Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated depressive symptoms are associated with hypertriglyceridemia in Japanese male workers.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether elevated depressive symptoms are associated with metabolic syndrome and its components in the Japanese population. METHODS Out of 1,386 male workers who underwent measurements of variables of metabolic syndrome components in their health checkup, 1,186 subjects (44.5 ± 9.6 years) completed the Zung self-rating depression scale (ZSDS) (response rate 85.6%). In this study, metabolic syndrome was defined according to the joint scientific statement proposed by 6 major organizations, including the International Diabetes Federation. RESULTS The overall frequency of elevated depressive symptoms (ZSDS scores ≥40) was 42.1% (n=499). The incidence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in subjects with elevated depressive symptoms than in those without (13.2% vs. 8.9%, p<0.05). Of all the metabolic syndrome components, mean triglyceride levels were significantly higher in subjects with elevated depressive symptoms than in those without [124.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 117.8-131.7) mg/dL vs. 111.5 (95% CI: 107.2-115.9) mg/dL, p<0.05]. Consequently, hypertriglyceridemia (28.9% vs. 21.0%, p<0.01) was the main component correlated with the between-group difference of metabolic syndrome incidence. In the logistic regression analysis after adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratio of the total ZSDS scores for the diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia was 1.52 (95% CI: 1.13-2.04; p<0.01), and the major depressive symptom was psychomotor agitation (odds ratio: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.10-1.94; p<0.01). CONCLUSION This study showed that elevated depressive symptoms were associated with hypertriglyceridemia in Japanese male workers, which affected the clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
Sheffield Corpus of Chinese for Diachronic Linguistic Study1

The paper presents the outcome of the pilot phase of a major project which aims to build a digital resource for the study of historical Chinese texts with a view to facilitating linguistic analysis of the language, particularly from a diachronic point of view. The approach to general problems for a diachronic corpus is discussed. Details of the tag set and the tagging system devised are given. The development of a sophisticated automatic mark-up scheme for Chinese texts from widely different time periods and genres is indicated.
Bone tissue‐specific transcription of the osteocalcin gene: Role of an activator osteoblast‐specific complex and suppressor hox proteins that bind the OC box

Bone‐specific expression of the osteocalcin gene is transcriptionally controlled. Deletion analysis of osteocalcin promoter sequences by transient transfection of osseous (ROS 17/2.8) and nonosseous (R2 fibroblast) cells revealed that the most proximal 108 nucleotides are sufficient to confer tissue‐specific expression. By gel mobility shift assays with wild‐type and mutated oligonucleotides and nuclear extracts from several different cell lines we identified a novel transcription factor complex which exhibits sequence‐specific interactions with the primary transcriptional element, the OC box (nt −99 to −76). This OC box binding protein (OCBP) is present only in osteoblast‐like cells. Methylation interference demonstrated association of the factor with OC box sequences overlapping the Msx homeodomain consensus binding site. By assaying several mutations of the OC box, both in gel shift and transient transfection studies using ROS 17/2.8, we show the following. First, binding of OCBP correlates with osteocalcin promoter activity in ROS 17/2.8 cells. Increased binding leads to a 2–3‐fold increase in transcription, while decreased binding results in transcription 30–40% of control. Second, homeodomain protein binding suppresses transcription. However, Msx expression is critical for full development of the bone phenotype as determined by antisense studies. Last, we show that one of the mutations of the OC box permits expression of osteocalcin in non‐osseous cell lines. In summary, we demonstrate association of at least two classes of tissue‐restricted transcription factors with the OC box element, the OCBP and Msx proteins, supporting the concept that these sequences contribute to defining tissue specificity. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Incidence of Severe Complications of Preeclampsia

Objectives. To examine the incidence of life-threatening (near-miss) complications, including hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome occurring in women with preeclampsia in the Grampian region of Scotland between 1981 and 2000. Subjects and Methods. All women who were resident in a geographically determined region (the Grampian region of Scotland) and who developed moderate to severe preeclampsia in the time period 1981 to 2000 were identified from the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank. All complications occurring antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum in these pregnancies were listed as International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and significant complications were identified from these. The cases of HELLP syndrome were identified by case note review. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Results. A total of 4188 cases of preeclampsia were identified over the 20-year period. Six percent (approx. 1 in 16) of preeclamptics developed one or more major systemic complications. The incidence of placental abruption and eclampsia was 2.8% and 1.65%, respectively. Hematological complications were most common, with reduced platelets accounting for about half of these cases; although, a definite diagnosis of HELLP syndrome could only be made in 13 cases over 20 years. After adjusting for gestational age, a woman was 1.14 times more likely to have a caesarean delivery (95% C.I. 1.08, 1.20) if she had complicated preeclampsia. She was also more likely to have a stillbirth [Odds Ratio (O.R.) = 1.45 (95% C.I. (confidence interval) 1.02, 2.29)] or a neonatal death [O.R. = 2.25 (95% C.I. 1.12, 4.260]. Conclusions. There has been a gradual decline in the rate of preeclampsia in the Grampian region of Scotland over the time period 1986 to 2000; although, the percentage of pre-eclamptics who developed one or more complications has not decreased appreciably. In fact, the incidence of eclampsia and placental abruption has increased in the most recent five years. The presence of complications in preeclampsia is associated with a poor neonatal outcome.
Behavior Coordination of Socially Interactive Robot using Sentiment Relation Model

Social capability of a robot becomes one of important issues in human-robot interaction (HRI). Especially, for a robot to form a social relationship with people is significant for improving believability of a robot through more natural communication with people. In this paper, we propose a formal approach to make a robot establish and learn a social relationship based on affective relation in sociological perspectives. The main idea is based on representing sentiment relation (liking/disliking) within social individuals, which is regarded as a basis for forming interpersonal relation in sociology. Our Sentiment Relation model can be applied to loyalty implementation of service robots in underlying assumptions that a service robot must have high positive relationship to her host and tends to behave to minimize tension(stress) by unbalanced states, which are generated by different affective states between individuals in social group. To confirm the possibility of our model, the reinforcement learning-based behavior coordination using loyalty level is simulated in the simple grid world.
Testing the Association Between Patient Safety Indicators and Hospital Structural Characteristics in VA and Nonfederal Hospitals

This study tested the association between hospital structural characteristics—teaching status, bedsize, and nurse staffing—and potentially preventable adverse events. The authors calculated 14 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) and a PSI composite, using discharge databases from VA and nonfederal hospitals. This study compared the likelihood of PSI events in hospitals, controlling for structural and other characteristics, including patients’ case-mix. Additional controls were employed to account for differences in VA versus nonfederal patients and data. The study found some associations, most notably a positive (unfavorable) association between status as a major teaching hospital and six PSIs. However, for most PSIs, the authors found no association between the structural characteristics tested and likelihood of PSI events. The study’s findings extend previous research showing a lack of consistent relationship between structural characteristics and patient safety. However, the results also suggest continued need for examination of the relationship between teaching status and potentially preventable adverse events.
Experimental Evaluation of the Effect on AC Loss of a Polygonal Arrangement in YBCO Assembled Conductors

The AC transport current loss in a YBCO polygonal arranged assembled conductor depends on its arrangement. The azimuthal magnetic field produced by the currents in neighboring tapes affects the current distribution in each tape, and it is anticipated that the AC loss reduction effect is greatest with a round form. To clarify the AC loss characteristics in a polygonal arranged YBCO assembled conductor, we investigated the influence of tape distances and the angle number in the polygon. To evaluate distance, we measured the AC losses in a YBCO hexagonally assembled conductor which was arranged with distances ranging from 0.2 mm-4.0 mm. To evaluate polygonal shapes, we compared YBCO polygonal assembled conductors which were arranged as a square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon or decagon at a distance of 0.5 mm. The experimental results show that the AC loss reduction effect is greatest when the polygon is arranged as a round shape.
Natural Entrainment without Dawn and Dusk: The Case of the European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)

Observational data collected in the field and in enclosures show that diurnal, burrow-dwelling European ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus) never were above ground during twilight at dawn or at dusk. The animals emerged on average 4.02 h (SD = 0.45) after civil twilight at dawn and retreated in their burrows on average 2.87 h (SD = 0.47) before civil twilight at dusk. Daily patterns of light perceived by these burrowing mammals were measured with light-sensitive radio collar transmitters in an enclosure (the Netherlands) and in the field (Hungary). The observational data are corroborated by the telemetry data, which show clear daily patterns of timing of light perception including light perceived from the burrow entrances. The first light was observed by the animals on average 3.54 h (enclosure, SD = 0.45) and 3.60 h (field, SD = 0.31) after civil twilight at dawn, whereas the final observed light was on average 3.04 h (enclosure, SD = 0.64) and 2.02 h (field, SD = 0.72) before civil twilight at dusk. Thus, the animals do not perceive the rapid natural light-dark (LD) transitions that occur at civil twilight. Instead, they generate their own pattern of exposure to light within the natural LD cycle. The classical phase response model for entrainment by light or dark pulses cannot explain how the circadian system of this species remains entrained to the external, natural LD cycle while the major LD transitions are created by its own behavior.
Complete Genome Sequencing and Genetic Characterization of Alkhumra Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Isolated from Najran, Saudi Arabia

Background: Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV) is a newly described flavivirus first isolated in 1994-1995 from the Alkhumra district south of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the virus was also isolated from Makkah (2001-2003) and Najran (2008-2009), Saudi Arabia. Methods: The full-length genome of an AHFV strain isolated from patients in Najran (referred to as AHFV/997/NJ/09/SA) was PCR amplified and sequenced, and compared with the sequences of 18 other AHFV strains previously isolated from Jeddah and Makkah, dengue virus (DENV), Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), Langat virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Results: The RNA of the AHFV/997/NJ/09/SA strain was found to have 10,546 nucleotides encoding for a single 3,416-amino acid polyprotein, whereas the previously reported AHFV strains were composed of 10,685-10,749 nucleotides. The AHFV/997/NJ/09/SA strain showed about 99% homology with the previously reported AHFV strains. The KFDV, Langat virus, TBEV, and OHFV isolates formed a separate cluster with a variable homology. The most important variations were observed in the core protein and NS4a gene sequences of two AHFV isolates. Conclusion: The variation in the number of nucleotides and phylogenetic analysis with the other AHFV isolates could have resulted from recombination of circulating virus strains.
Recent advances in immunotherapy of B-CLL using ex vivo modified dendritic cells

Abstract Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) results from the relentless accumulation of small mature, slowly dividing, monoclonal B-lymphocytes. The clinical course is heterogeneous, some patients with aggressive form of the disease progressing rapidly with early death while others exhibit a more stable, possibly, non-progressing indolent type of the disease lasting many years. Despite progress in modern treatment modalities, relapse invariably occurs and disease still remains incurable. The clinical management of CLL is therefore challenging and considerable effort has been directed towards novel therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing minimal residual disease which can increase remission duration. Recent insight into the role of dendritic cells (DCs) as pivotal antigen presenting cells that initiate immune responses may provide the basis for generating more specific and effective immune responses. Ex-vivo modified and monocyte-derived DCs represents a promising approach within the context of CLL. However, understanding the relationship between DCs and the cellular immune response is crucial in devising strategies for manipulating immune responses. After a brief survey of general properties of DCs, this review focuses on the different approaches exploiting monocyte-derived DCs in CLL, which may help to design novel strategies for phase-I clinical trials.
Experiences in automatic levelling of data flow diagrams

The data flow diagram (DFD) is a valuable tool in redocumentation of software systems, showing the interaction of programs and data. When drawn naively, DFDs are likely to be too large and dense to be of any practical use. Levelling of DFDs provides a logical approach to the production of manageable documentation. We consider the objectives addressed in the automatic creation of levelled diagrams from a given syntactical structure. We present techniques for automatic levelling by partitioning diagram processes based on graph connectivity, and grouping and scoping of data stores based on data flows. An extensive case study confirms the usefulness of the approach outlined.
Quantitative p24 Antigenaemia for Monitoring Response to Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-1 Group O-Infected Patients

Failure to recognize infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) group 0 variants has been described using both serological and genetic techniques. Moreover, the monitoring of response to antiretroviral therapy is difficult in persons carrying this infection since most currently available tests for quantifying viral load are not reliable for group 0 viruses. Considering the low level of divergence between the p24 proteins of group M and 0 viruses, we have examined whether the quantification of circulating p24 antigenaemia might be used as a surrogate marker of response to therapy in three subjects with HIV-1 group 0 infection treated with antiretroviral drugs. In summary, all three patients showed a significant decline in circulating plasma p24 antigenaemia, although only one achieved undetectable levels. The decline in p24 antigenaemia was parallel to an increase in the CD4 count and was associated with an improvement in clinical status.
Stable Fixed Points of Loopy Belief Propagation Are Local Minima of the Bethe Free Energy

We extend recent work on the connection between loopy belief propagation and the Bethe free energy. Constrained minimization of the Bethe free energy can be turned into an unconstrained saddle-point problem. Both converging double-loop algorithms and standard loopy belief propagation can be interpreted as attempts to solve this saddle-point problem. Stability analysis then leads us to conclude that stable fixed points of loopy belief propagation must be (local) minima of the Bethe free energy. Perhaps surprisingly, the converse need not be the case: minima can be unstable fixed points. We illustrate this with an example and discuss implications.
OMVis: a 3D network protocol visualization tool for OMNeT++

Simulation of networks is a well-known way to develop, understand, and evaluate network protocols and algorithms. Standard tools for analyzing simulations often utilize aggregated statistics, histograms and other types of plots. With the growing interest in mobile networks and their specific characteristics like energy restrictions, limited bandwidth and shared usage of the transmission medium, the spatio-temporal behavior of algorithms gets more and more important. In this paper we present OMVis, a complementary tool to traditional means of simulation analysis which focuses on the intuitive and spatio-temporal visualization of simulation traces. It provides 2D and 3D views to visualize node mobility, performance measurements, and properties of links between nodes. Multiple simulation runs and views can be shown in parallel for comparative protocol analysis and parameter studies. Various visualization cues, which may represent different simulation variables, offer convenient means to visualize a broad range of networks.
Intrinsic electron beam emittance from metal photocathodes: the effect of the electron effective mass.

A theoretical development of prior analyses, together with our solenoid scan measurements on eight planar metal photocathodes (Ag, Be, Cr, Cu, Mo, Sn, Ta, and W) and previous data on Mg [X. J. Wang, M. Babzien, R. Malone, and Z. Wu, in Proceedings of LINAC2002, Gyeongju, Korea, 2002 (Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang, Korea, 2002), pp. 142-144. ] indicate that the transverse momentum (and hence intrinsic emittance) of an electron beam is fundamentally dependent on the electron effective mass in the metal.
Molecular Typing of Japanese Field Isolates and Live Commercial Vaccine Strain of Mycoplasma synoviae Using Improved Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis and vlhA Gene Sequencing

Abstract In the present study, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and vlhA gene sequence analysis were applied and verified for typing the Mycoplasma synoviae live vaccine MS-H strain and field isolates from diseased chickens in Japan. The previously published PFGE protocol using SmaI digestion could not allow the discrimination of two of the 11 M. synoviae field isolates from the vaccine strain and had relatively low discrimination power (D = 0.885). On the other hand, our new PFGE protocols using BlnI and BamHI digestions as well as the vlhA sequence analysis allowed the discrimination of all 11 M. synoviae field isolates from the vaccine strain. In addition, these PFGE protocols using BlnI and BamHI digestions generated unique fragment patterns in epidemiologically unrelated isolates, including those with identical SmaI-digested patterns or vlhA gene sequences (D = 0.987 and 1.000, respectively), and generated indistinguishable or closely related patterns in epidemiologically related isolates. Therefore, we believe that they would be useful tools to determine whether M. synoviae clinical isolates from diseased chickens are derived from the vaccine strain or wild-type strain and to further elucidate the epidemiology of M. synoviae infection.
Relationships between Creatinine Clearances and Kt/V in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Critique of the Doqi Document

(DOQI) guidelines (1), weekly creatinine clearances on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at or above 60 Lll.73 m2, or a weekly Kt/V of at least 2.0, are recommended for ade q uate urea dialysis. For nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD), a weekly delivered PD dose should yield a total KtN of at least 2.2, and a weekl y total crea urea tinine clearance of at least 66 Lll.73 m2. For continu ous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD), a KtN urea of at least 2.1 and a weekly creatinine clearance of 63 LI 1.73 m2 are recommended. These recommendations are based in part on the Canada-USA (CANUSA) study to evaluate the relationship between the clearances in continuous dialysis and clinical outcomes. This study showed that mortality decreased as the total (renal plus dialysis) clearance increased (2). No leveling off of mortality was observed, although an independent effect of dialysis dose on survival was not demonstrated. The authors concluded the study with a statement: "Pending further studies to define optimal dialysis, it would appear reasonable to provide as high dialysis dose as is feasible with KtN urea of 2.1 or a creatinine clearance of 70 Llweek per 1.73 m2 considered a reasonable target. " It is important to realize that in the CANUSA study almost all patients had substantial residual renal function, because all patients were observed during the first 2 years of dialysis. All patients remained on four 2 L exchanges, thus variations in clearances were related mainly to residual renal function, and mortality was correlated with residual renal function rather than with dialysis prescription. It is not surprising that patients with better kidney function survived longer (3). However, there is no consensus regarding the conclusions of the study. Gotch (4) reanalyzed the results of the CANUSA study and concluded that the kinetic modeling predicts no decrease in mortality with Kt/V over 2.0. This conclusion is based on an analysis similar to that which followed the report of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study. In their analysis, Gotch and Sargent (5) rejected the notion that the results of dialysis continuously improve with the increased dose of dialysis, and concluded that Kt/V over 0.9 (or 1.0) in hemodialysis does not decrease dialysis failure rates. This conclusion proved to be wrong later. There is no proof of equivalency between renal and dialysis clearances, and it is not known whether crea tinine clearance or KtN is more hel p ful in clinical urea practice. In the CANUSA study, the renal contribu tion to creatinine clearance was calculated as the mean of creatinine clearance and urea clearance, to estimate creatinine clearance by glomerular filtration only (and to exclude tubular secretion). Renal creatinine clearance by glomerular filtration is much higher than renal urea clearance (due to urea reabsorption) in healthy and diseased kidneys. Therefore, if a patient loses residual renal function, the combined (peritoneal and renal) creatinine clearance decreases