Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric prediction of free-light chain generation in multiple myeloma patients

Abstract Multiple Myeloma is a plasma cell cancer that produces excess Free Light Chains (FLC). Patients with this condition are treated with dialysis and chemotherapy. A previous compartmental model developed by Evans et al. [2006] described the removal of FLC through a hemodialysis membrane. In this model all rate constants were considered linear and the production of FLC a constant input function. It is known that the system rate constants and inputs are non-linear in nature due to the membrane dynamics and the use of chemotherapy to retard the production FLC producing cells. This study describes the use of maximum entropy deconvolution, in conjunction with a non-linear compartmental model, to recreate the FLC production rate in a non-parametric form, without the need for assumptions that are not supported by available data. Input functions are reconstructed from four different patients with a range of dialysis durations and FLC plasma concentrations to investigate the possible effects of chemotherapy on the underlying FLC production.
Antagonizing Scalloped With a Novel Vestigial Construct Reveals an Important Role for Scalloped in Drosophila melanogaster Leg, Eye and Optic Lobe Development

Scalloped (SD), a TEA/ATTS-domain-containing protein, is required for the proper development of Drosophila melanogaster. Despite being expressed in a variety of tissues, most of the work on SD has been restricted to understanding its role and function in patterning the adult wing. To gain a better understanding of its role in development, we generated sd47M flip-in mitotic clones. The mitotic clones had developmental defects in the leg and eye. Further, by removing the VG domains involved in activation, we created a reagent (VGΔACT) that disrupts the ability of SD to form a functional transcription factor complex and produced similar phenotypes to the flip-in mitotic clones. The VGΔACT construct also disrupted adult CNS development. Expression of the VGΔACT construct in the wing alters the cellular localization of VG and produces a mutant phenotype, indicating that the construct is able to antagonize the normal function of the SD/VG complex. Expression of the protein:protein interaction portion of SD is also able to elicit similar phenotypes, suggesting that SD interacts with other cofactors in the leg, eye, and adult CNS. Furthermore, antagonizing SD in larval tissues results in cell death, indicating that SD may also have a role in cell survival.
Cigarette Smoking and Breast Cancer 1

A priori hypotheses suggest that cigarette smoking could either increase or decrease breast cancer incidence. To clarify these competing hypotheses, we used data from a very large population-based breast cancer case-control study to investigate the impact of smoking on breast cancer risk. Breast cancer patients less than 75 years old were identified from statewide tumor registries in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire; controls were randomly selected from driver’s license lists (age less than 65) or lists of Medicare beneficiaries (age 6574). Information on reproductive history, medical history, and personal habits including cigarette smoking was obtained by telephone interview. A total of 6,888 cases and 9,529 controls were interviewed. There was virtually no relationship between current smoking and breast cancer risk (multivariate odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.09), and former smokers had a barely increased risk (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.19). Similar results were observed among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. There was no suggestion that heavy or long-term smoking increased or decreased risk, nor were there indications that women who began smoking at an early age were at increased risk, as has been hypothesized. The results of this large populationbased study indicate that smoking does not influence the risk of breast cancer, even among heavy smokers who began smoking at an early age. Received I 1/3/95: revised 1/23/96; accepted 1/29/96. The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact. Supported by USPHS Grants CA 47147 and CA 47305. 2 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Dartmouth Medical School. 7927 Strasenburgh Hall. Hanover. NH 03755-386
Superconducting Properties of  ${\rm V}_{3}{\rm Si}$ Thin Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Ablation

We present a systematic study of the superconducting properties of high quality V3Si thin films, grown by high vacuum pulsed laser deposition from a stoichiometric target, a technique never reported in literature for this compound. By changing both the substrate (crystal structure and orientation) and the deposition conditions (substrate temperature, target-substrate distance, laser frequency and pulse energy) the critical temperature and the resistivity values of the samples have been finely tuned. Best results (TC = 16.1 K and Residual Resistivity Ratio RRR = 8.5) are obtained for deposition temperatures higher than 1200degC on both LaAlO3 and MgO substrates. All the samples are polycrystalline, that however does not affect the good quality of the transport properties. The possibility of multiband superconductivity in this compound is investigated, probing as a function of temperature: (i) the critical field up to 28 T using voltamperometric measurements, and (ii) the superfluid density via magnetic penetration depth measurements with a single coil inductive technique operating in the MHz region.
The locus responsible for horizontal gaze palsy/progressive scoliosis and brainstem hypoplasia is refined to a 9‐cM region on chromosome 11q23

Horizontal gaze palsy associated with progressive scoliosis (HGPS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition that has been recently mapped to a 30‐cM region on chromosome 11q23–25. In this report, we describe a consanguineous family in which three of five sibs are affected with HGPS. In two of the affected sibs, there was significant cognitive delay in addition to congenital horizontal gaze palsy and childhood onset scoliosis. In all three affected sibs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed brainstem hypoplasia, a finding that has recently been associated with HGPS. Clinical examination of the family showed no significant dysmorphic features, while karyotyping, EMG, nerve conduction, and muscle biopsies were unrevealing. Homozygosity mapping was performed to narrow the disease locus on 11q23–25. A recombination event was observed in one affected sib between markers D11S1345 and D11S4464, which further refined the region to a 9‐cM interval. Since the MRI results provide support for the theory that maldevelopment of neurons in the abducens nuclei and caudal longitudinal fascicle is the cause for HGPS, we speculate on the existence of a gene in this 9‐cM interval on chromosome 11q23, which is critical for brainstem development.
JSON Web Signature (JWS)

JSON Web Signature (JWS) represents content secured with digital signatures or Message Authentication Codes (MACs) using JSON-based data structures. Cryptographic algorithms and identifiers for use with this specification are described in the separate JSON Web Algorithms (JWA) specification and an IANA registry defined by that specification. Related encryption capabilities are described in the separate JSON Web Encryption (JWE) specification.
Biomarkers in cervical screening: quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analysis of P16INK4a expression

Molecular insights into the human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical carcinogenesis led to the discovery of biomarkers for cervical disease. The detection of cellular proteins that are overexpressed by HPV-infected cells, such as tumor suppressor protein p16INK4a, might play an important role in future cervical cancer screening strategies. P16INK4a immunostaining correlates with the severity of cytological and histological abnormalities, but shows some methodological shortcomings such as the lack of standardized methodology and interobserver variability. This study evaluated quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) as an alternative tool to analyze p16INK4a overexpression as a biomarker for transforming HPV-infections in a liquid-based cervical cytology (LBC) setting. Sixty LBC samples, divided in three groups based on their cytological diagnosis, were subjected to HPV typing and analysis of p16INK4a expression by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The analytical sensitivity of the RT-PCR was determined by spiking HeLa and HaCaT cells. P16INK4a expression measured by RT-PCR did not correlate with the cytological diagnosis or HPV status (HPV-positivity, infection type and HPV16-positivity). The spiking experiment proved that, to detect increased biomarker expression by RT-PCR, about 1.0% dysplastic cells is required within a pool of normal keratinocytes. In conclusion, RT-PCR analysis of biomarker expression is not appropriate for cervical screening purposes. In typical LBC samples, the biomarker transcripts of the dysplastic cells are diluted by the RNA of the normal cells in such a manner that their overexpression cannot be detected by RT-PCR.
Multi-objective optimization for number of joints and lengths of multi-jointed robot arm

In this paper, we deal with optimization problems of the number of joints and lengths of multi-jointed rigid arms. We assume target points to yield a path by Spline function and formulate optimization problems with multiple loops to find optimum number of joints and lengths. The objective of the optimum problem can be taken among various functions. The optimal problem is formulated here by multi-objective functions minimizing driving energy and maximizing manipulability measure. It is a difficult problem to find the optimum number of joints and lengths of a multi-jointed rigid robot arm directly by mathematical programing. Then, we utilize an algorithm based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) in order to solve inverse dynamic problems and optimization problems. The obtained results are examined from many points of view.
Cross-Domain Wireless Software Defined Network Based Recommendation

New developments in mobile computing, wireless networking and social networking leverage opportunities to create location-based social networks (LBSNs) such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Facebook Place. Pointof-interest (POI) recommendation is a significant task in LBSNs, since it provides recommendations that respect personal preferences and capture social and environmental parameters. Moreover, employing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in POIs enables to improve recommendation accuracy. Most of existing POI recommendation methods deals with the only single domain, whereas the use of information available from other application domains potentially provides better POI recommendation results. This is particularly relevantforthenewlylaunchedLBSNs, wherelittlecheckin information is available. In this paper, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to propose a crossdomainPOIrecommendationmethodinLBSNsandapply transfer learning for this purpose. To this end, we first incorporate both user and POI knowledge in auxiliary domains by discovering the principle coordinates. Next, we transfer them to the target domain and then make predictions using the transferred knowledge. The experimental results demonstrate high performance of our method and the merits of cross-domain POI recommendation in LBSNs.
Identification of a Functional Envelope Protein from the HERV-K Family of Human Endogenous Retroviruses

ABSTRACT Genome-wide screening of sequence databases for human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) has led to the identification of 18 coding env genes, among which two—the syncytin genes—encode fusogenic ENV proteins possibly involved in placenta physiology. Here we show that a third ENV, originating from the most “recent” HERV-K(HML2) family, is functional. Immunofluorescence analysis of env-transduced cells demonstrates expression of the protein at the cell surface, and we show that the protein confers infectivity to simian immunodeficiency virus pseudotypes. Western blot analysis of the pseudotyped virions further discloses the expected specific cleavage of the ENV precursor protein. This functional ENV could play a role in the amplification—via infection of the germ line—of the HERV-K genomic copies, all the more as coding HERV-K gag and pol genes can similarly be found in the human genome, which could therefore generate infectious virions of a fully endogenous origin.
Epithelial tissue‐type plasminogen activator expression, unlike that of urokinase, its receptor, and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, is increased in chronic venous ulcers

Background The plasminogen activation system represents a potent mechanism of extracellular proteolysis and is an essential component of normal wound healing. It has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic, nonhealing ulcers. Traditionally, urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been associated with pericellular proteolytic activity involved in tissue remodelling processes, and tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) mainly with intravascular fibrinolysis.
A MEMS tensile testing device for mechanical characterization of individual nanowires

This paper presents a MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) device for tensile testing of individual one-dimensional nanomaterials. Consisting of capacitive force and displacement sensors and an electrostatic actuator, the device conducts tensile testing and electronically measures nanomaterial deformations and forces. Electronic measurement permits a higher data sampling rate than electron microscopy imaging, which can be useful for obtaining more complete stress-strain data during plastic deformation and failure of nanomaterials for understanding material behavior. A nanomanipulation procedure is developed to pick up a nanowire from its growth substrate and place it on the MEMS device inside a scanning electron microscope. The quasistatic tensile test of a tin oxide (SnO2) nanowire is demonstrated, revealing a Young's modulus of 116.0 GPa and failure strength of 2.31 GPa.
The Deep Hot Biosphere

There are strong indications that microbial life is widespread at depth in the crust of the Earth, just as such life has been identified in numerous ocean vents. This life is not dependent on solar energy and photosynthesis for its primary energy supply, and it is essentially independent of the surface circumstances. Its energy supply comes from chemical sources, due to fluids that migrate upward from deeper levels in the Earth. In mass and volume it may be comparable with all surface life. Such microbial life may account for the presence of biological molecules in all carbonaceous materials in the outer crust, and the inference that these materials must have derived from biological deposits accumulated at the surface is therefore not necessarily valid. Subsurface life may be widespread among the planetary bodies of our solar system, since many of them have equally suitable conditions below, while having totally inhospitable surfaces. One may even speculate that such life may be widely disseminated in the universe, since planetary type bodies with similar subsurface conditions may be common as solitary objects in space, as well as in other solar-type systems.
Prevalence of obesity among children aged 6–7 years in South‐East Serbia

A cross‐sectional study of the prevalence of obesity in urban and rural areas of South‐East Serbia was performed on 541 children (273 boys and 268 girls), aged 6–7 years. Prevalence of obesity in urban boys and girls was 6.3% and 3.8% respectively (P > 0.05). Prevalence of obesity in rural boys and girls was 1.1% and 3.3% respectively (P > 0.05). The difference in the prevalence of obesity between urban boys and rural boys was statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the difference between urban and rural girls was insignificant (P > 0.05). Urban boys consumed more sweets and fast food compared with rural boys (P < 0.05). Urban children spent more time in watching TV compared with rural children (P < 0.05).
An Enhanced MPPT Method Combining Model-Based and Heuristic Techniques

An MPPT approach combining model-based and heuristic techniques has recently appeared in the literature for accelerating the tracking speed of the maximum power point (MPP) of PV systems. Despite the improved tracking speed, it requires an accurate temperature measurement that increases the cost and complexity of the implementation in comparison to the nonmodel-based maximum power point trackers (MPPTs). This paper proposes an MPPT method, which eliminates the need for temperature measurement. The proposed approach relies on a new set of equations capable of estimating the PV module temperature through utilizing the current and voltage measurements. It combines the well-known heuristic P&O and model-based techniques to ensure an accurate and high speed tracking. The proposed method also uniquely adopts a recently developed simple nontranscendental PV model featuring reduced computational time to reduce the computational complexity of the implementation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified using real-time simulation and experimentally.
A Hybrid Approach to Assess the Network Awareness of P2P-TV Applications

In this work, we develop a general methodology to assess the level of network awareness and friendliness of P2P-TV applications. The methodology is based on a combination of active and passive measurement techniques and can be applied to any P2P-TV system since it is designed to work considering such systems as a black-boxes. As an interesting case study, we then apply this methodology to PPLive, one of the most popular P2P-TV systems nowadays. Focusing on the video content distribution, we consider several per-path and per-peer metrics, investigating which of them mostly biases PPLive download preferences. Furthermore, in order to refine the picture of PPLive peer selection policy, we not only study the impact of different metrics in isolation, but also assess the joint impact of different metrics at the same time. Our main finding is that PPLive seems mainly bandwidth greedy, but does not show any preference toward peer proximity based on RTT delay; at the same time, our results also suggest that this choice alone may provide a nonnegligible level of geographical clustering among peers as a beneficial side effect.
Metabolism of Insulin Glargine After Repeated Daily Subcutaneous Injections in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To investigate concentration of plasma insulin glargine after its subcutaneous dosing compared with concentration of its metabolites 1 (M1) and 2 (M2) in subjects with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Nine subjects underwent a 32-h euglycemic glucose clamp study (0.4 units/kg glargine after 1 week of daily glargine administration). Glargine, M1, and M2 were measured by a specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. RESULTS Glargine was detected in only five of the nine subjects, at few time points, and at negligible concentrations. M1 was detected in all subjects and exhibited the same pattern as traditional radioimmunoassay-measured plasma insulin. M2 was not detected at all. CONCLUSIONS After subcutaneous injection, glargine was minimally detectable in blood, whereas its metabolite M1 accounted for most (>90%) of the plasma insulin concentration and metabolic action of the injected glargine.
Understanding and Improving Quality of Care in the Context of Depressed Elderly Persons Living in Norway

Effective leadership plays an important role in safe patient care. The aim of this paper was to understand and improve the implementation outcomes identified by empirical studies based on Proctors et al.’s key concepts, acceptability appropriateness, feasibility and fidelity, and to propose recommendations for further research. Methods: An interdisciplinary approach using mixed methods. Results: A total of twenty papers based on data from this interdisciplinary study have been published. Overall, our published empirical studies revealed that the CCM intervention had positive results due to staff members’ engagement to improve care, their awareness of the need for collaboration and willingness to assume responsibility for patient care. From the perspective of the depressed elderly persons the results of the research project indicated their need for support to increase self-management. In conclusion, an improved understanding of the implementation outcomes will have an impact on best practice for depressed elderly persons and dissemination purposes. Quality management and highly action-oriented involvement are necessary in implementation research. These will also affect the professional development of interdisciplinary teams as well as constitute a basis for further research on understanding and improving the care of depressed elderly individuals.
Chromosomal imbalances in primary and metastatic melanomas: over-representation of essential telomerase genes

Comparative genomic hybridization was used to map copy number abnormalities in 48 short-term cell cultures established from different stages and types of human melanoma. A variety of random and non-random chromosomal alterations were detected, with gains within chromosomes 20q, 7q, 7p, 20p, 6p and 17q and losses in 9p, 10q, 6q, 10p, 4q, and 11q being the most common observations. In addition, several other chromosomal loci were over- or under-represented in subgroups of melanomas. For example, sequences on 3q26 were over-represented in 33% and on 5p15.33 in 27% of cell cultures, reaching the level of amplification in 12% and 22%, respectively. These regions harbour the two essential genes for the enzyme telomerase: the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) on 5p15.33 and the telomerase RNA component gene (hTERC) on 3q26. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis, both genes were shown to be over-represented or amplified in several melanomas. Interestingly, hTERT amplification was abundant in superficial spreading primary melanomas, subcutaneous metastases and malignant effusion-derived cells, but completely absent or very rare in primary nodular melanomas as well as brain, bone and lymph node metastases. Several chromosomes or chromosomal regions harbouring telomerase-suppressing activities (3p, 4, 6 and 10p) were frequently under-represented in melanomas. Our data suggest that genetic alterations at several chromosomal loci might facilitate activation of telomerase during the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma.
Case report: bilateral hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in a patient with polycystic horseshoe kidney.

PURPOSE To report the use of the hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) technique for removal of a horseshoe kidney in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). CASE REPORT Hospital and outpatient records were reviewed for a 65-year-old man with end-stage renal disease secondary to ADPKD who underwent HAL bilateral nephrectomy of his horseshoe kidney in preparation for kidney transplantation. The surgical method is described. It was completed successfully with an operative time of 280 minutes and an estimated blood loss of 350 mL. CONCLUSION Bilateral HAL nephrectomy can be considered as an option for surgical removal of very large polycystic horseshoe kidneys.