Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Dimensional Properties of AIC and Cp for Estimation of Dimensionality in Multivariate Models

The AIC and Cp have been proposed for estimation of the dimensionality in some multivariate models. In this paper we consider high-dimensional properties of the criteria in multivariate linear model and canonical correlation analysis. First we show consistency properties of the criteria when the number p of variables and the sample size n are large under a high-dimensional asymptotic framework such that p/n → c ∈ [0, 1). The consistency properties are shown, under two types of assumptions on the order of the noncentrality parameter matrix, but the true dimension j0 and the possible maximum dimension q(≥ j0) are fixed. When j0 and q are also large with q/n → 0, we give a sufficient condition such that the probabilities of estimating the overspecified dimensions tend to zero, without any assumption on the order of the noncentrality parameter matrix. Through a Monte Carlo simulation experiment we see that our results are checked numerically. Further, we compare with the dimensionalities estimated by AIC and Cp. AMS 2000 subject classification: primary 62H12; secondary 62H30
A Heuristic Model for the Development of Production Capabilities

Menederji v proizvodnih okoljih se pri odloèanju sreèujejo z visoko stopnjo nezanesljivosti, zaradi hitrih in velikih sprememb, ki opredeljujejo okolja, v katerih delujejo njihove organizacije. Ta pomeni, da menederji pri odloèanju nimajo popolnih informacij o prihodnjih dogodkih, ne poznajo vseh mogoèih alternativ in ne poznajo posledic vseh mogoèih odloèitev. Spoprijeti se z negotovostjo pomeni razvijati hevristièna orodja, ki lahko ponudijo zadovoljive reitve, ne pa tudi optimalne. Metode simulacij, ki temeljijo na ekstrapoliranju merljivih podatkov iz preteklosti, niso ustrezne kot pomoè pri odloèitvah v okolièinah negotovosti. V zadnjem èasu se kot prevladujoèa hevristika za reevanje odloèitvenih problemov pri visoki stopnji negotovosti pojavlja teorija stvarnih monosti. Zato se postopki stvarnih monosti danes uporabljajo za vrednotenje investicij v raziskave in razvoj, v razvoj novih izdelkov, v proizvodno tehnologijo in preostale proizvodne vire. Na inenirskem podroèju smo prièa intenzivnemu razvoju metod, orodij in tehnik, ki sicer po svojem poreklu spadajo na podroèje uporabne matematike, informacijskih znanosti, operacijskih raziskav in ekonomske teorije (genetski algoritmi, evolucijsko programiranje, genetsko programiranje, mehka logika, nevronske mree, teorija stvarnih monosti itn.), se pa zelo uspeno uporabljajo pri reevanju razliènih tehniènih optimizacijskih problemov. Teorija stvarnih monosti se uporablja tudi pri obravnavanju tehnologije, razvoja in raziskav ter proizvodnje. Razmiljanja o uporabnosti teorije stvarnih monosti so se razirila tudi na podroèje stratekega menedmenta. © 2005 Strojniki vestnik. Vse pravice pridrane. (Kljuène besede: sistemi proizvodni, upravljanje tveganja, teorija stvarnih monosti, modeliranje negotovosti, mehka logika)
Analytical Models of Firing Rate Statistics in Sensory Neuroscience Experiments

Motivated by empirical results, we develop simple Taylor Series approximations (analytics) for statistics associated with neuronal response data in sensory (e.g., vision) experiments in a laboratory setting. Such responses exhibit a non-negativity constraint and additional nonlinearities, such as “normalization”. These transformations also change correlations among neuronal responses, which are thought to limit the fidelity of sensory representations. Simulation studies and cases, where we have exact results, show that our models are accurate over a wide range of parameter values. Ignoring constraints, simple analytical expressions help explain how data quality, parameter values and sensitivities affect results. Keywordsdata; measurements; analytics; statistics; simulation; neuroscience; vision experiments.
THE EFFICACY OF COMBINED BIOMARKER TESTS IN EARLY DIAGNOSTICS OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AFTER CLINICAL SYMPTOMS ONSET: ROLE OF HEART-TYPE FATTY ACID-BINDING PROTEIN

Aim. To evaluate the diagnostic value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) introduction to standard cardiac biomarkers in diagnostics of myocardial infarction (MI) early after clinical symptoms onset. Material and methods. Patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during first 6 hours after ACS symptoms onset were enrolled into the study. At hospitalization level of biomarkers of myocardial damage (creatine phosphokinase-MB fraction - CPK-MB, troponin T) and qualitative tests on FABP were assessed in all patients. Serum troponin T concentration measured in 12 hours after the hospitalization was used to confirm diagnosis of MI. Moreover , diagnosis of MI was verified by echocardiography with the assessment of local reduction in myocardial contractility. Results. 101 patients were included into the study (27% female; aged 59.9±12.4). At the moment of hospitalization 71 (70%) patients were diagnosed with ACS with ST-segment elevation, and 30 (30%) patients - ACS without ST-segment elevation. In total, period between clinical symptoms onset and hospitalization was 3.6±1.4 hours. Analysis of diagnostic value of tests during the first 6 hours after ACS symptoms onset showed higher sensitivity of H-FABP in comparison with troponin T and CPK-MB (72.5, 56.2 and 49.5%, respectively). Specificity of these tests during the first 6 hours after onset of clinical signs of ACS was 90, 100 и 90%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 87.7 and 100.0%, respectively , when H-FABP , troponin T and CPK-MB were used in combination as a “block test” in patients hospitalized during the first 6 hours after ACS symptoms onset. Sensitivity and specificity were 74.3 и 100.0%, respectively , when “block test” was used in patients hospitalized during the first 3 hours after ACS symptoms onset; between 3 and 6 hours after ACS symptoms onset sensitivity and specificity of tests reached 100%. Conclusion. “Block test” with H-FABP , troponin T and CPK-MB early after ACS symptoms onset is more sensitive in comparison with separate use of the tests.
Babbling and consonant production in children with hearing impairment who use hearing aids or cochlear implants – a pilot study

Abstract Objective: To investigate early auditory prerequisites in relation to the use of canonical babbling (CB) and early consonant production in a heterogeneous group of children with hearing impairment (HI) and in comparison to controls with normal hearing (NH). Methods: Five children with unilateral or bilateral HI who used hearing aids (HA) (0;9–1;7 years) and six children with cochlear implants (CI) (0;10–2;0 years) were compared to data from 22 children with NH (0;10–1;6 years). Hearing age, type of HI and daily use of hearing technology (hours) was investigated in relation to CB ratio and consonant production. Analysis of babbling from video recordings during verbal interaction between a parent and child was independently performed by two observers. Intra- and inter-agreement were calculated. Results: Children with HI used less CB compared to children with NH. Less CB utterances and occurrences of dental/alveolar stops were found in children with HA who had a hearing age of 5 months and who used their hearing technology 5 h per day. The children with CI reached an expected CB ratio and consonant production after 8.5 months with daily fulltime use of CI. Conclusions: Even a mild hearing loss in early childhood may affect and delay the onset of important linguistic milestones like canonical babbling and consonant production. It was indicated that children with CI or HA might receive different attention and intervention services. Longer hearing age and full-time use of hearing technology may influence positively on CB ratio and consonant production in children with HI.
The Role of EjSVPs in Flower Initiation in Eriobotrya japonica

Flowering plants have evolved different flowering habits to sustain long-term reproduction. Most woody trees experience dormancy and then bloom in the warm spring, but loquat blooms in the cold autumn and winter. To explore its mechanism of flowering regulation, we cloned two SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) homologous genes from ‘Jiefanzhong’ loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), namely, EjSVP1 and EjSVP2. Sequence analysis revealed that the EjSVPs were typical MADS-box transcription factors and exhibited a close genetic relationship with other plant SVP/DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM) proteins. The temporal and spatial expression patterns showed that EjSVP1 and EjSVP2 were mainly expressed in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) after the initiation of flowering; after reaching their highest level, they gradually decreased with the development of the flower until they could not be detected. EjSVP1 expression levels were relatively high in young tissues, and EjSVP2 expression levels were relatively high in young to mature transformed tissues. Interestingly, EjSVP2 showed relatively high expression levels in various flower tissues. We analyzed the EjSVP promoter regions and found that they did not contain the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element. Finally, we overexpressed the EjSVPs in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and found no significant changes in the number of rosette leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana; however, overexpression of EjSVP2 affected the formation of Arabidopsis thaliana flower organs. In conclusion, EjSVPs were found to play an active role in the development of loquat flowering. These findings may provide a reference for exploring the regulation mechanisms of loquat flowering and the dormancy mechanisms of other plants.
A Review of Asymptomatic and Subclinical Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections

Abstract The epidemiology of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) since 2012 has been largely characterized by recurrent zoonotic spillover from dromedary camels followed by limited human-to-human transmission, predominantly in health-care settings. The full extent of infection of MERS-CoV is not clear, nor is the extent and/or role of asymptomatic infections in transmission. We conducted a review of molecular and serological investigations through PubMed and EMBASE from September 2012 to November 15, 2018, to measure subclinical or asymptomatic MERS-CoV infection within and outside of health-care settings. We performed retrospective analysis of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infections reported to the World Health Organization to November 27, 2018, to summarize what is known about asymptomatic infections identified through national surveillance systems. We identified 23 studies reporting evidence of MERS-CoV infection outside of health-care settings, mainly of camel workers, with seroprevalence ranges of 0%–67% depending on the study location. We identified 20 studies in health-care settings of health-care worker (HCW) and family contacts, of which 11 documented molecular evidence of MERS-CoV infection among asymptomatic contacts. Since 2012, 298 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported as asymptomatic to the World Health Organization, 164 of whom were HCWs. The potential to transmit MERS-CoV to others has been demonstrated in viral-shedding studies of asymptomatic MERS infections. Our results highlight the possibility for onward transmission of MERS-CoV from asymptomatic individuals. Screening of HCW contacts of patients with confirmed MERS-CoV is currently recommended, but systematic screening of non-HCW contacts outside of health-care facilities should be encouraged.
miR29a and miR378b Influence CpG-Stimulated Dendritic Cells and Regulate cGAS/STING Pathway

The Cytosine–phosphate–guanosine (CpG) motif, which is specifically recognized intracellularly by dendritic cells (DCs), plays a crucial role in regulating the innate immune response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can strongly influence the antigen-presenting ability of DCs. In this study, we examine the action of miRNAs on CpG-stimulated and control DCs, as well as their effect on cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (GMP–AMP) synthase (cGAS) and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signal pathway. Firstly, we selected miRNAs (miR-29a and miR-378b) based on expression in CpG-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Secondly, we investigated the functions of miR-29a and miR-378b on CpG-stimulated and unstimulated BMDCs. The results showed that miR-29a and miR-378b increased expression of both the immunoregulatory DC surface markers (CD86 and CD40) and the immunosuppressive molecule CD273 by DCs. Thirdly, cytokine detection revealed that both miR-29a and miR-378b enhanced interferon-β (IFN-β) expression while suppressing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production. Finally, our results suggest that miR-378b can bind TANK-binding kinase binding protein 1 (TBKBP1) to activate the cGAS/STING signaling pathway. By contrast, miR-29a targeted interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and promoted the expression of STING. Together, our results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of miRNA induction by CpG to regulate DC function.
A meta‐analysis of dropout rates from exposure with response prevention and pharmacological treatment for youth with obsessive compulsive disorder

Beliefs that exposure with response prevention (ERP) is excessively distressing and will result in client dropout from treatment are commonly‐cited reasons for clinicians not providing evidence‐based treatment. This meta‐analysis examined treatment attrition for ERP for youth with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) compared with other treatment modalities.
Arginine promotes porcine type I muscle fibres formation through improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate whether arginine (Arg) promotes porcine type I muscle fibres formation via improving mitochondrial biogenesis. In the in vivo study, a total of sixty Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaning piglets with an average body weight of 6·55 (sd 0·36) kg were randomly divided into four treatments and fed with a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 0·5, 1·0 and 1·5 % l-Arg, respectively, in a 4-week trial. Results showed that dietary supplementation of 1·0 % Arg significantly enhanced the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, up-regulated the protein expression of myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I) and increased the mRNA levels of MyHC I, troponin I1, C1 and T1 (Tnni1, Tnnc1 and Tnnt1) in longissimus dorsi muscle compared with the control group. In addition, ATPase staining analysis indicated that 1·0 % Arg supplementation significantly increased the number of type I muscle fibres and significantly decreased the number of type II muscle fibres. Furthermore, 1·0 % Arg supplementation significantly up-regulated PPAR-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), sirtuin 1 and cytochrome c (Cytc) protein expressions, increased PGC-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondria transcription factor B1 (TFB1M), Cytc and ATP synthase subunit C1 (ATP5G) mRNA levels and increased mitochondrial DNA content. In the in vitro study, mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone (Rot) was used. We found that Rot annulled Arg-induced type I muscle fibres formation. Together, our results provide for the first time the evidence that Arg promotes porcine type I muscle fibres formation through improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis.
Modeling dermatophytosis: Guinea pig skin explants represent a highly suitable model to study Trichophyton benhamiae infections

Dermatophyte infections are a growing health concern worldwide with increasing patient numbers, especially in children. However, detailed knowledge about infection mechanisms and virulence factors are scarce. This study aimed to establish an infection model based on guinea pig skin explants mimicking the in vivo situation as closely as possible to survey the pathogenesis of dermatophytoses. A fundamental prerequisite was the detailed description of native guinea pig skin and its morphological changes during tissue culture because comprehensive data on guinea pig skin characteristics were not available. Skin explants were harvested from healthy, adult guinea pigs and transferred to cell culture inserts. One group was inoculated with defined suspensions of colony‐forming units of zoonotic Trichophyton benhamiae isolates; others served as controls to assess the tissue viability during the 10‐day culture. Samples were taken on days 3, 5, 7 and 10 and processed for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Standard tissue culture conditions provoked acantholysis and regional orthokeratotic alterations. The reduced desquamation caused hyperkeratosis paralleled by hypogranulosis or regional hyperplasia. During T. benhamiae infection, keratinocyte proliferation came to a complete halt on day 5 whereas the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay‐positive cells increased moderately up to day 7. Hyphae grew massively into the skin explants causing strong keratinolysis and tricholysis. By the end of the culture, complete disintegration of the basement membrane and dermal tissue was observed. A realistic and reliable skin infection model was established to study dermatophytoses in general and cutaneous T. benhamiae infections in particular.
Fivefold enhancement of yield and toughness of copper nanowires via coating carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are outstanding reinforcements owing to their unparallel strength, while their effects on the copper nanowire are still not fully understood, hampering their broad applications. Herein, we have investigated the tensile behaviors of the nanocomposite-wire of carbon nanotube-copper using molecular dynamic simulations. For the nanocomposite, both the coated and embedded carbon nanotubes increase the Young’s modulus, fracture stress and toughness of the copper nanowire. A reinforcement of over fivefold in both yield strength (5.3 times) and toughness (5.1 times) has been achieved when the carbon nanotubes are coated on the copper nanowires, as well as 1.7 times in the Young’s modulus. Higher temperatures and lower loading rates reduce the reinforcement.
Early renal protocol biopsies: beneficial effects of treatment of borderline changes and subclinical rejections on the histological changes for chronic allograft nephropathy

Protocol biopsies in the early course after renal transplantation revealed that chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) starts early. Our study aimed to identify borderline changes (BC), subclinical rejections (SR) and histological markers of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in protocol biopsies at 1 and 6 months after living related kidney transplantation, and to determine whether treatment of BC and SR at the 1-month postransplant has a beneficial effect on graft histology and function at 6 months. Forty paired allograft biopsies were evaluated according to the Banff scoring schema. BC was found in 13/40 (32.5%) and 12/40 (30%), and SR in 15/40 (37.5%) and 21/40 (52.2%) of patients, on 1 and 6month biopsies, respectively. The mean HI (histological index/ sum of scores for acute/chronic changes) and CAN score (sum of histological markers for chronicity) increased significantly at 6-month biopsy 5.3±2.9 vs. 7.8±3.6 (p ), high HI group had mean CAN score of 2.91±1.24 at 1-month, which increased to 5.09±1.98 at 6-month biopsy (175%). The proportion of these changes in low HI group was increased from 0.94±1.14 to 4.0±2.52 (268 %). At 1-month serum creatinine (sCr) was significantly higher in the high HI group, 134 ± 35.9 vs.113 ± 27.5 (p years), no significant difference was found in sCr and Crcl at 1 month, while at 6 month Crcl was significantly higher in the younger donor group, 52 ± 10.8 vs. 72 ± 22.6 (p<003). There was no significant difference in HI score between the two groups. When divided according to the treatment of BC/SR, the group of treated BC/SR at 1 month biopsy had mean HI score of 7.11 ± 1.9, which remained almost the same at 6 months biopsy (7.11 ± 2.32). In contrast, the proportion of these changes in untreated BC/SR group increased from 4.95 ± 1.99 to 8.16 ± 4.30. The mean CAN score in untreated BC/SR group increased from 1.89 ± 1.37 to 4.32 ± 2.24 (p<0.000) at 6-month biopsy. In conclusion, a protocol 1-month biopsy may uncover a high prevalence of BC or SR in stable allografts. The presence of an untreated BC or SR in biopsies showed greater susceptibility for histological deterioration on the 6-month biopsy, accelerating the process of CAN.
Recruitment of ανβ3 integrin to α5β1 integrin-induced clusters enables focal adhesion maturation and cell spreading

ABSTRACT The major fibronectin (FN)-binding α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins exhibit cooperativity during cell adhesion, migration and mechanosensing, through mechanisms that are not yet fully resolved. Exploiting mechanically tunable nano-patterned substrates, and peptidomimetic ligands designed to selectively bind corresponding integrins, we report that focal adhesions (FAs) of endothelial cells assembled on α5β1 integrin-selective substrates rapidly recruit αvβ3 integrins, but not vice versa. Blocking of αvβ3 integrin hindered FA maturation and cell spreading on α5β1 integrin-selective substrates, indicating a mechanism dependent on extracellular ligand binding and highlighting the requirement of αvβ3 integrin engagement for efficient adhesion. Recruitment of αvβ3 integrins additionally occurred on hydrogel substrates of varying mechanical properties, above a threshold stiffness that supports FA formation. Mechanistic studies revealed the need for soluble factors present in serum to allow recruitment, and excluded exogenous, or endogenous, FN as the ligand responsible for αvβ3 integrin accumulation to adhesion clusters. Our findings highlight a novel mechanism of integrin cooperation and a critical role for αvβ3 integrins in promoting cell adhesion on α5β1 integrin-selective substrates. Highlighted Article: Presentation of integrin-selective, peptidomimetic ligands on nano-patterned substrates reveals the role of αvβ3 integrin recruitment to α5β1-induced clusters for focal adhesion maturation and endothelial cell spreading.
Prevalence of Frailty and Its Association with Cognitive Status and Functional Fitness among Ambulating Older Adults Residing in Institutions within West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Aim: There is limited information about the association between frailty, cognitive status and functional fitness in older adults living in institutions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with cognitive status and functional fitness among pre-frail and frail Malaysian older adults residing in institutions on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: This study included 302 ambulating Malaysian institutionalised older adults. Frailty was identified using Fried’s frailty criteria. Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness test. The association between frailty groups, cognitive status and functional fitness was analysed using binary logistic regression. Results: Prevalence of frailty, prefrailty and robustness in the older adults was 56.6%, 40.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Frailty was found to be associated with hypertension (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.11–4.16, p = 0.024), lower cognitive status (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination) (OR 0.98, 95% C.I: 0.96–0.99, p = 0.038), and lower dynamic balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go test) (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01–1.16, p = 0.024). Conclusion: Frailty is highly prevalent among Malaysian institutionalised older adults. Hypertension, cognitive impairment and lower dynamic balance and mobility were found to be risk factors of frailty. Screening of frailty and its associated factors should be prioritized among institutionalised older adults in view of early prevention and rehabilitation.