Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traces, ideals, and arithmetic means

This article grew out of recent work of Dykema, Figiel, Weiss, and Wodzicki (Commutator structure of operator ideals) which inter alia characterizes commutator ideals in terms of arithmetic means. In this paper we study ideals that are arithmetically mean (am) stable, am-closed, am-open, soft-edged and soft-complemented. We show that many of the ideals in the literature possess such properties. We apply these notions to prove that for all the ideals considered, the linear codimension of their commutator space (the “number of traces on the ideal”) is either 0, 1, or ∞. We identify the largest ideal which supports a unique nonsingular trace as the intersection of certain Lorentz ideals. An application to elementary operators is given. We study properties of arithmetic mean operations on ideals, e.g., we prove that the am-closure of a sum of ideals is the sum of their am-closures. We obtain cancellation properties for arithmetic means: for principal ideals, a necessary and sufficient condition for first order cancellations is the regularity of the generator; for second order cancellations, sufficient conditions are that the generator satisfies the exponential Δ2-condition or is regular. We construct an example where second order cancellation fails, thus settling an open question. We also consider cancellation properties for inclusions. And we find and use lattice properties of ideals associated with the existence of “gaps. ”
At the Fulcrum in Health and Disease: Cdk5 and the Balancing Acts of Neuronal Structure and Physiology

Cdk5 has been implicated in a multitude of processes in neuronal development, cell biology and physiology. These influence many neurological disorders, but the very breadth of Cdk5 effects has made it difficult to synthesize a coherent picture of the part played by this protein in health and disease. In this review, we focus on the roles of Cdk5 in neuronal function, particularly synaptic homeostasis, plasticity, neurotransmission, subcellular organization, and trafficking. We then discuss how disruption of these Cdk5 activities may initiate or exacerbate neural disorders. A recurring theme will be the sensitivity of Cdk5 sequelae to the precise biological context under consideration.
Isolation of Novel Trypanosomatid, Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) Provides Support for a Gondwanan Origin of Dixenous Parasitism in the Leishmaniinae

The genus Leishmania includes approximately 53 species, 20 of which cause human leishmaniais; a significant albeit neglected tropical disease. Leishmaniasis has afflicted humans for millennia, but how ancient is Leishmania and where did it arise? These questions have been hotly debated for decades and several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests Leishmania originated in the Palearctic, and dispersed to the New World via the Bering land bridge. Others propose that Leishmania evolved in the Neotropics. The Multiple Origins theory suggests that separation of certain Old World and New World species occurred due to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Some suggest that the ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia evolved on Gondwana between 90 and 140 million years ago. In the present study a detailed molecular and morphological characterisation was performed on a novel Australian trypanosomatid following its isolation in Australia’s tropics from the native black fly, Simulium (Morops) dycei Colbo, 1976. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted and confirmed this parasite as a sibling to Zelonia costaricensis, a close relative of Leishmania previously isolated from a reduviid bug in Costa Rica. Consequently, this parasite was assigned the name Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. Assuming Z. costaricensis and Z. australiensis diverged when Australia and South America became completely separated, their divergence occurred between 36 and 41 million years ago at least. Using this vicariance event as a calibration point for a phylogenetic time tree, the common ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia appeared in Gondwana approximately 91 million years ago. Ultimately, this study contributes to our understanding of trypanosomatid diversity, and of Leishmania origins by providing support for a Gondwanan origin of dixenous parasitism in the Leishmaniinae.
Analyse économique et préservation de la biodiversité

Cet article offre un bref panorama sur les recherches economiques se rapportant a l’etude et la conservation de la biodiversite. Il aborde successivement les diverses manieres de definir la biodiversite, l’evaluation des contributions de la biodiversite a l’economie et l’analyse des politiques de conservation. Il insiste ce faisant sur le role que devrait jouer l’analyse economique dans l’elaboration et la mise en oeuvre des politiques publiques.
Fault detection filter and controller design for unmanned surface vehicles

This paper investigates the network-based modelling, and fault detection filter and controller coordinated design for an unmanned surface vehicle. A network-based model for the unmanned surface vehicle subject to actuator faults and wave-induced disturbances is established for the first time by introducing an observer-based fault detection filter, and considering network-induced characteristics such as delays and packet dropouts in the control station-to-actuator communication network channel. Based on this model, network-based fault detection filter and controller coordinated design criteria are derived to asymptotically stabilize the residual system. The designed network-based fault detection filter and controller can guarantee the sensitivity of the residual signal to faults and the robustness of the unmanned surface vehicle to external disturbances. Fault detection performance analysis verifies the effectiveness of the proposed network-based fault detection filter and controller coordinated design scheme for the unmanned surface vehicle in network environments.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mediates retinal detachment-induced photoreceptor apoptosis

Photoreceptor apoptosis is a major cause of visual loss in retinal detachment (RD) and several other visual disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Recently, increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was reported in vitreous humor samples of patients with RD and diabetic retinopathy as well as in the brain tissues of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Here we report that MCP-1 plays a critical role in mediating photoreceptor apoptosis in an experimental model of RD. RD led to increased MCP-1 expression in the Müller glia and increased CD11b+ macrophage/microglia in the detached retina. An MCP-1 blocking antibody greatly reduced macrophage/microglia infiltration and RD-induced photoreceptor apoptosis. Confirming these results, MCP-1 gene-deficient mice showed significantly reduced macrophage/microglia infiltration after RD and very little photoreceptor apoptosis. In primary retinal mixed cultures, MCP-1 was cytotoxic for recoverin+ photoreceptors, and this toxicity was eliminated through immunodepleting macrophage/microglia from the culture. In vivo, deletion of the gene encoding CD11b/CD18 nearly eliminated macrophage/microglia infiltration to the retina after RD and the loss of photoreceptors. Thus, MCP-1 expression and subsequent macrophage/microglia infiltration and activation are critical for RD-induced photoreceptor apoptosis. This pathway may be an important therapeutic target for preventing photoreceptor apoptosis in RD and other CNS diseases that share a common etiology.
Significance of IgG optical density ratios (index value) in single reactive anti-Dengue virus IgG capture ELISA

Background and Objectives: A single reactive IgG anti-Dengue virus ELISA test in the absence of IgM antibodies or NS1 antigen may denote current infection or past exposure to the virus. To determine whether IgG index value can be used to identify true current dengue infection we conducted a prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: Suspected dengue patients (n =1745) were tested in their first specimen by MAC-ELISA, GAC-ELISA and NS1 antigen ELISA. Patients with MAC-ELISA and NS1Antigen non-reactive but GAC-ELISA reactive results (n =57) in their first test were followed up and repeated sampling was asked for IgG index values were calculated according to the manufacturer’s instruction and classified as: low (2.2–2.5), medium (2.5–4.0) and high (>4.0). Results: 16 out of 57 patients (28.1%) had low IgG Index value whereas 26 cases (45.6%) were categorized as medium and 15(26.3%) were classified as patients with high IgG index. Nine patients with paired reactive serology or antigen positive status were categorised as serologically confirmed dengue fever, 11 patients as not dengue with categorical evidence of other infections while the rest 37 casas with clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters suggestive of dengue but no serological confirmation as possible dengue. Among confirmed, possible and non-Dengue cases, 33.3, 32.4 and 0.0% had high Index value in comparison with 22.2, 29.7 and 27.3% showing low Index values, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggested a high IgG response in favour of true dengue infection than past exposure while no conclusions should drawn from a low or medium reactive GAC-ELISA results in the absence of IgM antibodies and NS1 Ag.
A Look Beyond Cognitive Predictors of Academic Success: Understanding the Relationship Between Academic Self-Beliefs and Outcomes

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic self-beliefs (i.e., self-efficacy and degree aspirations) with various academic outcomes. Based on previous findings, it was hypothesized that students with more positive academic self-beliefs would perform better in school. The results supported prior research as students with higher academic self-beliefs also had higher SAT scores, grades, and second-year retention rates. Students with more negative writing and math self-efficacy beliefs were more likely to state that they would desire help with improving those skills. Suggestions for those in college counseling positions to intervene and provide assistance are discussed.
On the feasibility of software attacks on commodity virtual machine monitors via direct device assignment

The security of virtual machine monitors (VMMs) is a challenging and active field of research. In particular, due to the increasing significance of hardware virtualization in cloud solutions, it is important to clearly understand existing and arising VMM-related threats. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion around this topic as many attacks presented in the past have never been implemented in practice or tested in a realistic scenario. In this paper, we shed light on VM related threats and defences by implementing, testing, and categorizing a wide range of known and unknown attacks based on directly assigned devices. We executed these attacks on an exhaustive set of VMM configurations to determine their potential impact. Our experiments suggest that most of the previously known attacks are ineffective in current VMM setups. We also developed an automatic tool, called PTFuzz, to discover hardware-level problems that affects current VMMs. By using PTFuzz, we found several cases of unexpected hardware behaviour, and a major vulnerability on Intel platforms that potentially impacts a large set of machines used in the wild. These vulnerabilities affect unprivileged virtual machines that use a directly assigned device (e.g., network card) and have all the existing hardware protection mechanisms enabled. Such vulnerabilities either allow an attacker to generate a host-side interrupt or hardware faults, violating expected isolation properties. These can cause host software (e.g., VMM) halt as well as they might open the door for practical VMM exploitations. We believe that our study can help cloud providers and researchers to better understand the limitations of their current architectures to provide secure hardware virtualization and prepare for future attacks.
Fault-tolerant Scheduling of Stateful Tasks in Uniprocessor Real-time Systems

The recovery block (RcB) approach is intended for masking software faults. This approach can be implemented for real-time systems by establishing primary and alternative versions for each task and providing a fault-tolerant preemptive schedule which masks possibly missed deadlines. Existing scheduling algorithms require rearrangement of tasks parameters during run-time. Applying these algorithms for stateful tasks which keep their state between releases is difficult. We defined two off-line scheduling algorithms: Backwards-Direct-Deadline-Monotonic (B-D-DM) and Earliest-Deadlines-as-Late as possibleDeadline-Monotonic (EDL-DM). These algorithms are based on existing algorithms used for periodic tasks: Backwards-DM, EDL and DM. The main advantage of our algorithms is the ability to calculate all parameters of the schedule off-line and implement RcB for stateful tasks. We propose a feasibility check for the resulting schedule. The proposed algorithm B-D-DM was implemented in a case study of a control system designed in
Should Patient Characteristics Influence Target Anticoagulation Intensity for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation?: The ATRIA Study

Background—Randomized trials and observational studies support using an international normalized ratio (INR) target of 2.0 to 3.0 for preventing ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation. We assessed whether the INR target should be adjusted based on selected patient characteristics. Methods and Results—We conducted a case–control study nested within the ATRIA cohort’s 9217 atrial fibrillation patients taking warfarin to define the relationship between INR level and the odds of thromboembolism (TE; mainly stroke) and of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) relative to INR 2.0 to 2.5. We identified 396 TE cases and 164 ICH cases during follow-up. Each case was compared with 4 randomly selected controls matched on calendar date and stroke risk factors using matched univariable analyses and conditional logistic regression. We explored modification of the INR–outcome relationships by the following stroke risk factors: prior stroke, age, and CHADS2 risk score. Overall, the odds of TE were low and stable above INR 1.8. Compared with INR 2.0 to 2.5, the relative odds of TE increased strikingly at INR <1.8 (eg, odds ratio, 3.72; 95% CI, 2.67 to 5.19, at INR 1.4 to 1.7). The odds of ICH increased markedly at INR values >3.5 (eg, odds ratio, 3.56; 95% CI: 1.70 to 7.46, at INR 3.6 to 4.5). The relative odds of ICH were consistently low at INR <3.6. There was no evidence of lower ICH risk at INR levels <2.0. These patterns of risk did not differ substantially by history of stroke, age, or CHADS2 risk score. Conclusions—Our results confirm that the current standard of INR 2.0 to 3.0 for atrial fibrillation falls in the optimal INR range. Our findings do not support adjustment of INR targets according to previously defined stroke risk factors.
Successive transposition explosions in Drosophila melanogaster and reverse transpositions of mobile dispersed genetic elements

Transposition outbursts occur in the destabilized Drosophila melanogaster strain ctMR2 carrying a mutation in the locus cut induced by an insertion of mdg4. While the distribution of mobile genetic elements remained unchanged in the great majority of germ cells, in a few cells numerous transpositions had occurred involving mdg (copia‐like), fold‐back and P‐elements. We used in situ hybridization to analyze the distribution of five families of mdg elements in the X‐chromosome during several consequent mutational changes in D. melanogaster. Each of them was accompanied by many changes in mdg localization, all of which occurred in one and the same cell. Thus, we could observe the series consisting of up to five successive transposition explosions leading to an almost complete change in the distribution of the mdg elements tested. We also found that in the course of successive transposition explosions, mdg elements often inserted into those sub‐sections of the X‐chromosome where they had previously been located. This phenomenon, designated as reverse directed transposition, was studied in more detail on insertion into the locus yellow. The rate of reverse transposition of the same mdg element to the corresponding locus was 10–100 times as high as that of primary insertion. In some cases, ‘the transposon shuttle’ into and out of the locus was observed. The existence of ‘transposition memory’ partially explains the specificity of mdg localization in closely related strains as well as the co‐ordinated behaviour of different mdg elements in independent transposition explosions. The evolutionary significance of transposition explosions and directed reverse transposition (transposon shuttle) is discussed.
A description of travel medicine in general practice: a postal questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND Travel-related diseases are important aspects of public health. The number of UK residents traveling abroad is increasing at a rate of 16% a year, thereby increasing exposure to travel-related morbidity. Provision of comprehensive pretravel health advice is essential to reduce this trend. In the UK, pretravel health advice is predominantly provided through general practices. METHODS A postal questionnaire was sent to all 91 general practices in South Cheshire Health Authority. The questionnaires were to be completed by the lead advisor in travel medicine for each practice. Questions were asked on service provision, training and reference resources used, subjects advised on, and health promotion material used. Nonresponders were contacted and sent a further questionnaire. RESULTS A response rate of 86% (78/91) was achieved. Of the lead advisors, 97% were nurses and 3% general practitioners. Thirty-eight sources of advice were quoted, the commonest of which comprised wall immunization charts (72%). Duration of consultation ranged from less than 5 min to over 30 min, with a median and mode of 11 to 15 min. Most respondents reported advising on most travel-associated risks, 40% of practices lacked a protocol, and 83% of providers had attended a training course on travel medicine for 2 days or less. CONCLUSIONS This survey identified inadequacies of training and use of multiple sources of reference which may lead to inconsistencies in advice. Most practitioners could not define their workload in travel medicine. For effective protection of travelers, a careful risk assessment, clear risk communication and health education with detailed health promotion are necessary, but these are not likely to be provided within an average consultation time of 11 to 15 min. There is no evidence of consistent governance, planned training and monitoring of service quality of travel medicine practice. This may be due to lack of a national policy on best practice and guidance in this subject. National protocols with validated information resources, set standards of training, along with adequate consultation time for educating, advising, and prescribing, will lead to improved health of the traveling public.
Sitagliptin attenuates sympathetic innervation via modulating reactive oxygen species and interstitial adenosine in infarcted rat hearts

We investigated whether sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor, attenuates arrhythmias through inhibiting nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in post‐infarcted normoglycemic rats, focusing on adenosine and reactive oxygen species production. DPP‐4 bound adenosine deaminase has been shown to catalyse extracellular adenosine to inosine. DPP‐4 inhibitors increased adenosine levels by inhibiting the complex formation. Normoglycemic male Wistar rats were subjected to coronary ligation and then randomized to either saline or sitagliptin in in vivo and ex vivo studies. Post‐infarction was associated with increased oxidative stress, as measured by myocardial superoxide, nitrotyrosine and dihydroethidium fluorescent staining. Measurement of myocardial norepinephrine levels revealed a significant elevation in vehicle‐treated infarcted rats compared with sham. Compared with vehicle, infarcted rats treated with sitagliptin significantly increased interstitial adenosine levels and attenuated oxidative stress. Sympathetic hyperinnervation was blunted after administering sitagliptin, as assessed by immunofluorescent analysis and western blotting and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR of NGF. Arrhythmic scores in the sitagliptin‐treated infarcted rats were significantly lower than those in vehicle. Ex vivo studies showed a similar effect of erythro‐9‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐nonyl) adenine (an adenosine deaminase inhibitor) to sitagliptin on attenuated levels of superoxide and NGF. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of sitagliptin on superoxide anion production and NGF levels can be reversed by 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropulxanthine (adenosine A1 receptor antagonist) and exogenous hypoxanthine. Sitagliptin protects ventricular arrhythmias by attenuating sympathetic innervation via adenosine A1 receptor and xanthine oxidase‐dependent pathways, which converge through the attenuated formation of superoxide in the non‐diabetic infarcted rats.
Hyperbilirubinemia and cholestatic liver injury in hepatitis C-infected liver transplant recipients

OBJECTIVE:A cholestatic pattern of liver injury has been observed in liver transplant recipients with rapidly progressive hepatitis C. We assessed the frequency and causes of cholestasis in hepatitis C-infected liver transplant patients, and evaluated the clinical and pathological course of those with cholestatic hepatitis C.METHODS:Sixty-nine sequential liver transplant recipients who had detectable hepatitis C viremia were studied retrospectively. Records and diagnostic tests were examined from patients who developed hyperbilirubinemia.RESULTS:Hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 33 of 69 (48%) hepatitis C-infected liver transplant patients. A thorough evaluation including review of clinical and laboratory data, ultrasound with Doppler, cholangiogram, and liver biopsy identified causes of hyperbilirubinemia other than hepatitis C in 26 of 33 patients. Seven patients developed cholestatic hepatitis C characterized by histological features of recurrent hepatitis C and cholestatic liver injury with ballooning of centrilobular hepatocytes, bile ductular proliferation, and canalicular cholestasis, in the absence of other causes of cholestasis. Five progressed rapidly to bridging fibrosis and two died of complications related to liver failure. Four patients with cholestatic hepatitis C showed extended survival after the onset of hyperbilirubinemia.CONCLUSIONS:1) Hepatitis C is a relatively infrequent cause of cholestasis in liver transplant recipients. 2) The diagnosis of cholestatic hepatitis C requires a multimodality approach to exclude other causes of cholestasis. 3) Cholestatic hepatitis C ranges in severity and is not always associated with rapid development of graft failure, although significant histological abnormalities are frequent.
Design of fourth order dual-mode microstrip filter by using interdigital capacitive loading element with high selectivity

In this letter, a novel fourth order filter using dual mode open loop resonators is proposed. Dual mode open loop resonators are performed by using capacitive loading element. The main advantage of this loading element is that it controls the passband frequency and bandwidth, sensitively. Also, use of the dual mode open loop resonator provides a compact and narrowband bandpass filter. In order to demonstrate the validity the filter is designed, simulated and fabricated. Measured result shows good agreement with simulated frequency response.