Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: relationship with serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines

Objective: A cross-sectional study of 30 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) was performed to analyse the health-related quality of life and its relationship with serum levels of macrophage- and lymphocyte-derived cytokines. Patients and methods: Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and gamma-interferon (γ-INF) were analysed by a sandwich immunoassay-based protein array system. Results: Each of the eight scales of the SF-36 evaluating quality of life, as well as the physical composite score (PCS) and the mental composite score (MCS), showed a decrease in pSS patients. Similarly, patients with pSS showed significantly increased concentrations of each of the five cytokines analysed, when compared with the healthy control group (n = 20). In pSS patients, a significant negative correlation was detected between serum levels of IL-6 and the PCS of the SF-36. Those patients with concentrations of IL-6 higher than those of the healthy controls showed a significantly lower score in the dimensions of bodily pain and physical functioning, and in the PCS. Conclusions: Patients with pSS showed increased levels of several macrophage- and lymphocyte-derived cytokines, indicating the existence of an immune activation state. Serum levels of one of these cytokines, IL-6, were correlated with poor quality of life in these individuals.
Heterologiniu baltymu produkcija panaudojant S. cerevisiae ekspresijos sistema

* Corresponding author. E-mail: elena.serviene@botanika.lt In the present work, yeast expression vectors bearing either thioredoxin-encoding gene fused with Abeta peptide (trx-ab) or its mutant sequence or glucose dehydrogenase gene fused with Abeta (GDH-ab) under the control of galactose-inducible CYC1-GAL promoter were constructed. After a successful transformation of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, 3PMR-1, 21PMR and α’1 the eukaryotic producents of the hybrid proteins were isolated. Analysis of stability of heterologous expression plasmids indicated a 90–95% maintenance of auxotrophic markers and only 50% of that of trx-ab or GDH-ab genes. Optimization of cultivation allowed a synthesis of ~20 μg of thioredoxin-Abeta and GDH-Abeta proteins from 1 g of wet yeast biomass.
Aalborg Universitet Flexible Local Load Controller for Fast ElectricVehicle Charging Station Supplemented with Flywheel Energy Storage System

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is hitting the stage where its impact on performance and operation of power systems becomes more and more pronounced. Aiming to utilize the existing power distribution infrastructure and delay its expansion, an approach that includes installation of dedicated flywheel energy storage system (FESS) within the charging station and compensating some of the adverse effects of high power charging is explored in this paper. Although sharing some similarities with vehicle to grid (V2G) technology, the principal advantage of this strategy is the fact that many types of ancillary services can be provided to the grid without affecting the charging patterns of EV batteries, thus prolonging their lifetime and increasing the drivers’ comfort level at the same time. Additionally, since the strategy is designed with a distributed bus signaling (DBS) method, it enables the operation without dedicated communication technologies, while allowing easy expandability and inherent plug and play functionality. This paper focuses on a near-future scenario with a high number of fast charging stations spread across the power system that impact the systems real time regulation capability. As a demonstrative example, a particular system-level control algorithm has been tailored towards to specific configuration of the fast charging station used in this paper, which includes FESS. Algorithm has been developed in Matlab/Simulink and compiled to real-time simulation platform dSPACE 1103. Corresponding simulation results have been reported in order to verify the validity of proposed approach.
Scoparia dulcis, a traditional antidiabetic plant, protects against streptozotocin induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The experiments were performed on normal and experimental male Wistar rats treated with Scoparia dulcis plant extract (SPEt). The effect of SPEt was tested on streptozotocin (STZ) treated Rat insulinoma cell lines (RINm5F cells) and isolated islets in vitro. Administration of an aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis by intragastric intubation (po) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the blood glucose and lipid peroxidative marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) with significant increase in the activities of plasma insulin, pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in streptozotocin diabetic rats at the end of 15 days treatment. Streptozotocin at a dose of 10 μg/mL evoked 6‐fold stimulation of insulin secretion from isolated islets indicating its insulin secretagogue activity. The extract markedly reduced the STZ‐induced lipidperoxidation in RINm5F cells. Further, SPEt protected STZ‐mediated cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production in RINm5F cells. Treatment of RINm5F cells with 5 mM STZ and 10 μg of SPEt completely abrogated apoptosis induced by STZ, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. Flow cytometric assessment on the level of intracellular peroxides using fluorescent probe 2′7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF‐DA) confirmed that STZ (46%) induced an intracellular oxidative stress in RINm5F cells, which was suppressed by SPEt (21%). In addition, SPEt also reduced (33%) the STZ‐induced apoptosis (72%) in RINm5F cells indicating the mode of protection of SPEt on RIN m5Fcells, islets, and pancreatic β‐cell mass (histopathological observations). Present study thus confirms antihyperglycemic effect of SPEt and also demonstrated the consistently strong antioxidant properties of Scoparia dulcis used in the traditional medicine. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18:261–272, 2004 Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20035
The Symptoms of Chronic Schizophrenia

ies together support the validity of three separate phenomenological factors within schizophrenia, and prompts speculation that these factors might show greater concurrent validity vis a vis putative patho logical processes than has been the case so far for other clinically-based syndromes in use, viz the posi tive and negative syndromes. In this regard we have further evidence supporting the validity of the â€ ̃¿ disor ganisation syndrome' which we more simply called the â€ ̃¿ thought disorder factor' (TDF) (Pandurangi etal,1988). In our study,TDF was significantly correlated with the ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) measured by computerised tomography (r= â€”¿ 0.37, P< 0.03) but the positive and negative symptoms factors were not. This relation with VBR is opposite to that proposed for the â€ ̃¿ negative syndrome' (Liddle's psychomotor poverty syndrome) by Crow et al(1982). Moreover, TDF was significantly corre lated with language dysfunction (r= â€”¿ 0.58, P<0.005), memory dysfunction (r= â€”¿ 0.61, P<0.005), and global neuropsychological deficit (r= â€”¿ 0.41, P<0.05), while other symptom factors were not correlated with any of the neuropsycho logical scales. Our studies, together with the studies of formal thoughtdisorderreviewedby Dr Liddle, wouldsupporttheargumentthat theTDF (disorga nisation syndrome) merits a syndromal status separate from the positive and the negative symptom complexes. There is another important area of convergence between Dr Liddle's study and ours; namely the loading of both positive and negative formal thought disorders on the same factor. This suggests that in vestigators who split symptoms of formal thought disorder and assign these to positive and negative syndromes may in fact be introducing â€ ̃¿ noise' into their assessments, reducing the chance of observing significant relationships of biological variables with those from the symptom domain. R. RAILTON Even though an ocean of difference in the diag nostic approach to schizophrenia might have separ ated us in the past, this convergence of findings is reassuring: accurate description of phenomena and appropriate techniques will help us discern meaningful subtypes within the schizophrenic syndrome.
Banking Relationships, Managerial Ownership and Operational Performance: A Simultaneous Equations Approach in the Context of SMEs

This paper provides new evidence for the relationship between the nature of banking relationships, managerial ownership and operational performance in supporting reciprocal effects between these variables in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A simultaneous equations model was applied to a sample of 4,163 Portuguese SMEs and to cross-section data. Evidence was found that these attributes provide simultaneous relations among themselves. In particular, on the one hand, our results support a negative effect of the number of banks with which the company works and managerial ownership on operational performance. On the other hand, the number of banks with which the company maintains a relationship is positively conditioned by operational performance and negatively by managerial ownership. In turn, managerial ownership is negatively conditioned by operational performance and the nature of the banking relationship.
An Advanced Orbital Spacecraft Cost Model

A model is needed for estimating the costs of orbital spacecraft lying 10-15 years, or more, into the future. Such a model likely could not anticipate the nature of changes in technology and system configurations over this time span. We therefore chose to focus on macroscopic trends, using a short list of high level technical and performance variables obtained for a great many past missions. A number of modeling approaches were evaluated. To gauge models' predictive accuracy, while by necessity calibrating them on past data, they were tested on missions lying as far into the future as practical. We found several approaches that could usually estimate within about 50% of actual final cost with no apparent degradation over time.
Stimuli-responsive microfiber-bundle actuator with hierarchical alignment

This paper describes a stimuli-responsive microfiber-bundle actuator that has hierarchical alignment from molecular scale to macroscopic scale. We succeeded in aligning the orientation of molecular scale polymer chains in the stimuli-responsive hydrogel microfiber, which enhances the shrinkage of axial direction of the microfiber. We also bundled the microfibers and constructed a macro-scale bundled microfiber. The actuation of the bundled microfiber was confirmed by stimulating with temperature. We believe that this approach could enhance the performance of functional polymer materials for applications such as biomimetic actuators and soft robots.
Validation of a brief stigma-by-association scale for use with HIV/AIDS-affected youth in South Africa

Abstract This study validated a brief stigma-by-association scale for use with South African youth (adapted from the HIV Stigma-by-Association Scale for Adolescents). Participants were 723 youth (364 male, 359 female) from poor urban communities around Cape Town. Youths completed the brief stigma-by-association scale and measures of bullying victimisation and peer-problems, as well as inventories measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exploratory analyses revealed that the scale consists of two subscales: (1) experience of stigma-by-association and (2) consequences of stigma-by-association. This two factor structure was obtained in the full sample and both the HIV/AIDS-affected and unaffected subgroups. The full stigma-by-association scale showed excellent reliability (α = 0.89–0.90) and reliabilities for both subscales were also good (α = 0.78–0.87). As predicted, children living in HIV/AIDS-affected households obtained significantly higher stigma-by-association scores than children in non-affected households [F(1, 693) = 46.53, p<0.001, partial η 2=0.06] and hypothesized correlations between stigma-by-association, bullying, peer problems, depression and anxiety symptoms were observed. It is concluded that the brief stigma-by-association scale is a reliable and valid instrument for use with South African youth; however, further confirmatory research regarding the structure of the scale is required.
DIGITAL COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM DURING RAPID EYE MOVEMENT SLEEP STATE IN MAN

To answer the question of whether the scalp-recorded electroencephalo-graphical (EEG) pattern of the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (paradoxical sleep) can be diseriminated from the drowsiness state and awakening state, the visually identified, artifact-free, digital computer-analyzed EEG samples of these three stages in seven volunteers were compared for each person as well as for the entire group. Statistical evaluation (analysis of variance and diseriminant function) of the quantitative EEG measures demonstrated that the REM period is characterized by a low voltage EEG with less alpha activity and more slow and very fast activity than the awakening and the drowsiness states. Since these kinds of EEG alterations have been observed, particularly after anticholinergic “hallucinogenic” drugs, and since the increase of fast activity during anticholinergic drug-induced “delirium” is related to an increase of perceptual disturbances, a relationship between increased fast waves and an increase of mental activity during sleep (dream) has been postulated.
Long-Term Psychiatric Morbidity in the Aftermath of CS Spray Trauma

The physical effects of CS spray are well documented. However, less is known about the impact of its use by the police on the psychological health of those exposed. In this study we explored the psychiatric morbidity of a group of 30 individuals who experienced the same trauma, a significant part of which was exposure to CS spray. Just over a quarter suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. It is proposed that more attention needs to be paid to the psychological effects of the use of CS spray by the police. Consistent with other studies, a past psychiatric history and a more external locus of control was associated with post-traumatic morbidity. The latter finding may have implications for psychological interventions after exposure to trauma.
Service modeling method for machine-to-machine businesses to overcome difficulties

With the popularization of high-speed and high-capacity communication networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication has received significant attention. However, although the related technologies have been actively investigated, creating new businesses based on M2M communication is difficult. The information and communication technology community should take not only system modeling but also business modeling into account for monetization. This study proposes a service design and modeling method of M2M businesses based on the SCAI (Share-Connect-Analyze-Identify) model, which was proposed in PICMET 2014 [10]. The proposed method is explained using a trial application to smart home M2M services.
Efficient Class-E design for inductive powering wireless biotelemetry applications

This paper introduces a modified an efficient design for different Class-E power amplifiers suitable to be use in biomedical implantable devices and in biomedical wireless telemetry devices which is usually have a small load resistor (several Ohms) due to its inductive powering. The different Class-E amplifiers operated according to the frequency chart for the medical implant communications service (MICS) 27 MHZ, and industrial scientific and medical (ISM) (13.56 MHZ), and low frequency 125-135 KHZ. The results show that the proposed class-E design could use the same values of C1, C2, L2 for small and optimum load resistor with high efficient more than 80% All these three class-E power amplifiers will be presents in this work and will be simulate with the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment, and for further verification all the circuits will be simulated with electronics workbench MULTISIM 9.
Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Dementia: A Hospital-Based Study from Southern India

Background/Aims: To evaluate the ApoE gene polymorphism among patients with dementia from southern India. Methods: Persons with dementia attending a geriatric clinic in a hospital setting located in southern India and matched controls were recruited. All subjects were evaluated on standard assessments and were diagnosed according to the ICD-10; genotyping was done at the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) locus. Results: The study comprised 212 cases and 195 controls. The ApoE4 allele was significantly more prevalent in dementia (λ = 0.18 vs. λ = 0.07; p = 0.0018), especially in the Alzheimer’s disease subgroup (n = 137; λ = 0.21 vs. λ = 0.07; p < 0.001), with a trend in vascular dementia subtype (n = 31; λ = 0.17 vs. λ = 0.07) in comparison with the control group. ApoE4 carrier status did not differ between the other dementia group (n = 44) and controls (p > 0.20), or between the Alzheimer’s group and vascular dementia groups. Cognitive and functional deficits were not correlated to the presence ApoE4 polymorphism in the dementia group. Conclusion: The study confirmed the positive association of the ApoE4 polymorphism in dementia, both in the Alzheimer’s and vascular etiology subgroups. Influence of this polymorphism on various clinical phenotypes, including extent of cognitive and functional deficits, needs further evaluation.
Relevancy-Scaled Deep Co-Attentive Networks for Question Answering

Question answering is a task in artificial intelligence oriented towards building machines that can understand a given passage and then answer different types of questions about the passage. Effective question answering poses practical implications for automating important knowledge discovery and information retrieval systems; for instance, improved question answering systems could augment the ability of physicians to practice evidence-based clinical medicine. Initial attempts at standardizing the evaluation of QA systems have produced benchmark datasets that lack either the volume necessary to train complex deep learning models – a flaw of small yet high-quality human-annotated datasets (CITE) – or the diversity of question-answer types that require multiple modes of logical reasoning flaw of automatically generated datasets (CITE). Rajurkar et al. used crowdsourcing to generate a dataset significantly larger than previous hand-annotated question-answer datasets, which presents a salient opportunity for furthering research in the field of question answering. In this paper, we attempt to construct a performant model for question answering using the SQuAD dataset.
Mechanical, Physical, and Physiological Analysis of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Combat

Abstract Suárez, VJC and Pérez, JJR. Mechanical, physical, and physiological analysis of symmetrical and asymmetrical combat. J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2420–2426, 2013—In current theaters of operation, soldiers had to face a different situation as symmetrical (defined battlefield) and asymmetrical combat (non-defined battlefield), especially in urban areas. The mechanical and organic responses of soldiers in these combats are poorly studied in specific literature. This research aimed to analyze physical, mechanical, and physiological parameters during symmetrical and asymmetrical combat simulations. We analyzed 20 soldiers from the Spanish Army and Spanish Forces and Security Corps (34.5 ± 4.2 years; 176.4 ± 8.4 cm; 74.6 ± 8.7 kg; 63.3 ± 8.0 kg muscular mass; 7.6 ± 3.2 kg fat mass) during a symmetric combat (traditional combat simulation) and during an asymmetrical combat (urban combat simulation). Heart rate (HR), speed, sprints, distances, impact, and body load parameters were measured by a GPS system and a HR belt. Results showed many differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical combat. Asymmetrical combat presented higher maximum velocity movement, number of sprints, sprint distance, and average HR. By contrary, symmetric combat presented higher number of impact and body load. This information could be used to improve specific training programs for each type of combat.
Students' physical and psychological reactions to forensic dissection: Are there risk factors?

The reactions of students to forensic dissection encompass psychologico‐emotional and physical components. This exploratory study aimed to determine risk factors for students' adverse physical and psychological reactions to forensic dissection. All sixth‐year medical students (n = 304) attending the compulsory practical course in forensic medicine in the 2005–2006 academic year were asked to complete a questionnaire at the conclusion of the five‐day course. The questionnaire surveyed physical and psychological reactions (outcomes) and 47 student traits, beliefs, and behaviors (risk factors) that might predispose to adverse reactions. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression yielded five independent risk factors for negative psychological reactions: female gender, stereotypic beliefs about forensic pathologists, a less cognitive and more emotional frame of mind relative to forensic dissection, more passive coping strategies, and greater fear of death. The sole independent risk factor for physical symptoms was a less cognitive/more emotional approach to dissection. Students' reactions to forensic dissection integrate a host of inherent and dissection‐related risk factors, and future interventions to improve this aspect of medical education will need to take into account the complexities underlying students' experiences with dissection. Anat Sci Educ. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.
Visual Perception Preserving Decolorization Method

This paper presents a decolorization method using gradient and saliency as the maintained features in the conversion to preserve the local and global visual perception. First, we construct a linear parametric mapping function of RGB color channels. Then, we calculate the feature value of each pixel in the color image and the parameterized grayscale image, the feature value integrates the pixel gradient and region saliency. Finally, we search for the parameters which can get the minimum of the total differences between the feature values of color and grayscale images, and substitute into the linear parametric function to get the decolorization result. To enhance the efficiency of getting the best parameters, we properly relax the strict computation formulas of the gradient and saliency to construct a linear least square problem, and obtain the optimal parameters by solving optimization. Experimental results show that our method using the discrete searching strategy can maintain the contrasts meanwhile avoid the excessive enlargement of the contrasts during the color-to-gray conversion, this property guarantees the preserving of the visual perception. Our method using the linear least square strategy can reduce the computation time and frequently get the similar results with our discrete searching method.