Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Birth of Opera.

Important study of early history of Opera - distinguished author well known through teaching and articles "The Birth of Opera" deals with the predecessors and early speciments of opera from Poliziano's "Orfeo" (c. 1480) to Monteverdi's "Arianna" (1608). It pays considerable attention to the role played by such poets as Poliziano, Tasso, Guarini, Rinuccini, and Chiabrera and the conventions that gradually developed for shaping the dramatic plot with regard to operatic structure, in particular the problem of the finale, which required a happy ending, and the inevitable foil preceding it, the expressive solo singing of a lament, which was often accompanied by an echo. The accent is on the early operas of Peri and Monteverdi and their predecessors, the intermedi, but frequent references to later operas by Cavalli, Gluck, Mozart, Verdi, and Stravinsky relate the origins of the genre to its essence through the centuries. In particuar, the enduring fascination with the Orpheus myth, from ancient Greece to Haydn and Stravinsky, is explored in greater detail than in most histories of early opera. List of tables; list of music examples; list of abbreviations.
Factors at admission associated with bleeding risk in medical patients: findings from the IMPROVE investigators.

BACKGROUND Acutely ill, hospitalized medical patients are at risk of VTE. Despite guidelines for VTE prevention, prophylaxis use in these patients is still poor, possibly because of fear of bleeding risk. We used data from the International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) to assess in-hospital bleeding incidence and to identify risk factors at admission associated with in-hospital bleeding risk in acutely ill medical patients. METHODS IMPROVE is a multinational, observational study that enrolled 15,156 medical patients. The in-hospital bleeding incidence was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. A multiple regression model analysis was performed to identify risk factors at admission associated with bleeding. RESULTS The cumulative incidence of major and nonmajor in-hospital bleeding within 14 days of admission was 3.2%. Active gastroduodenal ulcer (OR, 4.15; 95% CI, 2.21-7.77), prior bleeding (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.21-5.99), and low platelet count (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.84-6.18) were the strongest independent risk factors at admission for bleeding. Other bleeding risk factors were increased age, hepatic or renal failure, ICU stay, central venous catheter, rheumatic disease, cancer, and male sex. Using these bleeding risk factors, a risk score was developed to estimate bleeding risk. CONCLUSIONS We assessed the incidence of major and clinically relevant bleeding in a large population of hospitalized medical patients and identified risk factors at admission associated with in-hospital bleeding. This information may assist physicians in deciding whether to use mechanical or pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis.
The MET3 promoter: a new tool for Candida albicans molecular genetics

A central technique used to investigate the role of a Candida albicans gene is to study the phenotype of a cell in which both copies of the gene have been deleted. To date, such investigations can only be undertaken if the gene is not essential. We describe the use of the Candida albicans MET3 promoter to express conditionally an essential gene, so that the consequences of depletion of the gene product may be investigated. The effects of environmental conditions on its expression were investigated, using GFP as a reporter gene. The promoter showed an ≈85‐fold range of expression, according to the presence or absence of either methionine or cysteine in concentrations in excess of 1 mM. In the presence of either amino acid, expression was reduced to levels that were close to background. We used URA3 as a model to demonstrate that the MET3 promoter could control the expression of an essential gene, provided that a mixture of both methionine and cysteine was used to repress the promoter. We describe an expression vector that may be used to express any gene under the control of the MET3 promoter and a vector that may be used to disrupt a gene and simultaneously place an intact copy under the control of the MET3 promoter. During the course of these experiments, we discovered that directed integration into the RP10 locus gives a high frequency of transformation, providing a means to solve a long‐standing problem in this field.
Zn2+‐induced ERK activation mediated by reactive oxygen species causes cell death in differentiated PC12 cells

Recent studies have provided evidence that Zn2+ plays a crucial role in ischemia‐ and seizure‐induced neuronal death. However, the intracellular signaling pathways involved in Zn2+‐induced cell death are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the roles of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), and of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Zn2+‐induced cell death using differentiated PC12 cells. Intracellular accumulation of Zn2+ induced by the combined application of pyrithione (5 µm), a Zn2+ ionophore, and Zn2+ (10 µm) caused cell death and activated JNK and ERK, but not p38 MAPK. Preventing JNK activation by the expression of dominant negative SEK1 (SEKAL) did not attenuate Zn2+‐induced cell death, whereas the inhibition of ERK with PD98059 and the expression of dominant negative Ras mutant (RasN17) significantly prevented cell death. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase had little effect on Zn2+‐induced ERK activation. Intracellular Zn2+ accumulation resulted in the generation of ROS, and antioxidants prevented both the ERK activation and the cell death induced by Zn2+. Therefore, we conclude that although Zn2+ activates JNK and ERK, only ERK contributes to Zn2+‐induced cell death, and that ERK activation is mediated by ROS via the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) July 2009 CONSTRUCTING A SITUATION SENSITIVE METHODOLOGY FOR BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION

For the implementation of different types of Information Systems in general and Business Process Management Systems in particular many approaches are available. However most of the existing methods, frameworks, roadmaps etc. take a one-size fits all view on the implementation project and do not consider the specific situation at hand. In our opinion the context strongly determines the success of an implementation project. In this paper a method is provided for the implementation of Business Process Management Systems that is based on critical success factors that are known to influence the implementation success. The provided method should improve the chance of a successful implementation project, as the project team can create a situation specific methodology to implement a business process management system.
Adopting the Bottom-up Approach and Cluster Analysis on North American and European Male Serial Killers: A Follow-up Study

This study explores the application of the FBI’s organiseddisorganised classification to North-American and European male serial killers. Adopting the same method as Taylor, Lambeth, Green, Bone and Cahillane’s 2012 study, 52 crime scene criteria were used to categorise the murders committed by 25 male European and 25 male North-American serial killers. Applying content analysis, murders committed were dichotomously coded for the presence or absence of crime scene criteria using numerous secondary sources. Two separate agglomerative hierarchical cluster analyses using Ward’s method as the clustering algorithm formed two clusters for the North-American and two for the European serial killers. There were differences in the crime scene criteria for clusters between North-American and European serial murders. The ‘bottom-up’ approach resulted in clusters from the crime scene criteria demonstrating that there are problems associated with classifying traits as simply organised and disorganised. All clusters comprised of a degree of core organised traits -consistent with Canter, Alison, Alison and Wentink’s (2004) assumption that all serial killings require a degree of organisation. Further examination of frequency of occurrence measures suggests there are subtle but inherent differences between the MO of North American and European
Using Concrete Syntax in Graph-based Model Transformations

The emergence of large and complex software systems increases the interest in model-driven engineering, as a way to lower the cost of development and maintenance of software. Models allow us to hide irrelevant details, provide different model viewpoints, and isolate and modularize models of cross-cutting concerns of a system. The emerging technologies for aspectoriented modeling and weaving provide a systematic way to handle cross-cutting concerns at the modeling level. The success of model-driven engineering relies heavily on model transformations. This thesis describes how aspect-oriented modeling and many typical model transformations can be defined as aspects/rules that: (1) use the concrete syntax of the involved modeling languages, and (2) use graph transformation principles as its foundation. The thesis presents two main results. The first main result is an aspect language for UML 2 sequence diagrams. The language takes advantage of a formal model for sequence diagrams, which makes the matching and weaving process semantics-based. For this language we provide a confluence theory. The second main result is an approach to define many typical model transformations as graph transformations, where the transformation designer uses the concrete syntax of the involved modeling languages. Some typical model transformation examples are illustrated in this thesis, i.e. transformation from feature models to BPMN, UML activity diagram aspects, UML activity diagram refactoring, UML state machine refactoring, transformation from sequence diagrams to state machines, and transformations involving Petri nets. A collection operator has been introduced as a means to match and transform collections of similar subgraphs in graph transformations, using either concrete or abstract syntax. This allows for improved usability in transformations that would otherwise be complex or impractical to specify.
Eye enucleation alters intracellular distribution of NO synthase in the superior colliculus

WE investigated the role of retinotectal projections on the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the retinoceptive layers of the rat superior colliculus (SC) using histochemical methods. Rats enucleated at birth showed no alteration in the temporal pattern of NOS expression. There was, however, a dramatic change in the NADPH-diaphorase staining pattern of NOS-positive cells. NOS was absent from the distal portions of the dendritic trees of the deafferented SC. Nevertheless, staining the dendritic trees of these cells with Lucifer yellow showed that they were not morphologically different from those of the ipsilateral SC of monoenucleated animals. The same results were obtained when enucleation was performed in adult rats. We conclude that NOS intracellular distribution in the SC cells can be regulated by retinotectal projections in both developing and adult animals.
The impact of representative payee services on medication adherence among unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT Rates of viral suppression among people living with HIV/AIDS remain low, especially within marginalized populations such as people who are unstably housed. Representative payee is a service in which the US Social Security Administration appoints an individual or an organization to provide financial management for vulnerable individuals who are unable to manage their finances including housing payments. Little or no published research examines the association between financial management services such as representative payee and HIV clinical adherence. We conducted a pilot study with 18 unstably housed participants living with HIV/AIDS to examine the impact of representative payee services on viral suppression. Of the 11 participants who were not virally suppressed at baseline, 9 (81.8%) of them had achieved viral suppression at six-month follow-up (p = .004). Our findings suggest that providing unstably housed people living with HIV/AIDS with representative payee services may help them to improve their housing stability and clinical adherence. Additional research is needed to fully explore correlations between representative payee services and viral suppression.
Prospective evaluation of droperidol on sphincter of Oddi motility.

BACKGROUND Droperidol increasingly is used as an effective adjunct for conscious sedation during endoscopic procedures. Given the concern for the effects of narcotics and benzodiazepines on sphincter of Oddi motility, and the potential difficulty in sedating patients undergoing sphincter of Oddi manometry, droperidol could be an ideal agent in this setting. METHODS Over a 43-month period, consecutive patients undergoing sphincter of Oddi manometry were studied prospectively. Sphincter of Oddi manometry was performed under general anesthesia in all but 10 patients. Standard retrograde pull-through techniques were used to examine the biliary and/or pancreatic sphincter, depending on the indication for sphincter of Oddi manometry. After the initial two pull-throughs, 5 mg of droperidol were given intravenously and measurements were repeated 5 minutes later. RESULTS A total of 55 patients were studied (42 women [76%], 13 men; mean age 43 years). The basal biliary sphincter pressures measured in 35 patients before and after droperidol were, respectively, 56 mm Hg and 48 mm Hg (p = 0.02); the basal pancreatic sphincter pressures measured in 22 patients before and after droperidol were, respectively, 92 mm Hg and 67 mm Hg (p = 0.29). By using a definition for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of a basal pressure greater than 40 mm Hg, droperidol would have resulted in a change in diagnosis in 5 patients undergoing biliary manometry (one misclassified as sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, 4 misclassified as normal), and 6 patients undergoing pancreatic sphincter manometry (5 misclassified as sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, one misclassified as normal) (total 19% of procedures). No complication was associated with droperidol use. CONCLUSIONS Droperidol alters basal sphincter pressures, which in some patients was clinically significant and would have resulted in misclassification. Although safe and well tolerated, droperidol appears to have subtle but clinically significant effects on the sphincter of Oddi.
Using information content and base frequencies to distinguish mutations from genetic polymorphisms in splice junction recognition sites

Predicting the effects of nucleotide substitutions in human splice sites has been based on analysis of consensus sequences. We used a graphic representation of sequence conservation and base frequency, the sequence logo, to demonstrate that a change in a splice acceptor of hMSH2 (a gene associated with familial nonpolyposis colon cancer) probably does not reduce splicing efficiency. This confirms a population genetic study that suggested that this substitution is a genetic polymorphism. The information theory‐based sequence logo is quantitative and more sensitive than the corresponding splice acceptor consensus sequence for detection of true mutations. Information analysis may potentially be used to distinguish polymorphisms from mutations in other types of transcriptional, translational, or protein‐coding motifs. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the coppertail skink (Ctenotus taeniolatus)

We report on the isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite markers for the coppertail skink (Ctenotus taeniolatus). From a sample of 27 individuals, the number of alleles per locus ranged from seven to 13 and observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.714 to 0.818 and from 0.738 to 0.899, respectively. These loci will be used to assess anthropogenic disturbance on coppertail skink populations. These are the first microsatellites reported for the genus Ctenotus, despite being the most speciose genus of lizards in Australia.
The Federal regulation of medical devices.

BEFORE 1976, medical devices could be marketed without review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Periodic attempts to regulate some devices as drugs for which the agency did require premarketing clearance proved to be cumbersome and inadequate. Spurred by the increased technological complexity of devices and mounting disclosures of shortcomings involving pacemakers, intrauterine devices, and intraocular lenses, Congress enacted the comprehensive Medical Device Amendments of 1976 to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.1 2 3 4 The primary purpose of the amendments was to ensure that new devices were safe and effective before they were marketed. In the past few .
Optimal resources for the examination and endovascular treatment of the peripheral and visceral vascular systems. AHA Intercouncil report on peripheral and visceral angiographic and interventional laboratories.

In 1969 the Intersociety Commission for Heart Disease Resources was established through a contract with the American Heart Association under Public Law 89-239. Its responsibility was to produce guidelines defining optimal medical resources and care for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, including guidelines for radiologic facilities (1). This resource guideline was revised in 1976 (2) and again in 1983 (3). The Intersociety Commission was disbanded shortly thereafter, but a joint ad hoc task force of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology continued this work with “Guidelines for Cardiac Catheterization and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories” (4), published in 1991. The task force concluded that “. while noncardiac diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are growing in number . guidelines for these services are beyond the scope of this document. ” These documents have charted the evolution of cardiac catheterization from a procedure performed in a few highly specialized laboratories for cardiovascular research to one performed in a number of interventional cardiac laboratories. The documents also have provided useful optimal resource guidelines. In the 1983 report similar standards for angiographic facilities were implied but never specifically stated, with the emphasis always on the heart. Nevertheless, the report mentioned angiographic facilities and considerable involvement by radiologists. Just as cardiac catheterization has evolved, so too have peripheral and visceral angiography. Diagnostic angiography proliferated in the 1960s and the 1970s, and interventional radiology emerged in the 1980s. Nevertheless, optimal resource standards have never been promulgated except in an abbreviated form (5). In 1989 the Council Affairs Committee of the AHA approved the formation of a committee on peripheral vascular disease under the auspices of the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology. In 1992 an ad hoc task force was created, with members from the Councils on Cardiovascular Radiology, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Clinical Cardiology, and Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, to develop guidelines for peripheral and visceral angiographic and interventional laboratories. Task force members are Eric C. Martin, MD, chair; William J. Casarella, MD (Council on Cardiovascular Radiology); Barry T. Katzen, MD (Council on Cardiovascular Radiology); Gerald M. Dorros, MD (Council on Clinical Cardiology); Gary S. Roubin, MD (Council on Clinical Cardiology); James A. DeWeese, MD (Council on Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery); and John H. Laragh, MD (Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease). The task force is grateful for the contributions of the following consultants: John F. Cardella, MD; Joel E. Gray, PhD; Victoria M. Marx, MD; Edward L. Nickoloff, ScD; Michael J. Pentecost, MD; and David C. Levin, MD.
Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Biosensors for Cancer Diagnosis

The monitoring of DNA and RNA biomarkers freely circulating in the blood constitutes the basis of innovative cancer detection methods based on liquid biopsy. Such methods are expected to provide new opportunities for a better understanding of cancer disease at the molecular level, thus contributing to improved patient outcomes. Advanced biosensors can advance possibilities for cancer-related nucleic acid biomarkers detection. In this context, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) play an important role in the fabrication of highly sensitive biosensors. This review provides an overview of recently described PNA-based biosensors for cancer biomarker detection. One of the most striking features of the described detection approaches is represented by the possibility to detect target nucleic acids at the ultra-low concentration with the capability to identify single-base mutations.
Separate elements control DJ and VDJ rearrangement in a transgenic recombination substrate.

We describe transgenic mice that carry an antigen receptor gene minilocus comprised of germline T cell receptor (TCR) beta variable gene elements (V, D and J) linked to an immunoglobulin (Ig) C mu constant region gene with or without a DNA segment containing the Ig heavy chain transcriptional enhancer (E mu). Transgenic constructs lacking the E mu‐containing segment did not undergo detectable rearrangement in any tissue of six independent transgenic lines. In contrast, transgenic constructs containing this DNA segment underwent rearrangement at high frequency in lymphoid tissues, but not other tissues, of four independent lines. Analyses of purified B and T cells, as well as B and T cell lines, from transgenic animals demonstrated that the E mu‐containing segment within the construct allowed partial TCR gene assembly (D to J) in both B and T cells. However, complete TCR gene rearrangement within the construct (V to DJ) occurred only in T cells. Therefore, we have demonstrated elements that can control two separate aspects of TCR beta VDJ rearrangement within this construct. One lies within the E mu‐containing DNA segment and represents a dominant, cis‐acting element that initiates lymphoid cell‐specific D beta to J beta rearrangement; various considerations suggest this activity may be related to that of the E mu element. The second element provides T cell‐specific control of complete (V beta to DJ beta) variable region gene assembly; it correlates in activity with expression of the unrearranged V beta segment.
Skeletonization and segmentation for single corn using terrestrial LiDAR data

Ground-based leaf area and leaf direction measurements are crucial for remote sensing validation of Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Leaf Angle Distribution (LAD) products. The acquisition of field data is a time-consuming and labor-intensive manual operation. Terrestrial LiDAR (light detection and ranging) has potential to characterize and rebuild the three dimensional structure of vegetation. A method was developed to acquire the skeleton of selected individual corn using terrestrial LiDAR data. Individual leaf was segmented according to classified skeleton. Then we extracted the structure parameters including the leaf length and width, leaf area, leaf inclination angle for each segmented single leaf. Although the terrestrial LiDAR data which came from an individual corn are unable separated from other corn automatically, it could estimate structure parameters such as location, height, and leaf inclination angle of corn and replace part of manual measurement automatically.