Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on exercise and glycogen re-synthesis in skeletal muscles of pigs with the PRKAG3 mutation

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays an important role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle. Many pigs of Hampshire origin have a naturally occurring mutation situated in the PRKAG3 gene which encodes a muscle-specific isoform of the AMPK γ3-subunit. This mutation results in excessive glycogen storage mainly in white glycolytic skeletal muscle and an increased muscle oxidative capacity. This thesis examined the in vivo effect of the PRKAG3 mutation on skeletal muscles in association with exercise. The pigs performed standardised treadmill exercise tests before and after a 5-week training period. Muscle samples (m. biceps femoris) and blood samples were taken before and after exercise and in the recovery phase. Muscle samples from m. masseter, m. biceps femoris, m. semitendinosus and m. longissimus dorsi were taken after euthanasia. Glycogen content and its two fractions (proglycogen and macroglycogen), enzyme activity, fibre type characteristics and expression/phosphorylation of signalling proteins were analysed. Insulin, glucose, lactate and free fatty acid concentrations were analysed on the blood samples. Compared with non-carriers, carriers of the PRKAG3 mutation had higher macroglycogen content in skeletal muscles. At 3 h but not 6 h of recovery following exercise, re-synthesis of glycogen, especially of macroglycogen was higher in carriers than in non-carriers. The metabolic blood response did not differ between the genotypes. Expression of AMPK in muscle was lower in carriers than in non-carriers. The increased rate of glycogen synthesis following exercise in carriers was correlated with an increased signalling response of Akt and its substrate AS160 and a higher activity of hexokinase. This indicated increased glucose influx and phosphorylation of glucose, directed towards glycogen synthesis. The carriers had a lower percentage and relative area of type IIB fibres in m. biceps femoris and m. longissimus dorsi than non-carriers. In m. longissimus dorsi, carriers had a higher percentage of type IIAX fibres and higher citrate synthase activity. In conclusion, the PRKAG3 mutation influences, mainly the macroglycogen fraction and muscle characteristics in exercise-trained pigs, promoting varying degrees of oxidative phenotype in muscles with different functions.
On necessary optimality conditions in discrete control systems

The paper deals with a nonlinear discrete-time optimal control problem with a cost functional of terminal type. Using a new variation of the control and new properties of optimal controls, we prove the linearised optimality conditions extending such classical optimality conditions. Along with this, various optimality conditions of quasi-singular controls are obtained. Finally, the examples illustrating the rich content of the obtained results are illustrated.
Cost-efficient designs of cluster unit trials.

BACKGROUND Large field trials that randomize naturally occurring clusters such as communities, worksites, or schools are becoming widely accepted for evaluating complex interventions. The within-cluster measurement of individuals typically uses a cohort, followed throughout the trial or cross-sectional samples selected independently at each time point. The relative costs of these approaches is of concern in designing such trials. METHODS This paper takes the unified model for analyzing large cluster unit trials developed by Feldman and McKinlay (Stat Med 1993) and combines the resulting expression for the variance of the treatment effect with a simple cost function into an algorithm that produces the optimal trial design in terms of the number of clusters and the number of observations per cluster. Using the unified model developed in the prior paper, this algorithm also allows direct comparison of the cost of designs with equivalent precision. In particular, designs that use cohorts in each cluster unit and observe cohort members over time are contrasted with designs that draw independent cross-sectional samples from each cluster at each time point. RESULTS Using the algorithm and a realistic design problem, it is demonstrated that cohort designs are more cost efficient for short trials and high (> or = 0.75) autocorrelations. CONCLUSIONS The power of the algorithm in designing cost-efficient cluster unit trials is well demonstrated. Estimates of variance and cost components from prior trials need to be readily accessible for use in the algorithm, for planning subsequent trials.
Antibodies in Action: Role of Human Opsonins in Killing Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

ABSTRACT Although vaccines have been available for over a century, a correlate of protection for typhoid fever has yet to be identified. Antibodies are produced in response to typhoid infection and vaccination and are generally used as the gold standard for determining vaccine immunogenicity, even though their role in clearance of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infections is poorly defined. Here, we describe the first functional characterization of S. Typhi-specific antibodies following vaccination with a new vaccine, M01ZH09 (Ty2 ΔaroC ΔssaV). We determined that postvaccination sera increased the uptake of wild-type S. Typhi by human macrophages up to 2.3-fold relative to prevaccination (day 0) or placebo samples. These results were recapitulated using immunoglobulins purified from postvaccination serum, demonstrating that antibodies were largely responsible for increases in uptake. Imaging verified that macrophages internalized 2- to 9.5-fold more S. Typhi when the bacteria were opsonized with postvaccination sera than when the bacteria were opsonized with day 0 or placebo sera. Once inside macrophages, the survival of S. Typhi was reduced as much as 50% when opsonized with postvaccination sera relative to day 0 or placebo serum samples. Lastly, bactericidal assays indicated that antibodies generated postvaccination were recognized by complement factors and assisted in killing S. Typhi: mean postvaccination bactericidal antibody titers were higher at all time points than placebo and day 0 titers. These data clearly demonstrate that there are at least two mechanisms by which antibodies facilitate killing of S. Typhi. Future work could lead to improved immunogenicity tests associated with vaccine efficacy and the identification of correlates of protection against typhoid fever.
Genetic Heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Although autism is considered to be one of the most highly heritable psychiatric disorders, molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain largely unresolved. A strong genetic component underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been firmly established from various lines of studies ranging from whole genome scans to genetic association studies. Recent genomic advances have led to steep growth in the number of diverse genetic loci linked to ASD, including candidate genes containing rare or common variants, chromosomal aberrations, and submicroscopic copy number variations. Additionally, autism is consistently associated with a number of single gene mutation disorders such as Fragile X Syndrome. Most genetic variations fail to replicate between studies and populations, further complicating our understanding of ASD disease etiology. Here we review recent expansion of heterogeneity in the genetic landscape for ASD. First we define the types of genetic risk factors implicated in this disorder. We then comparatively analyze the pools of ASD candidate genes identified as of the end of years 2006 and 2010, profiling both their distribution and molecular function. We highlight bioinformatics tools for ASD which can be used to build and evaluate networks of ASD genes as the number of risk factors grows. Finally, we discuss the impact of genetic heterogeneity on theories of ASD pathogenesis.
Early performance assessment in component-based software systems

Most techniques used to assess the qualitative characteristics of software are done in testing phase of software development. Assessment of performance in the early software development process is particularly important to risk management. Software architecture, as the first product, plays an important role in the development of the complex software systems. Using software architecture, quality attributes (such as performance, reliability and security) can be evaluated at the early stages of the software development. In this study, the authors present a framework for taking the advantages of architectural description to evaluate software performance. To do so, the authors describe static structure and architectural behaviour of a software system as the sequence diagram and the component diagram of the Unified Modelling Language (UML), respectively; then, the described model is automatically converted into the ‘interface automata’, which provides the formal foundation for the evaluation. Finally, the evaluation of architectural performance is performed using ‘queuing theory’. The proposed framework can help the software architect to choose an appropriate architecture in terms of quality or remind him/her of making necessary changes in the selected architecture. The main difference among the proposed method and other methods is that the proposed method benefits the informal description methods, such as UML, to describe the architecture of software systems; it also enjoys a formal and lightweight language, called ‘interface automata’ to provide the infrastructure for verification and evaluation.
Medical observation, compared with parathyroidectomy, for asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a prospective, randomized trial.

CONTEXT The clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has changed during the last half century, and the diagnosis is now more often made by chance in patients with no specific symptoms. OBJECTIVE The present study is a randomized, controlled trial that investigates the effects of parathyroidectomy or medical observation in mild asymptomatic pHPT on morbidity and quality of life (QoL). DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS A total of 191 patients (26 men) with asymptomatic pHPT [mean age 64.2 +/- 7.4 (sd) yr] were recruited in the study and randomized to medical observation (serum calcium level 2.69 +/- 0.08 mmol/liter) or surgery (2.70 +/- 0.08 mmol/liter). We here report baseline and 1 (n = 119) and 2 yr data (n = 99) on those who had completed the follow-up visits by the end of the inclusion period. RESULTS At baseline, the patients had significantly lower QoL (SF-36) and more psychological symptoms, compared with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The two groups were similar at baseline, and no clinically significant changes in these parameters were seen during the observation time. Calcium and PTH normalized after surgery. The areal bone mineral density increased in the group randomized to operation, whereas the bone mineral density remained stable in the medical observation group. No change in kidney function (creatinine) or blood pressure was observed longitudinally or between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic patients with mild pHPT have decreased QoL and more psychological symptoms than normal controls. No benefit of operative treatment, compared with medical observation, was found on these measures so far.
Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The aim of the study was to assess the nutrition knowledge, nutrient intakes, and association between nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes of 98 adolescents attending five schools in rural Cofimvaba, South Africa. Measures included a socioeconomic questionnaire, two 24-hour-recall questionnaires, and food-frequency and nutrition knowledge questionnaires. The overall score for the multiple-choice section on general nutrition and the South African Food-Based Dietary Guidelines was 72.9%; 75.4% for correct identification of food groups; and 41.3% for correct identification of food portions/serving sizes. Median nutrient intakes, measured by 24-hour recall, failed to meet average requirements, with the exception of protein, carbohydrates, chromium, riboflavin, pantothenate, and vitamin K among girls. A similar trend was observed for boys. Lower total carbohydrate and fat and higher protein intakes were associated with a higher quartile score for nutrition knowledge. The study provided a valuable understanding of the association between nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes of adolescents.
Ultrasonic Gallbladder Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: Does Predialysis, Hemodialysis, or CAPD Affect it?

Background. There are contradictory reports about the prevalence of cholelithiasis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The pathogenesis of gallstones is associated with the lithogenic changes of bile composition, increased tendency to nucleation, and decreased gallbladder motility. The studies related to these factors can predict the development of cholelithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonic gallbladder function in CKD and to compare it in predialysis (PreD), hemodialysis (HD), and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods. Age, gender, and body mass index matched 49 CKD patients (14 PreD, 19 HD, 16 CAPD), and 17 control individuals were included in the study. Diabetic and cirrhotic patients were not included. Ultrasonic gallbladder volume was evaluated in pre- and postprandial period, and ejection fraction was calculated. We also measured several biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, Phosphorus, parathormone, albumin, total protein) in blood. Results. Preprandial gallbladder volume in PreD, HD, CAPD, and control groups were 26.7 ± 13.6, 20.8 ± 10.4, 23.2 ± 14.7, and 26.4 ± 14.8 mL, respectively (p > 0.05). Ejection fractions were 54.1 ± 22.9%, 54.9 ± 23.9%, 48.6 ± 15.9%, and 51.8 ± 19.2% in PreD, HD, CAPD, and control groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Serum triglyceride was higher in PreD patients than control group (207 ± 144 vs. 110 ± 48 mg/dL) (p < 0.05). Serum BUN, Cre, P, and PTH levels were higher in CKD groups than the control group, whereas serum total protein and albumin levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Serum Ca was lower in PreD and HD patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions. In conclusion, CKD and renal replacement therapy (HD and CAPD) do not affect gallbladder functions, but more studies are needed to evaluate prevalence of gallstones, gallbladder motility, and the composition of bile in CKD.
Control of plasma uric acid in adults at risk for tumor Lysis syndrome: efficacy and safety of rasburicase alone and rasburicase followed by allopurinol compared with allopurinol alone--results of a multicenter phase III study.

PURPOSE Rasburicase is effective in controlling plasma uric acid in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies. This study in adults evaluated safety of and compared efficacy of rasburicase alone with rasburicase followed by oral allopurinol and with allopurinol alone in controlling plasma uric acid. PATIENTS AND METHODS Adults with hematologic malignancies at risk for hyperuricemia and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) were randomly assigned to rasburicase (0.20 mg/kg/d intravenously days 1-5), rasburicase plus allopurinol (rasburicase 0.20 mg/kg/d days 1 to 3 followed by oral allopurinol 300 mg/d days 3 to 5), or allopurinol (300 mg/d orally days 1 to 5). Primary efficacy variable was plasma uric acid response rate defined as percentage of patients achieving or maintaining plasma uric acid ≤ 7.5 mg/dL during days 3 to 7. RESULTS Ninety-two patients received rasburicase, 92 rasburicase plus allopurinol, and 91 allopurinol. Plasma uric acid response rate was 87% with rasburicase, 78% with rasburicase plus allopurinol, and 66% with allopurinol. It was significantly greater for rasburicase than for allopurinol (P = .001) in the overall study population, in patients at high risk for TLS (89% v 68%; P = .012), and in those with baseline hyperuricemia (90% v 53%; P = .015). Time to plasma uric acid control in hyperuricemic patients was 4 hours for rasburicase, 4 hours for rasburicase plus allopurinol, and 27 hours for allopurinol. CONCLUSION In adults with hyperuricemia or at high risk for TLS, rasburicase provided control of plasma uric acid more rapidly than allopurinol. Rasburicase was well tolerated as a single agent and in sequential combination with allopurinol.
Crystal structure of the compound Pr 4 Ge 7

The structure of the binary germanide Pr4Ge7 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on a twinned crystal. It is an ordered vacancy derivative of the α-ThSi2 type, Pearson symbol oS44, space group C2221, a = 6.007(2), b = 13.987(4), c = 12.009(4) Å, isotypic to the structure reported earlier for Nd4Ge7. The cell parameters of seven other praseodymium germanides observed in samples annealed at 873 K were refined from powder X-ray diffraction data.
Analyzing human body shadowing at 60 GHz: Systematic wideband MIMO measurements and modeling approaches

This paper presents results of a systematic 2×2 MIMO channel measurement campaign, which has been carried out in order to analyze the impact of human body shadowing (HBS) on the 60 GHz wideband channel. A piecewise linear and two analytical models, namely the double knife-edge (DKE) model and a cylinder approach incorporating the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD), are used to approximate and to predict the measurement curves. We propose measures to quantify the degree of match between attenuation curves in the millimeter wave frequency band and use them to evaluate the model results with respect to different scenario groups. The presented results are beneficial to refine existing diffraction models regarding the prediction of HBS effects.
Comparison of the use of new handheld tonometers and established applanation tonometers in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To examine the practical aspects, accuracy, and reproducibility of 2 new automatic handheld tonometers in dogs and compare them with results for 2 established applanation tonometers. ANIMALS 15 freshly enucleated canine eyes for manometric evaluation and 20 conscious research dogs, 20 client-owned dogs, and 12 dogs with acute glaucoma for clinical tonometry. PROCEDURE Calibration curves were determined for all 4 tonometers on 15 enucleated canine eyes. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with each tonometer consecutively in conscious dogs, with the MacKay-Marg applanation tonometer as the reference device. Measurements were repeated in 20 sedated dogs. An induction-impact tonometer was evaluated clinically on dogs with acute glaucoma. Additionally, measurements obtained by an experienced and an inexperienced examiner and with or without use of topical anesthesia were compared. RESULTS The portable pneumatonometer was cumbersome and time-consuming. Compared with results for the reference applanation tonometer, and confirmed by manometry, the portable pneumatonometer increasingly underestimated actual IOP values with increasing IOP. The induction-impact tonometer provided accurate and reproducible measurement values. There was a significant strong correlation between the IOP values obtained by the 2 examiners (r2, 0.82) and also with or without topical anesthesia (r2, 0.86). In dogs with glaucoma, the fitted line comparing values for the reference applanation tonometer and induction-impact tonometer closely resembled an ideal 1:1 relationship. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of the portable pneumatonometer in dogs appears to have disadvantages. The induction-impact tonometer appears to provide a promising alternative to the use of applanation tonometers in dogs.
Effective voltage and frequency control strategy for a stand-alone system with induction generator/fuel cell/ultracapacitor

This paper proposes the control scheme for an ac-linked hybrid wind/fuelcell/ultracapacitor alternative energy system for a stand-alone operation. Due to the intermittent nature of power obtained from the wind turbine-generator system, Hydrogen/fuelcell(H2/FC) and ultracapacitor(UC)are introduced as main storage and buffer storage respectively, to supply the demand for all operating conditions. Fuelcell, by virtue of its inherent slow generator dynamics, cannot provide the load transient mitigation during the peak load and rapid load changing conditions. Introduction of an UC bank with FC can overcome the drawback, in the way that the UC takes care of the fast transient and the FC supplies the steady state and slower transient. The proposed system introduces an alternate control methodology which doesn't necessitate the commonly used bi-directional power flow controller for UC interface, thereby releasing the burden of extra converter. Moreover, the scheme also provides the direct voltage and frequency regulation of inverter interfaced hybrid generators system. Simulation results, using matlab/simulink® environment based upon mathematical and dynamic electrical models, are also presented to validate the proposed scheme.
Modified artificial wolf pack optimization for optimal power flow

This paper introduces an effective and excellent heuristic optimization approach to determine optimal power flow (OPF) problem solution. The optimization technique named modified artificial wolf pack optimization (MAWPO) algorithm is utilized for finest setting of control variables of OPF. This metaheuristic optimization method is inspired by hunting process of wolves. The proposed method has been applied on IEEE 9-bus, IEEE 14-bus and IEE 30-bus test system. The simulation results obtained is compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO) method and a conventional method, which suggests that the proposed method gives best optimal power flow solution amongst all the other reported optimization approaches. Simulation is performed on MATLAB R2016a platform.
Adaptive optimistic simulation of multi-agent systems

Simulation is an important tool for designers of multi-agent systems allowing them to learn more about the behaviour of a system or to investigate the implications of alternative agent architectures. A key issue for agent simulation is that of scalability, as agents are themselves often complex systems (e.g., with sensing, planning, inference etc. capabilities), requiring considerable computational resources. One way to address scalability issues is the application of Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) techniques to multi-agent systems (MAS). Synchronisation of parallel discrete event simulations has long been established as a difficult problem and despite many years of research no one synchronisation method has been shown to work for all types of application. The goal of synchronisation is to ensure the events of a parallel discrete event simulation are processed so as the result of the simulation is the same as the equivalent sequential simulation. This thesis presents a series of synchronisation mechanisms for optimistic simulation of multi-agent systems and in particular for the PDES-MAS framework. The thesis develops a model of accesses to the shared state of an optimistic PDES of MAS which exploits the read/write pattern of agent behaviour to reduce rollback and provide efficient state saving. Two adaptive synchronisation algorithms are then presented. The first of these algorithms uses the notion of critical accesses and a window based throttling mechanism to constrain execution of LPs. The second uses a decision theoretic approach to delay incoming read events which are likely to be rolled back. The effectiveness of these algorithms is then investigated experimentally using the ASSK kernel with a range of different multi-agent simulations. The algorithms are shown to provide significant reduction in rollbacks for a variety of different cases.