Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
D-ribose is elevated in T1DM patients and can be involved in the onset of encephalopathy

Although many mechanisms have been proposed for diabetic encephalopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the risk factors for cognitive impairment in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are less clear. Here, we show that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1DM rats showed cognitive impairment in both Y maze and Morris water maze assays, accompanied with D-ribose was significantly increased in blood and urine, in addition to D-glucose. Furthermore, advanced glycation end products (AGE), Tau hyperphosphorylation and neuronal death in the hippocampal CA4/DG region were detected in T1DM rats. The expression and activity of transketolase (TKT), an important enzyme in the pentose shunt, were decreased in the brain, indicating that TKT may be involved in D-ribose metabolism in T1DM. Support for these change was demonstrated by the activation of TKT with benfotiamine (BTMP) treatment. Decreased D-ribose levels but not D-glucose levels; markedly reduced AGE accumulation, Tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuronal death; and improved cognitive ability in T1DM rats were shown after BTMP administration. In clinical investigation, T1DM patients had high D-ribose levels in both urine and serum. Our work suggests that D-ribose is involved in the cognitive impairment in T1DM and may provide a potentially novel target for treating diabetic encephalopathy.
MapReduce-Based Parallel Algorithms for Multidimensionnal Data Analysis

MapReduce has excellent scalability and fault-tolerance mechanism. It fits well with the cheap commodity hardware. Today, using MapReduce to answer data analytical query is an attractive topic. In this work, we introduce Multiple Group-by query processing. Our processing of this query is based on MapReduce model, a new parallel computing model coming from Cloud Computing. A pre-processing phase is performed for fitting MapReduce's data accessing and improving data accessibility. We give different MapReduce job definitions in order to process data set partitioned in different partitioning methods. We evaluate our query's processing on top of a cluster of Grid'5000. We also address performance issues since they are very important in software industry to integrate a new technology. We analyze the measured results and discover several factors which impact the response time. At the end of this work, we propose a new data structure which allows more flexible job-scheduling.
Role of Computers in Educating Young Children: U.S. and Japanese Teachers’ Perspectives

This study was conducted with kindergarten teachers in the United States and Japan with respect to their beliefs about the role of computers in educating young children. Overall findings indicated significant differences in responses of teachers in the two countries. Generally, U.S. teachers had a more positive attitude toward computers in educating young children, while the Japanese teachers had more concerns. The teachers’ own sense of competence with computers was not related to their beliefs about computers and young children in either country. Respondents from both countries identified a lack of resources and clear guidelines for integrating computers in the classroom as challenges. These findings highlighted the need for training of early childhood teachers in integrating and using computers in the classroom.
Circular zymogens of human ribonuclease 1

The endogenous production of enzymes as zymogens provides a means to control catalytic activities. Here, we describe the heterologous production of ribonuclease 1 (RNase 1), which is the most prevalent secretory ribonuclease in humans, as a zymogen. In folded RNase 1, the N and C termini flank the enzymic active site. By using intein‐mediated cis‐splicing, we created circular proteins in which access to the active site of RNase 1 is obstructed by an amino‐acid sequence that is recognized by the HIV‐1 protease. Installing a sequence that does not perturb the RNase 1 fold led to only modest inactivation. In contrast, the ancillary truncation of residues from each terminus led to a substantial decrease in the catalytic activity of the zymogen with the maintenance of thermostability. For optimized zymogens, activation by HIV‐1 protease led to a > 104‐fold increase in ribonucleolytic activity at a rate comparable to that for the cleavage of endogenous viral substrates. Molecular modeling indicated that these zymogens are inactivated by conformational distortion in addition to substrate occlusion. Because protease levels are elevated in many disease states and ribonucleolytic activity can be cytotoxic, RNase 1 zymogens have potential as generalizable prodrugs.
Search for Ultimate Throughput in Ultra-Broadband Photonic Internet

A review of our today’s understanding of the ultimately broadband photonic Internet is presented. A simple calculation is presented showing the estimate of the throughput of the core photonic network branches. Optoelectronic components, circuits, systems and signals, together with analogous electronic entities and common software layers, are building blocks of the contemporary Internet. Participation of photonics in development of the physical layer in the future Internet will probably increase. The photonics leads now to a better usage of the available bandwidth (increase of the spectral efficiency measured in Bit/s/Hz), increase in the transmission rate (from Gbps, via Tbps up to probably Pbps), increase in the transmission distance without signal regeneration (in distortion compensated active optical cables), increase in energy/power efficiency measured in W/Gbps, etc. Photonics may lead, in the future, to fully transparent optical networks and, thus, to essential increase in bandwidth and network reliability. It is expected that photonics (with biochemistry, electronics and mechatronics) may build psychological and physiological interface for humans to the future global network. The following optical signal multiplexing methods were considered, which are possible without O/E/O conversion: TDM-OTDM, FDM-CO-OFDM, OCDM-OCDMA, WDM-DWDM. The Polish perspective closes the review. Keywords—Optical networks, Internet, global network, photonic Internet, future Internet, optoelectronic networks.
Genistein improves the reproductive performance and bone status of breeder hens during the late egg-laying period

Genistein (GEN), a type of soy isoflavones, is similar to estrogen structurally and functionally. The effects of dietary gen on the reproductive performance and bone status of breeder hens were investigated. A total pf 720 laying broiler breeder (LBB) hens were randomly allocated into 3 groups with supplemental dietary GEN doses (0, 40, 400 mg/kg). Each treatment has 8 replicates of 30 birds. The results indicated that supplemental GEN significantly improved the egg production and eggshell strength of LBB hens. Dietary GEN was deposited into the egg yolk, which decreased malonaldehyde in the follicle and egg yolk. The levels of vitellogenin (VTG), progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in the serum of GEN-treated groups were elevated compared with the control group. Furthermore, GEN treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein in the fallopian tube, whereas 40 mg/kg GEN treatment upregulated estrogen receptor α expression. Both the mRNA expression of VTG-II in the liver and mRNA expression of amphiregulin in the fallopian tube were upregulated after 40 and 400 mg/kg GEN treatment. In the 400 mg/kg GEN-treated group, the levels of calcitonin and alkaline phosphatase in the serum were increased compared with the control group, which was consistent with the increased levels of calcium and phosphorus in the tibia. Supplemental GEN (400 mg/kg) improved the tibia strength of LBB hens, whereas 40 mg/kg GEN had better effects on laying performance. In summary, dietary GEN could improve the egg production and quality, as well as the bone status of LBB hens during the late egg-laying period.
Imaging striatal dopamine release using a nongenetically encoded near infrared fluorescent catecholamine nanosensor

A near infrared fluorescent probe enables high spatial resolution imaging of dopamine release in striatal brain tissue. Neuromodulation plays a critical role in brain function in both health and disease, and new tools that capture neuromodulation with high spatial and temporal resolution are needed. Here, we introduce a synthetic catecholamine nanosensor with fluorescent emission in the near infrared range (1000–1300 nm), near infrared catecholamine nanosensor (nIRCat). We demonstrate that nIRCats can be used to measure electrically and optogenetically evoked dopamine release in brain tissue, revealing hotspots with a median size of 2 µm. We also demonstrated that nIRCats are compatible with dopamine pharmacology and show D2 autoreceptor modulation of evoked dopamine release, which varied as a function of initial release magnitude at different hotspots. Together, our data demonstrate that nIRCats and other nanosensors of this class can serve as versatile synthetic optical tools to monitor neuromodulatory neurotransmitter release with high spatial resolution.
Finding a Common Ground: Therapist Responsiveness to Male Clients Who Have Acted Violently Against Their Female Partner

Men in treatment for intimate partner violence (IPV) do often present with problem formulations that do not fit the therapeutic endeavor of personal change and may, therefore, challenge therapists in their effort to build an alliance. However, the therapist’s initial contributions are also likely to influence whether the client finds it worthwhile to become involved in a working alliance. In a qualitative study of the in-session interactions between experienced therapists and men in IPV individual therapy, we looked for variations in therapist responsiveness to the client’s initial invitations to identify whether and, eventually, how the two parties were able to reach common ground for working together. We studied therapist–client interactions in 20 therapy cases, including 10 completed cases with good outcomes and 10 dropout cases. Two sessions during the early phase of the therapy and the final session were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were analyzed following the guidelines of constructivist grounded theory. The analysis revealed three interactional patterns: co-creative exploration, pull-avoid repetitions, and tiptoeing softly around, each of which was associated with a distinctive set of therapist strategies. Clients participating in the co-creative pattern appeared to experience the most successful treatment. Our findings suggest that a model of therapist responses to client invitations is valuable for the conceptualization of the therapeutic alliance during the early sessions of psychotherapy. The findings also highlight the importance of clarifying and expanding upon the client’s personal experience with his abuse to form a viable working alliance.
Draft Genome Sequences of 25 Mycobacterium marinum Strains Isolated from Animals and Environmental Components in Aquaria and an Aquaculture Farm

Mycobacterium marinum is a ubiquitous nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes infections in various animals. Here, we report the annotated draft genome sequences of 25 strains isolated from vertebrates, invertebrates, and environmental components in aquaria and an aquaculture farm in Japan, sampled between 2015 and 2020. ABSTRACT Mycobacterium marinum is a ubiquitous nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes infections in various animals. Here, we report the annotated draft genome sequences of 25 strains isolated from vertebrates, invertebrates, and environmental components in aquaria and an aquaculture farm in Japan, sampled between 2015 and 2020.
Is fasting beneficial for hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel diseases?

Background/Aims Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are usually hospitalized because of aggravated gastrointestinal symptoms. Many clinicians empirically advise these patients to fast once they are admitted. However, there has been no evidence that maintaining a complete bowel rest improves the disease course. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of fasting on disease course in admitted patients with IBD or intestinal Behçet’s disease. Methods A total of 222 patients with IBD or intestinal Behçet’s disease, who were admitted for disease-related symptoms, were retrospectively analyzed. We divided them into 2 groups: fasting group (allowed to take sips of water but no food at the time of admission) and dietary group (received liquid, soft, or general diet). Results On admission, 124 patients (55.9%) started fasting and 98 patients (44.1%) started diet immediately. Among patients hospitalized through the emergency room, a significantly higher proportion underwent fasting (63.7% vs. 21.4%, P<0.001); however, 96.0% of the patients experienced dietary changes. Corticosteroid use (P<0.001; hazard ratio, 2.445; 95% confidence interval, 1.506–3.969) was significantly associated with a reduction in the disease activity score, although there was no significant difference between the fasting group and the dietary group in disease activity reduction (P=0.111) on multivariate analysis. Conclusions In terms of disease activity reduction, there was no significant difference between the fasting and dietary groups in admitted patients with IBD, suggesting that imprudent fasting is not helpful in improving the disease course. Therefore, peroral diet should not be avoided unless not tolerated by the patient.
AC 2007-2282: EVALUATING SUPPORT FOR UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING DEGREE PROGRAMS

A study was undertaken to examine sources of support and challenges to retention of underrepresented women and minorities at Northern Arizona University. The study was evaluative in nature in that it sought to understand how well underrepresented students are being supported to complete their degree programs, and to gain insights into how programs might be enhanced or developed to support these students to degree completion. A mixed-methods research design involving a survey and in-depth interviews of students, faculty and staff yielded several factors that support and challenge students toward degree completion at this institution. Applications to programmatic decision-making are discussed.
The Midway distributed shared memory system

The authors describe the motivation, design, and performance of Midway, a programming system for a distributed shared memory multicomputer (DSM) such as an ATM-based cluster, a CM-5, or a Paragon. Midway supports a novel memory consistency model called entry consistency (EC). EC guarantees that shared data become consistent at a processor when the processor acquires a synchronization object known to guard the data. EC is weaker than other models described in the literature, such as processor consistency and release consistency, but it makes possible higher performance implementations of the underlying consistency protocols. Midway programs are written in C, and the association between synchronization objects and data must be made with explicit annotations. As a result, pure entry consistent programs can require more annotations than programs written to other models. Midway also supports the stronger release consistent and processor consistent models at the granularity of individual data items. <<ETX>>
Physical function‐derived cut‐points for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and dynapenia from the Canadian longitudinal study on aging

Aging is associated with sarcopenia (low muscle mass) and dynapenia (low muscle strength) leading to disability and mortality. Widely used previous cut‐points for sarcopenia were established from dated, small, or pooled cohorts. We aimed to identify cut‐points of low strength as a determinant of impaired physical performance and cut‐points of low appendicular lean mass (ALM) as a predictor of low strength in a single, large, and contemporary cohort of community‐dwelling older adults and compare these criteria with others.
Revisiting a case of difficult airway with a rigid laryngoscope

A cook airway exchange catheter is a long hollow and semirigid catheter which is routinely used for endotracheal tube (ETT) exchange in the intensive care unit setting or even in the operating room in an event of unexpected difficult airway. We describe a novel technique of using an ETT exchanger with the help of a rigid laryngoscope to facilitate intubation as a strategy in a patient with an anticipated difficult airway due to laryngeal cancer presenting as stridor with respiratory distress.
Usefulness of immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair protein and microsatellite instability examination in adenocarcinoma and background endometrium of sporadic endometrial cancer cases

Microsatellite instability (MSI), which reflects loss of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) activity, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MMR proteins are employed as screening examinations for Lynch syndrome (LS). Recent studies revealed that there is a population of MSI‐high tumors in sporadic endometrial cancer (EC). However, MSI data for Japanese EC patients are scarce. Furthermore, sporadic estrogen‐dependent EC (type I) is generally considered to arise from hyperplasia. Because LS is usually associated with type I EC, we hypothesized that MSI might be involved in the oncogenic process in some sporadic EC. We conducted MSI testing to reveal MSI status in sporadic Japanese EC. IHC for MMR proteins was also performed.
Toward accelerated line-of-sight intervisibility calculations using clusters of GPUs

The processing power of graphical processing units in recent years has been increasing at a rate that exceeds the so-called "Moore's Law" for general purpose CPUs, while the prices for these GPUs has dropped precipitously. Beginning in the late 1990's, researchers realized that this enormous processing power could be used to solve problems other than simply image generation. Almost in parallel to these developments, other researchers began using dedicated networks of commodity computers and supporting network hardware to construct low-cost supercomputers (Beowulf clusters) capable of solving particular problems formerly requiring much more expensive proprietary supercomputers. In this paper we examine combining these two concepts with the eventual intention of rapidly accelerating intervisibility calculations for CGF and constructive simulations. We present initial experimental results on the computation time and scalability of using clustered GPUs to calculate intervisibility over densely populated terrain databases. We also discuss intervisibility correlation between CGF and GPU-based approaches, and present an example of differences in intervisibility calculations that are inherent in the different systems.
Comparison of low and high positive end-expiratory pressure during low tidal volume ventilation in robotic gynaecological surgical patients using electrical impedance tomography: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The appropriate level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during intra-operative mechanical ventilation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of PEEP with low tidal volume (low-V T) ventilation in a steep Trendelenburg position (30°) and pneumoperitoneum on oxygenation, respiratory mechanics and ventilation distribution using electrical impedance tomography. DESIGN A randomised controlled trial. SETTING Single university secondary care centre, conducted from January 2017 to December 2017. PATIENTS Forty female patients, aged 20 to 60 years, and of American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) physical status 1 or 2, undergoing elective robotic gynaecological surgery were included. INTERVENTION Forty patients were allocated randomly to a PEEP4 (PEEP 4 cmH2O) group or a PEEP8 (PEEP 8 cmH2O) group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were respiratory mechanics. The secondary outcomes included changes in ventilation distribution across the ventral and dorsal regions of interest and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) using a modified clinical pulmonary infection score. RESULTS There was no difference in PaO2 at any time point. The peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and mean airway pressure (Paw) of the PEEP4 group were lower than those of the PEEP8 group (P < 0.001). The oxygenation factor in the PEEP4 group was higher than that in the PEEP8 group during mechanical ventilation at all times. There was no difference in the fractional distribution of end-expiratory ventilation according to region of interest between the two groups. CONCLUSION Both 4 and 8 cmH2O of PEEP with low-V T ventilation can be used for robotic gynaecological surgery that requires a steep Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. However, 8 cmH2O of PEEP had no benefit over 4 cmH2O of PEEP with respect to oxygenation and improvement of dorsal regional ventilation. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered at the Clinical Trial Registry of Korea (KCT0002255). https://cris.nih. go.kr.
OryzaGP: rice gene and protein dataset for named-entity recognition

Text mining has become an important research method in biology, with its original purpose to extract biological entities, such as genes, proteins and phenotypic traits, to extend knowledge from scientific papers. However, few thorough studies on text mining and application development, for plant molecular biology data, have been performed, especially for rice, resulting in a lack of datasets available to solve named-entity recognition tasks for this species. Since there are rare benchmarks available for rice, we faced various difficulties in exploiting advanced machine learning methods for accurate analysis of the rice literature. To evaluate several approaches to automatically extract information from gene/protein entities, we built a new dataset for rice as a benchmark. This dataset is composed of a set of titles and abstracts, extracted from scientific papers focusing on the rice species, and is downloaded from PubMed. During the 5th Biomedical Linked Annotation Hackathon, a portion of the dataset was uploaded to PubAnnotation for sharing. Our ultimate goal is to offer a shared task of rice gene/protein name recognition through the BioNLP Open Shared Tasks framework using the dataset, to facilitate an open comparison and evaluation of different approaches to the task.
Technologies and applications of Al‐free high‐power laser diodes

We report high‐power technologies in 0.8‐µm Al‐free InGaAsP/InGaP laser diodes. To realize the high‐power operation, the improvement of catastrophic optical mirror damage (COMD) power density level is required. In addition to the use of low surface recombination velocity of Al‐free materials, optimization of waveguide thickness in broad waveguide structure with tensile‐strained barriers and current blocking structure near facets has led to high COMD power density level. Highly stable operation of Al‐free laser diodes with these structures has been obtained over 2500 hours at 2 W from a stripe width of µm. Applications of high‐power laser diodes are also described. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(1): 53–59, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20286