Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Latent Pattern Mixture Models for Informative Intermittent Missing Data in Longitudinal Studies

Summary. A frequently encountered problem in longitudinal studies is data that are missing due to missed visits or dropouts. In the statistical literature, interest has primarily focused on monotone missing data (dropout) with much less work on intermittent missing data in which a subject may return after one or more missed visits. Intermittent missing data have broader applicability that can include the frequent situation in which subjects do not have common sets of visit times or they visit at nonprescheduled times. In this article, we propose a latent pattern mixture model (LPMM), where the mixture patterns are formed from latent classes that link the longitudinal response and the missingness process. This allows us to handle arbitrary patterns of missing data embodied by subjects' visit process, and avoids the need to specify the mixture patterns a priori. One assumption of our model is that the missingness process is assumed to be conditionally independent of the longitudinal outcomes given the latent classes. We propose a noniterative approach to assess this key assumption. The LPMM is illustrated with a data set from a health service research study in which homeless people with mental illness were randomized to three different service packages and measures of homelessness were recorded at multiple time points. Our model suggests the presence of four latent classes linking subject visit patterns to homeless outcomes.
Generalized equations for predicting body density of men

1. Skinfold thickness, body circumferences and body density were measured in samples of 308 and ninety-five adult men ranging in age from 18 to 61 years. 2. Using the sample of 308 men, multiple regression equations were calculated to estimate body density using either the quadratic or log form of the sum of skinfolds, in combination with age, waist and forearm circumference. 3. The multiple correlations for the equations exceeded 0.90 with standard errors of approximately ±0.0073 g/ml. 4. The regression equations were cross validated on the second sample of ninety-five men. The correlations between predicted and laboratory-determined body density exceeded 0.90 with standard errors of approximately 0.0077 g/ml. 5. The regression equations were shown to be valid for adult men varying in age and fatness.
Theory and applications of unstructured growth models: Kinetic and energetic aspects

Microbial kinetics and energetics are discussed in connection with the formulation of unstructured growth models. The development of microbial energetics and the use of macroscopic methods in the study of microbial growth are briefly evaluated. The general approach to the modelling of microbial growth has been critically discussed and a strategy for the formulation of unstructured models is presented. A simple unstructured model based on Monod kinetics and the linear relation for substrate consumption is evaluated with reference to extensive experimental and simulation data obtained in batch, fed‐batch, and continuous cultivation modes. Choice for a kinetic expression is discussed and has been shown not to be critical in most situations. It is shown that during growth in batch mode, the behavior of the system is rigidly fixed by the kinetic parameter: the maximum specific growth rate. The energetic parameters have minimal influence. In continuous cultivation the behavior is fixed by the energetic parameters: the maximum yield and the coefficient of maintenance. Implications of these observations have also been discussed. The linear relation for substrate consumption is tested with continuous culture data. It is shown that significant deviations at low growth rates cannot be fully accounted by the loss of viability. The situations where unstructured models will be adequate or not for system description, are evaluated and checked experimentally. Influence of an environmental factor, the temperature, on the unstructured model parameters is also quantitatively described. It is concluded that the art of unstructured model building has already reached its maturity and that now much effort should be channelled into the development and verification of structured models.
Intravitreal Cortisone Injection for Refractory Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema. We also compared the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone with macular grid laser photocoagulation in macular edema. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with diabetic diffuse macular edema unresponsive to grid laser photocoagulation for at least 4 months received 0.1 ml (4 mg/ml) intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (Kenakort-A) injection as treatment. This study group was compared with a control group of 30 patients (30 eyes) who had undergone grid laser macular coagulation. Mean follow-up time was 17 months (range 14–24 months) in the study group and 19 months (range 16–24 months) in the control group. Results: In the study group, mean improvement in visual acuity measured 3.8, 3.4, 0.9 and 0.2 Snellen lines at the follow-up intervals of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Improvement in visual acuity was statistically significant only at 1 month (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.003) after injection. Visual acuity was significantly (p < 0.05) better in the study group than the control group at 1 and 3 months. Overall, 6 of 30 eyes (20%) required a second injection and 3 eyes (10%) a third due to regression in visual acuity. Towards the end of the follow-up period, the visual acuity decreased to almost baseline levels. Elevation of intraocular pressure was found in 4 patients and controlled with topical antiglaucomatosis treatment. Sterile endophthalmitis was detected in only one eye. No eye exhibited cataract progression during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone may be beneficial for temporarily increasing visual acuity in patients with diabetic diffuse macular edema who are unresponsive even to grid laser photocoagulation. But the regression of visual acuity looks inevitable in the long term after injection. Therefore, repeated injections with/without increasing doses might be required for the stabilization of visual acuity.
Connection resource management for compiler-generated communication

Traditionally parallel compilers have targeted a standard message passing communication library when generating communication code (e.g. PVM, MPI). The standard message passing model dynamicly reserves communication re s urces for each message. For regular, repeating communication patterns, a sta tic communication resource reservation model can be more efficient. By reserving resour ces once for many communication exchanges, the communication startup time is be tter amortized. Plus, with a global view of communication, the static model has a wider c hoice of routes. While the static resource reservation model can be a more efficient ommunication target for the compiler, this model reveals the problems of scheduling use of limited communication resources. This paper uses the abstraction of a communi cation resource to define two resource management problems and presents three algori thms that can be used by the compiler to address these problems. Initial measures of the effectiveness of these algorithms are presented from two programs for an 8 iWarp system.
Rectangular terahertz microstrip patch antenna design for vitamin K2 detection applications

In this paper, a rectangular shaped Terahertz (THz) microstrip patch antenna with a slotted ground has been proposed. The Flame Retardant (FR-4) having a dielectric constant (∊r) of 4.4. The copper having a resistivity of 1.68 × 10−8 Ωm has been employed in the designing of the proposed antenna. A slot of rectangular shape has been made in the ground for enhancing the various antenna parameters. The proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 444.5 GHz (4.7379 THz to 5.1824 THz) and is resonant at a frequency of 4.952 THz with a minimal return loss of −55.31 dB. The performance of proposed antenna has been scrutinized in terms of return loss (dB), impedance bandwidth (THz), gain (dB), directivity (dBi), VSWR and impedance (ohms). It has been observed that the proposed terahertz rectangular slotted antenna has a directivity and gain of 4.084 dBi and 4.254 dB at the resonant frequency. The proposed antenna has been simulated and designed using CST microwave Studio 2016. The proposed antenna can be suitably used for the detection of vitamin k2, a biomedical application.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Plant Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum Strain Po82

ABSTRACT Ralstonia solanacearum strain Po82, a phylotype IIB/sequevar 4 strain, was found to be pathogenic to both solanaceous plants and banana. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Po82 and its comparison with seven published R. solanacearum genomes.
Design Patterns in Serious Games : A Blue Print for Combining Fun and Learning

At first glance, the term “Serious Game” seems to be an oxymoron. Indeed, how can we combine the serious business of teaching with the stimulating enjoyment, and excitement, people find in video games? Experience shows that it is often a tall order to make learning an enjoyable, exciting, and enriching experience. In this paper, we present the result of our study and analysis of twenty Serious Games from which we discovered and derived what appeared to us as the most useful practices that could be formulated in Design Patterns based on a Pattern Language. These patterns can be presented in a typology that should facilitate the application of those practices and should favour collaborative projects bringing together game experts, knowledge experts, and other stakeholders involved in the design and production process of Serious Games. We used these patterns to design a Serious Game prototype and were able to test their usability.
Theories of international migration: a review and appraisal.

The configuration of developed countries has become today diverse and multiethnic due to international migration. A single coherent theoretical explanation for international migration is lacking. The aim of this discussion was the generation and integration of current theories that clarify basic assumptions and hypotheses of the various models. Theories were differentiated as explaining the initiation of migration and the perpetuation of international movement. Initiation theories discussed were 1) macro theories of neoclassical economics; 2) micro theories of neoclassical economics; 3) the new economics with examples for crop insurance markets futures markets unemployment insurance and capital markets; 4) dual labor market theory and structural inflation motivational problems economic dualism and the demography of labor supply; and 5) world systems theory and the impacts of land raw materials labor material links ideological links and global cities. Perpetuation theories were indicated as network theories of declining risks and costs; institutional theory cumulative causation through distribution of income and land organization of agrarian production culture of migration regional distribution of human capital and social labeling factors; and migration systems theory. The assumptions and propositions of these theories although divergent were not inherently contradictory but had very different implications for policy formulation. The policy decisions over the next decades will be very important and carry with them the potential for misunderstanding and conflict. Policy options based on the explicated models range from regulation by changing wages and employment conditions in destination countries or promoting development in countries of origin to changing structural market economic relations.
How Do Quality Practices Affect the Results?: The Experience of Thalassotherapy Centres in Spain

Most thalassotherapy centres in Spain do not have any quality certification but they are carrying out several actions of quality management in an attempt to obtain better results. Consequently, the aim of this research is to study if the implementation of quality practices on thalassotherapy centres has the same impact on companies’ results as on the results of those companies that got the quality certifications. In addition, the relationships between different factors considered are going to be studied. Our sample is composed of Spanish thalassotherapy centres, and the statistical technique used is based on structural equation modelling, in particular partial least squares (PLS) regression. The data were provided by the answers given by 31 managers (70.45% of the selected sample) to a structured questionnaire based on previous research and statistically validated. The results of this research allow us to conclude that these kinds of organizations have implemented informal practices to improve the quality of the service in terms of leadership, personnel management, alliances, and resources and show that the practices that have been carried out by these centres to enhance the quality of the service have an impact on companies’ results. Managers of these kinds of establishments that want to improve customer results should focus their efforts on continuous improvement, whereas, if they are pursuing enhancement of other results, their efforts should be focused on process management.
Influence of UV Treatment on the Electro-optical Properties of Indium Tin Oxide Films Used in Flexible Displays

Indium-tin oxide films are deposited by low plasma temperature RF sputtering on highly flexible modification of glycol polyethyleneterephtalate substrates. The produced layers are characterized with transparency over 82 % and sheet resistance of 86.9 Ω/square. The film’s conductivity was further improved by additional UV illumination from light source (365 nm), having power of 250 W. The influence of the UV exposure dose on the structural and electro-optical properties of ITO was investigated. It was established that the optimum time of illumination is 10 minutes and further UV treatment leads to polymer substrates degradation. Structural and bonds type analysis show that at longer treatment carbon atoms release and diffuse into ITO films, which worsen their electrical behavior. For the optimum UV dose the minimum sheet resistance was measured to be 19.2 Ω/square, and the maximum transparency remained almost unchanged – above 82 %. Keywords—Flexible displays, indium tin oxide, RF sputtering, UV treatment.
Cloning, sequence and mutagenesis of the structural gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CysB, which can activate algD transcription

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains infecting patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) acquire a mucoid phenotype due to overproduction of alginate. The key enzyme in alginate synthesis is AlgD, whose promoter is transcriptionally active in mucoid strains and under the control of several trans‐acting factors, including the integration host factor (IHF). The algD promoter (palgD ) contains two IHF‐binding sites (ihf1 and ihf2 ). Study of IHF binding to ihf2 of palgD, by electrophoretic mobility‐shift assays, led to the discovery of a protein of 36 kDa (p36) able to bind downstream from ihf2, to the 3′ region of palgD. The gene encoding p36 was isolated from the mucoid strain CHA of P. aeruginosa and sequenced. It can encode a 324‐amino‐acid protein, which shares a high degree of sequence identity (63%) with CysB from Escherichia coli and from Salmonella typhimurium, a transcriptional factor of the LysR superfamily. Furthermore, both p36 and S. typhimurium CysB bind the same site of palgD ; p36 was therefore termed CysB and its structural gene was called cysB. Next to cysB, on the opposite DNA strand, cysH was capable of encoding a protein sharing 26% identity with CysH (PAPS reductase) of E. coli and an even greater identity (54%) with the nucleotide‐deduced protein from Arabidopsis. A CysB‐deficient mutant of CHA, constructed by insertional inactivation of cysB, was a cysteine auxotroph and was unable to form a specific complex with palgD in vitro. Activity of palgD in the cysB mutant, in CHA and in the non‐mucoid strain PAO was assessed by the use of a transcriptional algD–xylE fusion. Cells of PAO and of the cysB mutant grown in minimal media in the presence of 0.3 M NaCl exhibited a palgD activity, which was 10% or less that of the mucoid strain CHA. Thus, P. aeruginosa CysB can act as an activator of algD expression.
12(S)-HETE enhancement of prostate tumor cell invasion: selective role of PKC alpha.

BACKGROUND Prostate carcinoma has become the second most fatal cancer in American men. In Dunning R3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma cells, elevated invasiveness positively correlates with metastatic potential. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for regulation of tumor cell motility and invasion is poorly understood. We have reported that a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(S)-HETE], augments tumor cell metastatic potential through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). PURPOSE We proposed to determine the effect of 12(S)-HETE on the motility and invasion of low-metastatic rat prostate AT2.1 tumor cells and the effect of 12(S)-HETE activation of specific PKC isoform(s) in these processes. METHODS The motility of AT2.1 cells was determined by the colloidal gold phagokinetic track assay and the invasiveness measured as their ability to invade through basement membrane Matrigel-coated filters. Expression of PKC isoforms was determined by Western blotting of the whole cell lysate with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies. Cytosol and membrane fractions were prepared and the subcellular distribution of PKC was analyzed by Western blotting and activity assay. The effect of 12(S)-HETE on cell proliferation was examined. Data were analyzed for significance of difference with the two-sampled, two-sided Student's t test. RESULTS 12(S)-HETE increased the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells, and this 12(S)-HETE-increased motility and invasion were inhibited by a selective PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, as well as a Ca2 chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/tetra(acetoxy-methyl)ester. AT2.1 cells expressed the PKC isoforms alpha and delta, and 12(S)-HETE increased the membrane association of PKC alpha but not delta. Further, the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells were increased by thymelea toxin, a selective activator of PKC alpha over PKC delta. CONCLUSION 12(S)-HETE augments the invasiveness of AT2.1 cells via selective activation of PKC alpha. IMPLICATIONS 12(S)-HETE modulation of PKC alpha invasiveness may be an important mechanism of action for the regulation of the invasive potential of rat prostate carcinoma cells, and the 12-lipoxygenase enzyme and/or PKC alpha may serve as key targets for the development of anti-invasive agents useful for combating the spread of prostate cancer.
Ampakine (CX717) effects on performance and alertness during simulated night shift work.

INTRODUCTION Round-the-clock operations in both military and civilian sectors have increased the need for alertness- and performance-maintaining strategies. The potential performance and objective alertness-enhancing effects of CX717 (a novel cognitive enhancer currently being tested in Phase II clinical trials) were evaluated using a simulated night shift work paradigm. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups design, 48 volunteers underwent 4 consecutive nights of simulated shift work. Each "shift" consisted of the following: at approximately 2145 (just prior to the start of each simulated night shift), volunteers ingested a single oral dose of CX717 200 mg, CX717 400 mg, CX717 1000 mg, or placebo (N = 12 per drug dosage). Performance, alertness, mood, and symptoms were then assessed from 2300 to 0700, followed by a polysomnographically monitored daytime sleep period from 0800 to 1200. RESULTS Performance and alertness significantly degraded across the simulated night shifts (P < 0.05). None of the dosages of CX717 reversed these effects (P > 0.05). CX717 exerted some effects on daytime sleep, most notably reduction of slow-wave sleep time (P < 0.05). CX71 7 caused very few side effects and none of those were serious or unexpected. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS At the doses tested, CX717 was not effective for reversing performance and alertness deficits associated with night shift work. Further work evaluating higher doses of CX717 may be warranted, as are studies in which CX717 effects are explored under other conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's dementia, attention deficit disorder).
Clinical evidence of decreased olfaction in Bardet–Biedl syndrome caused by a deletion in the BBS4 Gene

Recent discoveries have lead to the hypothesis that ciliary dysfunction is a mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS). Here, we describe two individuals with decreased olfaction who are members of an extended family affected with BBS caused by a homozygous deletion (c.77‐220del) in the BBS4 gene. These findings correlate with the evidence that several BBS proteins, including BBS4, are expressed in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Although the prevalence and the spectrum of impaired olfaction in BBS are not known, the causal relationship of the BBS4 deletion in this family and the decreased olfaction is corroborated by evidence that Bbs2 and Bbs4 knockout mice have severe olfaction deficits and that also patients with BBS caused by mutations in other BBS genes can have impaired olfaction. This finding broadens the spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with BBS, confirms the role of BBS4 in olfaction, and lends support to the hypothesis that ciliary dysfunction is an important aspect of BBS pathogenesis. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proximal promoter of the rat brain creatine kinase gene lacks a consensus CRE element but is essential for the cAMP‐mediated increased transcription in glioblastoma cells

Our previous studies have shown that transcription of brain creatine kinase (CKB) mRNA in U87‐MG glioblastoma cells is stimulated by a forskolin‐mediated increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) via a pathway involving protein kinase A (PKA) and the activation of Gαs proteins. In this report, we have employed transient transfection to investigate the rat CKB gene elements essential for the cAMP‐mediated induction of rat CKB transcription in human U87 cells and have mapped the transcription start site of the induced CKB transcripts. We found that the level of induced transcription from the transfected genomic rat CKB gene was the same whether transcription was driven by 2.9 kb of CKB promoter plus 5′ flanking sequence or the 0.2 kb CKB promoter, suggesting that the proximal CKB promoter was essential. Also, the level of induced transcription of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene driven by the 2.9 kb CKB promoter was the same as with the 0.2 kb CKB promoter. Analyses of a series of 5′ deletions of the 0.2 kb proximal CKB promoter showed that the sequences between −80 bp and +1 bp were essential for the cAMP‐mediated induction of CKB transcription, despite the absence of a consensus cAMP response element (CRE) sequence in that region. In agreement, gel mobility shift assays showed that nuclear extracts from U87 cells contained a protein(s) which bound specifically to a [32P]CKB DNA probe containing the −60 bp to +1 bp sequence. Mapping the 5′ end of the CKB transcripts showed that the initiation of the cAMP‐induced transcription occurred almost exclusively from the downstream transcription start site, apparently under the initiation direction of the nonconsensus (−28) TTAA element and not the consensus (−60) TATAAATA element. The results are discussed with regard to nuclear protein factors which may be involved, and the possible cAMP‐mediated increase in CKB transcription during myelinogenesis, since the differentiation of oligodendrocytes has previously been shown to be accelerated by increased intracellular cAMP. J. Neurosci. Res. 56:371–385, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.