Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of serum albumin on the aggregation state and toxicity of amphotericin B.

Studies have shown that the dose-limiting toxicity of amphotericin B (AmB), a key drug for systemic mycoses, depends on its self-aggregation state. In a step toward understanding the various factors in blood mediating the toxicity of AmB, we have investigated the effect of serum albumin, the most abundant plasma protein, on the aggregation state of AmB using absorption spectroscopy. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of AmB, which coincides with its concentration at the onset of toxicity (hemolysis), was 1.1 microM, but rose in proportion to the level of serum albumin (1.0 to 4.0% w/v). The CAC of AmB was 8.0 microM at 4.0% w/v serum albumin, which is considerably higher than peak therapeutic levels of AmB in plasma (i.e., 2.0 microM). Serum albumin (4.0% w/v) lowered the degree of aggregation of AmB (size of aggregates) above the CAC and increased its solubility. The results suggest that serum albumin attenuates the toxicity of AmB at a membrane level by affecting its aggregation state. In this way, serum albumin in blood may balance deleterious effects of AmB mediated by serum low-density lipoproteins.
Title Optimizing personal computer configurations with heuristic-based search methods

Undoubtedly, the hardware technology of personal computers (PCs) are continuously changing and shaping our daily living. However, given the diversity of PC hardware components, and the limited compatibility between some of these hardware components, most people are interested to obtain an (sub-)optimal configuration for some specific usage restricted to their budget limits and other possible criteria. In this paper, we firstly formulate these widely occurred configuration problems as discrete optimization problems in which users can flexibly add in or modify their specific requirements at any time. More interestingly, we proposed two intelligent optimizers: a simple-yet-powerful beam search method and a min-conflict heuristic-based micro-genetic algorithm (MGA) to solve this real-life optimization problem. The beam search represents a restricted intelligent search while the MGA is an evolutionary algorithm with small population size. To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of our proposals, we built a Webbased Personal Computer Configuration Advisor to integrate each of the two optimizers as individual component to configure PCs for general users. In our empirical evaluation, the heuristic-based MGA consistently outperformed the beam search method in most cases. Furthermore, our work opens up numerous exciting directions for future investigation including the improvement of our optimizer to handle more complicated users’ requirements, the integration of other optimizers like the branch-and-bound heuristic search method [1,2] for comparison, and the possible uses of efficient learning algorithms such as the ID3 algorithm [2] to classify different user-defined configurations into useful examples to guide the search during optimization.
Broadcast news transcription in Central-East European languages

This paper addresses two main issues. First, how to develop broadcast news transcription systems for Central-East European languages in a short time if only restricted language-specific knowledge is available; and second how to improve an already existing system by using on-line learning method. Accordingly, we present recognition results of two newly developed news transcription systems for Polish and Romanian languages, which are trained in fully data-driven manner based on only a few hours of manual transcriptions and web materials. Besides, an automatic language model updating method is also presented for our Hungarian transcription system. Continuous updating of the language model resulted in 2% relative WER (Word Error Rate) reduction measured on a 3 month long period primarily due to better language model parameter matching for IV (Intra Vocabulary) words and secondary due the reduction of OOV (Out Of Vocabulary) words. To the best of our knowledge, the first Romanian broadcast news recognition results are published in this study.
Translation of merD in Tn21

All four sequenced examples of the mercury resistance (mer) operon of gram-negative bacteria have a promoter-distal reading frame, merD, whose removal has little effect on the resistance phenotype and whose translation has not previously been observed. Using merD-lacZ protein fusions, we show that merD is translated. However, Hg(II)-induced merD expression, as measured by beta-galactosidase activity and immunoblotting, is 10- to 15-fold lower than that of fusions to the gene immediately preceding it, merA.
Brain catecholamines, serotonin and their metabolites in mice selected for low (MGL) and high (MGH) blood magnesium levels.

Brain noradrenaline, dopamine, DOPAC (3-4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid), HVA (homovanillic acid), serotonin and 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindolacetic acid) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with amperimetric detection in adult male mice from three different strains : mice with genetically low (MGL) or high (MGH) blood magnesium levels, obtained by selective breeding and outbred Swiss albino mice. Noradrenaline levels were significantly higher (P < or = 0.001) in MGL than in MGH and Swiss mice : DOPAC levels were lower (P < or = 0.001) in MGL than in MGH and Swiss. Little or no differences were found for these variables between MGH and Swiss mice. MGL and MGH animals had similar brain dopamine, HVA and serotonin contents. These results suggest that the mere selection for genetic traits inducing low blood magnesium levels increases the synthesis of noradrenaline or decreases its catabolism. The above data together with the higher urinary noradrenalin excretion previously observed in the MGL line might account for the higher sensitivity and/or reactivity of MGL animals to stress. Swiss mice had significantly lower (P < or = 0.001) brain dopamine and serotonin contents than both MGL and MGH lines; indeed Swiss mice and MGL/MGH mice were issued from very different populations and had vastly different stocks of genes. Brain 5-HIAA content was also found higher (P < or = 0.01) in MGH than in MGL and Swiss mice; this latter result needs to be confirmed by further research.
New results on minimal realization of 2D filters

Unlike the ID case, it is not always possible to find a minimal state-space realization for a general 2D filter/system except for some particular categories. In the article, the possibility of minimal Roesser model realization for a class of 2D filters, which does not belong to the clarified categories, is explored. A constructive realization procedure is first proposed, which can be viewed as a kind of generalization of the well-known 1D realization approaches. Based on the proposed procedure, minimal realization is constructed for the 2D filters with unit coefficients. Then, a sufficient existence condition for the minimal realization of the considered class of 2D filters with arbitrary coefficients is derived, and the corresponding minimal realization is obtained. Illustrative examples are presented to show the details and effectiveness of the proposed approach
A Hierarchical C2RTL Framework for Hardware Configurable Embedded Systems

Embedded systems have been widely used in the mobile computing applications. The mobility requires high performance under strict power consumption, which leads to a big challenge for the traditional single-processor architecture. Hardware accelerators provide an energy efficient solution but lack the flexibility for different applications. Therefore, the hardware configurable embedded systems become the promising direction in future. For example, Intel just announced a system on chip (SoC) product, combining the ATOM processor with a FPGA in one package (Intel Inc., 2011).
Heritability and sex differences in experimental neuropathic pain with special emphasis on the role of the major histocompatibility complex

Neuropathic pain caused by injury to the nervous system is a difficult clinical problem and a large proportion of patients experience no or only partial relief from existing treatments. Pain sensitivity and the development of neuropathic pain are complex biological and physiological entities that are known to be affected by genetics and sex. Although many theories have been put forward to explain neuropathic pain, the mechanisms are still largely unknown. In the present thesis we have used a genetic approach to explore the potential involvement of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in the development of neuropathic pain-like behavior following a photochemically induced sciatic nerve or spinal cord injury in inbred and/or congenic rat strains with different MHC haplotypes. We were able to show that following peripheral nerve injury, certain allelic variants of MHC have stronger influence on the susceptibility for the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain in both males and females. We could also demonstrate that both MHC and non-MHC genes are implicated in the genetic regulation of susceptibility to neuropathic pain. However, after spinal cord injury, MHC genes do not appear to be involved in the development of central neuropathic pain. We have also studied sex difference in the development of mechanical hypersensitivity and wide spread pain after infraorbital and sciatic nerve injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. Our results demonstrated that sex differences in the development of neuropathic painlike behavior are dependent on site of injury as well as site of testing with females being more susceptible to develop widespread mechanical hypersensitivity, particularly after infraorbital nerve injury. This finding may lead to a rat model of the human condition of fibromyalgia and other forms of spread pain that is mostly observed in woman.
Older adults' contact with health practitioners: is there an association with smoking practices?

BACKGROUND Approximately 12% of the North American population aged 65 and older smoke cigarettes daily. Late-life smokers represent an important population for intervention by health practitioners. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which contact with health practitioners (dentists or physicians) affects smoking status among older adults. METHODS We used data on a probability-based sample of community-dwelling elderly respondents (N = 13,363) from the Canadian 1996-1997 National Population Health Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between current tobacco use and contact with health care practitioners controlling for potential confounders, especially sociodemographic characteristics, selected health conditions, self-reported health, body mass index, functional status, perceived social support, and psychological distress. RESULTS Older adults without a regular physician (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.59), with infrequent physical (AOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07-1.40), and dental (AOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 2.07-3.47) checkups were more likely to be current smokers. Age (younger), church attendance (infrequent), drinking behavior (former or occasional), body mass index (normal weight), and psychological distress were all independently related to current smoking. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that patients' contact with health care providers is strongly negatively associated with smoking. More specific data are needed to learn the frequency with which physicians and dental professionals attempt to modify older individuals' smoking behavior and the degree to which such efforts are effective.
Breast cancer mortality in neighbouring European countries with different levels of screening but similar access to treatment: trend analysis of WHO mortality database

Objective To compare trends in breast cancer mortality within three pairs of neighbouring European countries in relation to implementation of screening. Design Retrospective trend analysis. Setting Three country pairs (Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) v Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands v Belgium and Flanders (Belgian region south of the Netherlands), and Sweden v Norway). Data sources WHO mortality database on cause of death and data sources on mammography screening, cancer treatment, and risk factors for breast cancer mortality. Main outcome measures Changes in breast cancer mortality calculated from linear regressions of log transformed, age adjusted death rates. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify the year when trends in mortality for all ages began to change. Results From 1989 to 2006, deaths from breast cancer decreased by 29% in Northern Ireland and by 26% in the Republic of Ireland; by 25% in the Netherlands and by 20% in Belgium and 25% in Flanders; and by 16% in Sweden and by 24% in Norway. The time trend and year of downward inflexion were similar between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and between the Netherlands and Flanders. In Sweden, mortality rates have steadily decreased since 1972, with no downward inflexion until 2006. Countries of each pair had similar healthcare services and prevalence of risk factors for breast cancer mortality but differing implementation of mammography screening, with a gap of about 10-15 years. Conclusions The contrast between the time differences in implementation of mammography screening and the similarity in reductions in mortality between the country pairs suggest that screening did not play a direct part in the reductions in breast cancer mortality.
Manganese promotes increased formation of hydrogen peroxide by activated human macrophages and neutrophils in vitro

Although pro-inflammatory mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of manganese (Mn2+)-related neurological and respiratory disorders, relatively little is known about the potential of this metal to interact pro-oxidatively with human phagocytes. The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of Mn2+ as MnCl2 (0.5–100 µM) on the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hypohalous acids by isolated human blood neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages following activation of these cells with the chemotactic tripeptide, FMLP (1 µM), or the phorbol ester, PMA (25 ng/mL). Generation of ROS was measured using the combination of oxygen consumption, lucigenin/luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, spectrofluorimetric detection of oxidation of 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein, radiometric assessment of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated protein iodination, release of MPO by ELISA, and spectrophotometric measurement of nitrite formation. Treatment of activated neutrophils with either FMLP or PMA resulted in significantly decreased reactivity of superoxide in the setting of increased formation of H2O2 and MPO-mediated iodination, with no detectable effects on either oxygen consumption or MPO release. Similar effects of the metal with respect to superoxide reactivity and H2O2 formation were observed with activated macrophages, while generation of NO was unaffected. Taken together with the findings of experiments using cell-free ROS-generating systems, these observations are compatible with a mechanism whereby Mn2+, by acting as a superoxide dismutase mimetic, increases the formation of H2O2 by activated phagocytes. If operative in vivo, this mechanism may contribute to the toxicity of Mn2+.
Sphincter pharyngoplasty for the surgical management of speech dysfunction associated with velocardiofacial syndrome.

There are no reports in the literature that document the effectiveness of sphincter pharyngoplasty as a surgical alternative to pharyngeal flap for management of velopharyngeal dysfunction in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome. A retrospective review of patients with velocardiofacial syndrome was undertaken at our tertiary cleft care centre. All patients were managed between 1984 and 1996 at the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities Institute, St Louis Children's Hospital. Subjects (n = 19) underwent velopharyngeal surgical management on the basis of perceptual speech evaluations and instrumental assessments of inadequate velopharyngeal closure. All patients had a molecular diagnosis of velocardiofacial syndrome based on fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes and independent evaluation by a medical geneticist. Surgical outcome was classified as successful if perceptual speech assessment indicated elimination of hypernasality, nasal emission and turbulence, and instrumental assessment indicated 100% velopharyngeal closure. Results showed that 18 of 19 patients were managed successfully with sphincter pharyngoplasty. Our data corroborate that sphincter pharyngoplasty is a reasonable alternative to pharyngeal flap in patients with velopharyngeal dysfunction secondary to velocardiofacial syndrome.
Short-Term Load Forecasting With Seasonal Decomposition Using Evolution for Parameter Tuning

This paper studies data-driven short-term load forecasting, where historic data are used to predict the expected load for the next 24 h. Our focus is to simplify and automate the estimation and analysis of various forecasting models. We propose a three-stage approach to load forecasting, consisting of preprocessing, forecasting, and postprocessing, where the forecasting stage uses evolution to automatically set the parameters for each model. In our implementation, the preprocessing stage includes removal of daily and weekly seasonality by a nonparametric method. This seasonal pattern is added in the postprocessing stage. The system allows for easy exploration of several forecasting models, without the need to have in-depth knowledge of how to obtain the best performance for each model. We apply the method to several forecasting algorithms and on three datasets: (1) distribution substation; (2) GEFCom 2012; and (3) a transmission level dataset. We find that the forecasting algorithms considered produce significantly more accurate forecasts when combined with our proposed preprocessing stage compared with applying the same algorithms directly on the raw data. We also find that the parameter values chosen by evolution often provide insights into the interplay between the different datasets and forecast models. Software is available online.
Comparison of radiative transfer model inversions to estimate vegetation physiological status based on hyperspectral data

This study compares the performance of radiative transfer model inversion techniques to estimate leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) from summer barley based on hyperspectral data. The PROSAIL model was used to simulate vegetation reflectances. Model performance was tested against 168 ASD measurements taken under controlled conditions in an experimental station. An iterative optimization technique (IO), a look-up table (LUT) and a support vector regression (SVR) were applied to invert the PROSAIL model. A new and efficient method for LUT generation is presented which serves also as an extensive data basis to train the SVR. Highest accuracy for LCC estimation was achieved with the IO (R2=0.72). The performance dropped to R2=0.51 using the LUT but improved when the same dataset was used to apply the machine learning technique (R2 for SVR=0.67).
The role of facial microexpression state (FMES) change in the process of conceptual conflict

This paper explores whether facial microexpression state ( FMES) changes can be used to identify moments of conceptual conflict, one of the pathways to conceptual change. It is known that when the preconditions of conceptual conflicts are met and conceptual conflicts are detected in students, it is then possible for conceptual change to take place. There were 102 university and high school students who were involved in this research, and about 80% of the participants held erroneous preconceptions on the scientific topic chosen. The results showed that FMES changes were detected in the majority of the students who made erroneous predictions as they underwent conceptual conflict. Furthermore, the lack of FMES change was shown to indicate a lowered likelihood of conceptual change, while the presence of FMES change doubled the likelihood of conceptual change. The results confirm that FMES can be useful in determining learners' awareness of conflicting concepts and their progress towards scientific understanding. Educational implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Yacc in sasl — an exercise in functional programming

Among the advantages claimed for a purely functional programming style is ease of designing and implementing large programs. However, little experience of actually doing so has been gained so far. The experience of writing a particular medium sized program in a functional language is described here, with particular emphasis on the differences in programming style that were appropriate. This is compared with the experience of writing a very similar program in an imperative language. The main conclusions appear to be that the functional version was significantly easier to write, and was considerably smaller, though not by as large a factor as is sometimes claimed; that strong typing is, if anything, more desirable than in imperative systems; and that the question of debugging functional programs needs further research attention.
Semantic Disambiguation of "NP₁-no NP₂" Construction by Extended GL

This paper proposes an elaboration of the Generative Lexicon (GL) in Pustejovsky (1995) based on a survey of BCCWJ (2009). I manually classified the Japanese NP1-no NP2 “NP1’s NP2” construction into the following patterns: (i) qualia structure modification in the sense of Pustejovsky (1995) (ii) relational nouns (iii) adjectival modification (iv) event nominals (v) extensional module modification, a term used by me, and others. The result indicates the need for the expansion of GL for computing the meaning by incorporating an extensional module that predicates temporary location, time, and manner of the referent. For example, in ima-no nihon “the present Japan,” ima-no modifies the time of the event argument in the extensional module.
Numerical simulation of a ferromagnetic spin-polarised diode

We present the first approach to a numerical simulator that extends the traditional resolution of the discrete Poisson and continuity equations, to solve a p-n ferromagnetic and degenerate junction. As it is degenerate, the carriers within the p-n junction can recombine through a direct tunnelling process from the valence band to the conduction band and viceversa. Ferromagnetism produces a spin split of the conduction band in n-type semiconductors and of the valence band in p-type semiconductors. The simulator evaluates the tunnelling asymmetry for an ideal junction with arbitrary spin polarisation on each side and computes how the current depends on the voltage across the junction. The obtained results predict that the strongest influence of the spin polarisation over the current value occurs in the negative resistance region, main characteristic of the tunnel diode.