong correlation between EQ-5D and ODI (r = −0.776) and between EQ-5D and back pain (r = −0.648); and moderate correlation between EQ-5D and leg pain scores (r = −0.538). Increasing disability, as measured by ODI, lead to lower EQ-5D scores, with similar response behavior for both back and leg pain scores. All correlations were statistically significant at P < 0.0001. Conclusion. The EQ-5D correlated well with established spine outcome measures, including ODI, and back and leg pain scores. EQ-5D correlated best with ODI scores. Correlation with back pain was stronger than leg pain, but all correlations were relatively strong. The EQ-5D can serve spine surgeons as an effective measure of clinical outcome and health utility for economic analysis.
The Ideological Presidency: Individual Power and the Post-Modern Presidents

Presidency scholars have advanced three typologies to explain the evolution of the executive office. The constitutional school describes the traditional power balance between the legislature and executive. The rhetorical school argues that presidents have sought to place themselves as the head of government through direct popular appeals. The modern paradigm suggests that presidents have centralized their authority to realize their agenda. Each subsequent explanation partially explains current executive action, yet neither can fully account for contemporary presidential politics. We offer a fourth classification that adds a realistic measure to presidential action since the Regan era: ideology. Features include: increased instances of individual executive actions, a resistance to bargaining outside the president’s ideological coalition, and a legislative agenda that focuses on the extremes at the expense of bipartisanship. Employing presidential support scores from Wilson to Obama, both in aggregate and at the individual House member level, we use a time series model to suggest that contemporary presidential power has evolved from bargaining across coalitional boundaries to one based on ideological attachment. We suggest that while the contemporary president makes decisions on its ideological position an administration’s use of ideology depends on the size of his ideological coalition.
Relationship Between Nonprescribed Therapy Use for Illness Prevention and Health Promotion and Health-Related Quality of Life

Objectives: This study describes the nonprescribed therapy use (prayer, over-the-counter medications [OTC’s], home remedies, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and exercise) for health promotion among rural elders. It also delineates the association of such therapy use with physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method: The sample (N = 200) consisted of African American and White elders from south-central North Carolina. Participants completed baseline interviews and repeated measures of nonprescribed therapy use over a 6-month follow-up. Results: Prayer had the highest percentage (80.7%) of use for health promotion followed by OTC (54.3%); vitamins only (49.3%); herbs and supplements (40.5%); exercise (31.9%); and home remedies (5.2%). Exercise was significantly associated with better physical HRQoL (p < .05). However, elders who used nonprescribed therapies had poorer mental HRQoL than nonusers, adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion: This analysis suggests that use of some nonprescribed therapies for health promotion is associated with poorer mental HRQoL.
Excitatory and Inhibitory Modulation of Taste Responses in the Hamster Brainstem a

ABSTRACT: The rostral portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) contains second‐order gustatory neurons, sends projections to the parabrachial complex and brainstem reticular formation, and receives descending projections from several nuclei of the ascending gustatory pathway. Electrophysiological responses of NST neurons can be modulated by several factors, including blood glucose and insulin levels and taste aversion conditioning. We are using extracellular electrophysiological recording in vivo, combined with local microinjection of neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists, to study the mechanisms by which taste responses of cells in the hamster NST can be modulated. Afferent fibers of the chorda tympani (CT) nerve make excitatory synaptic contact with NST neurons; this excitation is probably mediated by the excitatory amino acid glutamate. Microinjection of kynurenic acid, a nonspecific glutamate receptor antagonist, into the NST completely and reversibly blocks afferent input from the CT nerve, produced by either anodal electrical or chemical stimulation of the anterior tongue. The non‐NMDA ((RS)‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate) receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2, 3‐dione (CNQX) also completely blocks gustatory input to these cells, whereas the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonist dl‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovalerate (APV) produces only a small effect. There are many γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐containing neurons within the NST and taste‐responsive NST cells are maintained under a tonic GABAergic inhibition. Microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide increases the taste responsiveness of NST neurons, whereas application of GABA inhibits taste responses in these cells. Preliminary data show that GABAergic inhibition can be produced by stimulation of the gustatory cortex. There are both intrinsic substance P (SP)‐containing neurons and extrinsic SP‐immunoreactive fibers in the rostral NST. Microinjection of SP into the NST enhances the responses of many NST cells to gustatory stimulation; NaCl‐best neurons are preferentially excited by SP.
Radio Resource Allocation for Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) Networks Using Matching Theory

In this paper, we study the resource allocation and scheduling problem for a downlink non- orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network where the base station (BS) allocates the spectrum resources and power to the set of users. We aim to optimize the sub-channel assignment and power allocation to achieve a balance between the number of scheduled users and total sum-rate maximization. To solve the above problem, we propose a many-to-many two-sided user-subchannel matching algorithm in which the set of users and sub-channels are considered as two sets of players pursuing their own interests. The algorithm converges to a pair-wise stable matching after a limited number of iterations. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can approach the performance of the upper bound and greatly outperforms the OFDMA scheme.
Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation

ABSTRACT To determine the effects of a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps militaris on high-intensity exercise after 1 and 3 weeks of supplementation. Twenty-eight individuals (Mean ± standard deviation [SD]; Age = 22.7 ± 4.1 yrs; Height = 175.4 ± 8.7 cm; Weight = 71.6 ± 12.0 kg) participated in this randomized, repeated measures, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), time to exhaustion (TTE), and ventilatory threshold (VT) were measured during a maximal graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Relative peak power output (RPP), average power output (AvgP), and percent drop (%drop) were recorded during a 3 minute maximal cycle test with resistance at 4.5% body weight. Subjects consumed 4 g·d−1 mushroom blend (MR) or maltodextrin (PL) for 1 week. Ten volunteers supplemented for an additional 2 weeks. Exercise tests were separated by at least 48 hours and repeated following supplementation periods. One week of supplementation elicited no significant time × treatment interaction for VO2max (p = 0.364), VT (p = 0.514), TTE (p = 0.540), RPP (p = 0.134), AvgP (p = 0.398), or %drop (p = 0.823). After 3 weeks, VO2max significantly improved (p = 0.042) in MR (+4.8 ml·kg−1·min−1), but not PL (+0.9 ml·kg−1·min−1). Analysis of 95% confidence intervals revealed significant improvements in TTE after 1- (+28.1 s) and 3 weeks (+69.8 s) in MR, but not PL, with additional improvements in VO2max (+4.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) and VT (+0.7 l·min−1) after 3 weeks. Acute supplementation with a Cordyceps militaris containing mushroom blend may improve tolerance to high-intensity exercise; greater benefits may be elicited with consistent chronic supplementation.
Hopelessness as a Risk Factor for Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Interpersonal Violence Survivors

Post‐traumatic stress disorder often co‐occurs with depression, and they may share common risk factors. One possible common cognitive risk factor is hopelessness. Thus, we examined whether hopelessness was related to symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder. Participants were 202 female survivors of interpersonal violence. Relationships between self‐reported and interviewer‐rated measures of hopelessness gathered at 2 weeks post‐trauma and self‐reported and interviewer‐rated symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder gathered at 2 weeks and 3 months post‐trauma were examined. Hierarchical, simultaneous regression analyses that co‐varied trauma type revealed that hopelessness was related to self‐reported symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder, both concurrently and prospectively. Follow‐up analyses revealed that relationships between hopelessness and symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder were due almost entirely to shared variance with depression. No relationships were found between hopelessness and interviewer‐rated symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder.
Extracellular ATP inhibits chloride channels in mature mammalian skeletal muscle by activating P2Y1 receptors

ATP is released from skeletal muscle during exercise, a discovery dating back to 1969. Surprisingly, few studies have examined the effects of extracellular ATP on mature mammalian skeletal muscle. This electrophysiological study examined the effects of extracellular ATP on fully innervated rat levator auris longus using two intracellular microelectrodes. The effects of ATP were determined by measuring the relative changes of miniature endplate potentials (mEPPs) and voltage responses to step current pulses in individual muscle fibres. Exposure to ATP (20 μ m) prolonged the mEPP falling phase by 31 ± 7.5% (values ±s.d., n= 3 fibres). Concurrently, the input resistance increased by 31 ± 2.0% and the time course of the voltage responses increased by 59 ± 3.0%. Analogous effects were observed using 2 and 5 μmATP, and on regions distal from the neuromuscular junction, indicating that physiologically relevant levels of ATP enhanced electrical signalling over the entire muscle fibre. The effects of extracellular ATP were blocked by 200 μmanthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid, a chloride channel inhibitor, and reduced concentrations of extracellular chloride, indicating that ATP inhibited chloride channels. A high affinity agonist for P2Y receptors, 2‐methylthioadenosine‐5′‐O‐diphosphate (2MeSADP), induced similar effects to ATP with an EC50 of 160 ± 30 nm. The effects of 250 nm2MeSADP were blocked by 500 nmMRS2179, a specific P2Y1 receptor inhibitor, suggesting that ATP acts on P2Y1 receptors to inhibit chloride channels. The inhibition of chloride channels by extracellular ATP has implications for muscle excitability and fatigue, and the pathophysiology of myotonias.