Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decrease of Perforin Expressing Lymphocytes after On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery Irrespective of Carbohydrate Preoperative Oral Feeding.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery continues to be the gold standard for treating the patients with coronary artery disease. CABG surgery can be performed on or off cardiopulmonary bypass, termed as on-pump or off-pump CABG, respectively. It has been shown that CABG surgery, preferably on-pump CABG surgery, leads to the changes of cell immunity during perioperative and early postoperative period. The mechanisms of regulation of the immune response in patients during and early after surgical revascularization are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding on frequency and perforin expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients after on- or off-pump CABG surgery in early postoperative period. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective clinical study, 80 patients scheduled for CABG surgery were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated into four groups (20 in each group): patients in Group 1 underwent on-pump CABG and did not receive carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding; patients in Group 2 underwent on-pump CABG and were preoperatively fed; patients in Group 3 underwent off-pump CABG and did not receive carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding; while patients in Group 4 underwent off-pump CABG and received carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding. Blood samples were collected immediately before (T1), 24 (T2) and 72 (T3) hours after the surgery. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by gradient centrifugation and simultaneously labelled by antigens using fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Frequency of T lymphocytes, NK and NKT cells, their subsets as well as their perforin expression were detected, and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS There was significant decrease in frequency of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ cells, as well as perforin expressing CD3+CD8+ cells in patients who underwent on-pump CABG in comparison to patients who underwent off-pump CABG 24 hours after the surgery. Carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding did not effect changes in lymphocytes subpopulations and perforin expression at any time point. CONCLUSION Decreases of CD3+ cells on account of CD3+CD4+ subsets, and perforin expressing cells on account of CD3+CD8+ perforin+ cells were found in patients who had undergone on-pump CABG, but not in patients who had undergone off-pump CABG surgery, irrespectively of carbohydrate preoperative oral feeding.
Total and regional body fat status among children and young people with cerebral palsy: A scoping review

The purpose of our scoping review was to determine if children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP) have elevated total or regional body fat compared to children and young people without CP. Databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Ovid, CINHAL and Scopus) were systematically searched from 1 January 1993 to 7 December 2018 in order to identify articles that compared weight status, total body fat or regional body fat (eg, abdominal) between children and young people (0‐21 years) with and without CP. Extracted data included country, subject characteristics, group sample sizes and matching strategies, methods/measures for weight status/fat depot, fat depot(s) assessed and key findings. Twenty‐two studies were included. Of these, 19 studies examined total body fat; the most common method was use of anthropometrics and the more common measures were body mass index and skin‐fold thickness. Twelve studies examined at least one regional fat depot; the most common method was use of anthropometrics and the most common measure was skin‐fold thickness. Findings were inconsistent across studies. Further, among 10 studies that examined total and regional body fat depots, 8 found differences across fat depots within the same children and young people (eg, no difference in total body fat but higher abdominal fat). This review provides a summary of inconsistent findings from published studies on body fat comparisons between children and young people with vs without CP, highlights limitations for evaluating body fat for children with CP and discusses future research directions.
Improving software investments through requirements validation

IT organizations are increasingly being expected to provide business solutions faster and with better return on investments (ROIs). Their limited technology focus on software fails to deliver predictable, relevant and cost effective solutions. The electronic customer contact management (eccm) toolkit was designed to rectify the most pervasive problem in software development that is, the known fact that requirements specifications are always incomplete, inaccurate and wrong. The toolkit was used to implement a human-centric solution in a wireless center. The solution was driven by productivity improvements in center operations and not by technology. The solution produced measurable improvements in the robustness and effectiveness of center operations, providing the business an ROI of less than 18 months. The eccm toolkit tackles this business challenge by delivering: validated software requirements in areas such as service, operations and marketing while guaranteeing the investment's ROI through faster cycle times (e.g., one software release per week or faster); tools required by work center management to professionally manage both center resources and enhancements to the team's process-maturity level; and effective change management capabilities to maintain center productivity during the ongoing demand for new capabilities. This need became apparent only after the software bottleneck was eliminated.
The expression of keratan sulfate reveals a unique subset of microglia in the mouse hippocampus after pilocarpine‐induced status epileptics

Induction of keratan sulfate in microglia has been found in several animal models of neurological disorders. However, the significance of keratan sulfate‐expressing microglia is not fully understood. To address this issue, we analyzed the characteristics of microglia labeled by the 5D4 epitope, a marker of high‐sulfated keratan sulfate, in the mouse hippocampus during the latent period after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Only 5D4‐negative (5D4−) microglia were found in the CA1 region of vehicle‐treated controls and pilocarpine‐treated mice at 1 day after SE onset. A few 5D4+ microglia appeared in the strata oriens and radiatum at 5 days post‐SE, and they were distributed into the stratum pyramidale at 14 days post‐SE. The expressions of genes related to both anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory cytokines were higher in 5D4+ cells than in 5D4− cells at 5 but not 14 days post‐SE. The expressions of genes related to phagocytosis were higher in 5D4+ cells than in 5D4− cells throughout the latent period. The phagocytic activity of microglia, as measured by engulfment of the zymosan bioparticles, was higher in 5D4+ cells than in 5D4− cells. The contact ratios between excitatory synaptic boutons and microglia were also higher in 5D4+ cells than in 5D4− cells at 5 and 14 days post‐SE. The excitatory/inhibitory ratios of synaptic boutons within the microglial domain were lower in 5D4+ cells than in 5D4− cells at 14 days post‐SE. Our findings indicate that 5D4+ microglia may play some role in epileptogenesis via pruning of excitatory synapses during the latent period after SE.
Impact of jamming criticality on low-temperature anomalies in structural glasses

Significance The thermodynamics of glasses (disordered solids) exhibits experimentally a universal behavior upon cooling below 10 K that is very different from regular solids. Theoretical interpretations of this discrepancy are notably hard to vindicate from first principles. Here, through the analytic solution of a simple microscopic model of a glass, we propose an alternative scenario to quantum tunneling between similar energy states. We suggest that the anomalous scaling gets broader in temperature range as the system is uncompressed toward the jamming transition where, classically, soft spherical particles would be in contact in their ground state. This scaling is thus most easily detected close to jamming and fades out away from it. We present a mechanism for the anomalous behavior of the specific heat in low-temperature amorphous solids. The analytic solution of a mean-field model belonging to the same universality class as high-dimensional glasses, the spherical perceptron, suggests that there exists a cross-over temperature above which the specific heat scales linearly with temperature, while below it, a cubic scaling is displayed. This relies on two crucial features of the phase diagram: (i) the marginal stability of the free-energy landscape, which induces a gapless phase responsible for the emergence of a power-law scaling; and (ii) the vicinity of the classical jamming critical point, as the cross-over temperature gets lowered when approaching it. This scenario arises from a direct study of the thermodynamics of the system in the quantum regime, where we show that, contrary to crystals, the Debye approximation does not hold.
A Confocal Reflection Super‐Resolution Technique to Image Golgi‐Cox Stained Neurons

Metal‐based Golgi‐Cox (GC) staining is an established method used to visualise neurons with great morphological detail. Although GC stained samples are imaged routinely under transmitted light microscopy, this method is unable to yield information on the three‐dimensional structure of dendrites and neurons and thus help reveal the connective properties of the central nervous system. Although a few studies have attempted simultaneous visualisation of GC staining and antigen‐specific fluorescent labelling under a confocal reflection technique, the resolution of both confocal reflection and fluorescence modalities used to acquire GC reflection and fluorescently stained antibody signals are still limited by the diffraction limit of light at about 220 nm. Here, we report a confocal reflection super‐resolution technique (CRSR) to break this diffraction barrier, which is achieved by minimising the pinhole size from 1 airy unit (AU) to 0.1 AU. This is achieved by minimising or closing the confocal pinhole size and is possible in this reflection modality, unlike fluorescence, because it is not a photon limited technique. Utilising the lowest wavelength of light available in the system (405 nm), the CRSR technique results in ∼30% lateral and axial resolution improvement. We also show that the CRSR technique can be used in conjunction to visualise both GC and immunofluorescence targets to create precise and improved three‐dimensional visualisation and analysis. In addition, using these superresolution confocal reflection data sets from GC in CRSR mode significantly reduced the data overestimation, improving the accuracy of statistical analysis of dendritic spine density and average spine dimensions. Combining the 0.1 AU setting with deconvolution routines, the signal‐to‐noise ratio and resolution could further be improved an additional ∼20–25%, yielding CRSR images with resolutions up to 2‐fold over the diffraction limit both laterally and axially. The improved precision of both visualisation and quantification of subdiffraction limited dendritic spines using the CRSR technique may prove to be critical in investigations that concern changes in detailed neuron morphology under central nervous system disease conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
Quaternion-Based Kalman Filter for AHRS Using an Adaptive-Step Gradient Descent Algorithm

This paper presents a quaternion-based Kalman filter for real-time estimation of the orientation of a quadrotor. Quaternions are used to represent rotation relationship between navigation frame and body frame. Processing of a 3-axis accelerometer using Adaptive-Step Gradient Descent (ASGD) produces a computed quaternion input to the Kalman filter. The step-size in GD is set in direct proportion to the physical orientation rate. Kalman filter combines 3-axis gyroscope and computed quaternion to determine pitch and roll angles. This combination overcomes linearization error of the measurement equations and reduces the calculation cost. 3-axis magnetometer is separated from ASGD to independently calculate yaw angle for Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS). This AHRS algorithm is able to remove the magnetic distortion impact. Experiments are carried out in the small-size flight controller and the real world flying test shows the proposed AHRS algorithm is adequate for the real-time estimation of the orientation of a quadrotor.
Encyclopedia of Data Warehousing and Mining

"The Encyclopedia of Data Warehousing and Mining" provides a comprehensive, critical and descriptive examination of concepts, issues, trends, and challenges in this rapidly expanding field of data warehousing and mining (DWM). This encyclopedia consists of more than 350 contributors from 32 countries, 1,800 terms and definitions, and more than 4,400 references. This authoritative publication offers in-depth coverage of evolutions, theories, methodologies, functionalities, and applications of DWM in such interdisciplinary industries as healthcare informatics, artificial intelligence, financial modeling, and applied statistics, making it a single source of knowledge and latest discoveries in the field of DWM.
Genomic and transcriptomic characterization of papillary microcarcinomas with lateral neck lymph node metastases.

CONTEXT Most papillary microcarcinomas (PMC) are indolent and subclinical, however as many as 10% can present with clinically significant nodal metastases. OBJECTIVE/DESIGN Characterization of the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of PMC presenting with or without clinically significant lymph node metastases. SUBJECTS/SAMPLES Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded PMC samples from 40 patients with lateral neck nodal metastases (pN1b) and 71 PMC patients with documented absence of nodal disease (pN0). OUTCOME MEASURE(S) To interrogate DNA alterations in 410 genes commonly mutated in cancer and test for differential gene expression using a custom NanoString panel of 248 genes selected primarily based on their association with tumor size and nodal disease in the papillary thyroid cancer TCGA project. RESULTS The genomic landscapes of PMC with or without pN1b were similar. Mutations in TERT promoter (3%) and TP53 (1%) were exclusive to N1b cases. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of 43 genes in PMCs with pN1b compared to pN0. A random forest machine learning-based molecular classifier developed to predict regional lymph node metastasis demonstrated a negative predictive value of 0.98 and a positive predictive value of 0.72 at a prevalence of 10% pN1b disease. CONCLUSIONS The genomic landscape of tumors with pN1b and pN0 disease was similar, whereas 43 genes selected primarily by mining the TCGA RNAseq data were differentially expressed. This bioinformatics-driven approach to the development of a custom transcriptomic assay provides a basis for a molecular classifier for pN1b risk stratification in PMC.
HHEX gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case‐control report from Iran

Genome‐wide association studies indicated that hematopoietically‐expressed homeobox (HHEX) gene is a remarkable candidate for type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus susceptibility in spite of the fact that the results are ambiguous in some cases. So, this study aimed to evaluate the possible correlation between HHEX gene polymorphisms and T2D development in a sample of the Iranian population. The rs1111875G/A, rs7923837A/G, and rs5015480C/T HHEX gene polymorphisms were genotyped in 250 cases and 250 matched (age and sex) healthy controls using tetra‐amplification‐refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction method. The finding revealed the all measured inheritance models of rs1111875G/A and of rs5015480C/T variants dramatically increase the risk of T2D while another polymorphism (rs7923837A/G) was not associated with risk/protective role in T2D. The results indicated that rs1111875G/A and rs5015480C/T may contribute to the enhancement of T2D risk in a sample of the southeast Iranian population.
Device modelling for VLSI circuit design with technology independent neural network interface

A novel, fast and accurate neural network tool is proposed for efficient technology independent implementation of the interface between device modelling and circuit simulation. Modified backpropagation, conjugate gradient and Levenberg-Marquardt optimization algorithms are applied in network teaching. Simulations show fast convergence and an excellent fit of recalled characteristics to the measured device data. The utilized algorithms are robust and capable of presenting the entire device characteristics unaltered even with largely reduced amount of the teaching material. The good monotonicity of the neural network generated device data facilitates the usage of the method in circuit simulation purposes. The method is tested against difficult GaAs MESFET and Si MOSFET device data.
Pilot intervention to promote tolerance for uncertainty in early multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE The ability to tolerate uncertainty about the future may be foundational to positive psychological adjustment. Conversely, intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been shown to be a vulnerability factor for anxiety and depression. One stressor with a very high degree of uncertainty about the future is a new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, few psychological interventions in MS have directly targeted IU. Research Method/Design: Forty-eight participants with early MS and moderate levels of distress were randomized to receive either 6 sessions of a brief psychological intervention designed to improve the ability to tolerate uncertainty (n = 23) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 25). Measures of mood, IU, and MS acceptance were administered at baseline and about 8 weeks later. Intervention effects were tested via linear regression controlling for baseline levels. RESULTS Participants were primarily Caucasian (85%) women (73%) and had lived with an MS diagnosis for an average of 376.3 days. Groups did not differ at baseline on most demographic or outcome variables. The intervention was well-tolerated, and most participants (82.6%) completed all 6 sessions and reported benefit. Postintervention, those in the intervention group demonstrated lower levels of IU and more MS acceptance relative to the TAU group. There was no effect of the intervention on global anxiety. Decreases in IU were associated with increases in MS acceptance (r = -.63). Effect sizes for these changes were moderate. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS These pilot results demonstrate that IU is responsive to a brief psychological intervention, and improvement with IU is associated with positive psychological outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Computers as assistants: a new generation of support systems

From the Publisher: Computer systems based on the notion of the computer as assistant have recently become the focus of intense interest. The expanding role of the computer in everyday life and the growing number of untrained users make it necessary to think about new ways of dividing labor between humans and machines. Future systems must take on more tasks and perform them more competently and autonomously than existing systems, but if they are to be adequately flexible and responsive to complexity, they cannot automate their performance completely. The aim of designers should be to create computer systems with capabilities similar to those of good assistants in the real world. Effective assistance has many characteristics. An assistant is expected, for instance, to be competent in some domains of expertise, to know the limits of his or her knowledge, to be able to process inexact instructions from clients, to adjust to and learn from them, to explain his or her behavior and suggestions, and to support clients in communication and cooperation with other people. Can such capabilities be built into computer systems? This book offers a strongly affirmative answer. The authors discuss the concepts and methods, particularly from the fields of artificial intelligence and computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), that they have drawn on to develop successful system prototypes, and present a number of these prototypes, including assistants for graphics design, knowledge discovery in databases, coordination support, organizational memory, user interface design, and knowledge base construction.
Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and the electron transport chain comprise a multifunctional mitochondrial protein complex

Three mitochondrial metabolic pathways are required for efficient energy production in eukaryotic cells: the electron transfer chain (ETC), fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The ETC is organized into inner mitochondrial membrane supercomplexes that promote substrate channeling and catalytic efficiency. Although previous studies have suggested functional interaction between FAO and the ETC, their physical interaction has never been demonstrated. In this study, using blue native gel and two-dimensional electrophoreses, nano-LC-MS/MS, immunogold EM, and stimulated emission depletion microscopy, we show that FAO enzymes physically interact with ETC supercomplexes at two points. We found that the FAO trifunctional protein (TFP) interacts with the NADH-binding domain of complex I of the ETC, whereas the electron transfer enzyme flavoprotein dehydrogenase interacts with ETC complex III. Moreover, the FAO enzyme very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase physically interacted with TFP, thereby creating a multifunctional energy protein complex. These findings provide a first view of an integrated molecular architecture for the major energy-generating pathways in mitochondria that ensures the safe transfer of unstable reducing equivalents from FAO to the ETC. They also offer insight into clinical ramifications for individuals with genetic defects in these pathways.