Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mental Health, Personality, and Parental Rearing Styles of Adolescents with Internet Addiction Disorder

The objectives of this study were to compare the personality profiles of adolescent males with and without Internet addiction disorder (IAD), and to determine if IAD is associated with specific parental rearing behaviors. A total of 304 subjects (204 IAD positive and 100 IAD negative controls) completed three instruments: Symptom Checklist-90-revision (SCL-90-R), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised (EPQ-R), and Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran--'My Memories of Upbringing' (EMBU). SCL-90-R profiles of adolescents with IAD revealed comparatively higher mean scores for all of the nine domains, and significantly higher scores for obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and paranoid ideation; the mean global symptom index of adolescents with IAD was also significantly higher by approximately 10%. EPQ profiles of adolescents with IAD showed that Internet-dependent individuals tended to exhibit a significantly lower degree of extraversion and a significantly higher degree of psychoticism when compared with the control group. EMBU profiles revealed that adolescents with IAD generally rated both maternal and paternal rearing practices as lacking in emotional warmth, being over-involved, rejecting, and punitive (mothers only). The results of this study confirm that IAD often occurs concurrently with mental symptoms and personality traits such as introversion and psychoticism. Adolescents with IAD consistently rated parental rearing behaviors as being over-intrusive, punitive, and lacking in responsiveness. These findings suggest that the influences of parenting style and family function are important factors in the development of Internet dependency.
Drug Resistance among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Background. This study aimed to determine the pattern of drug susceptibility to first-line drugs among pulmonary TB patients in two hospitals in Calabar, Nigeria. Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between February 2011 and April 2012. Sputum samples from consecutive TB patients in Calabar were subjected to culture on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) slopes followed by drug susceptibility testing (DST). The DST was performed on LJ medium by the proportion method. Results. Forty-two of the 100 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were found to be resistant to at least one drug. Resistance to only one drug (monoresistance) was found in 17 patients. No strains with monoresistance to rifampicin were found. Resistance to two drugs was found in 22 patients, while one patient was resistant to both three and four drugs. MDR TB was seen in 4% (4/100). The independent variables of HIV serology and sex were not significantly associated with resistance (P > 0.05). Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of anti-TB drug resistance in Calabar.
Inhibition of UBE2D3 Expression Attenuates Radiosensitivity of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells by Increasing hTERT Expression and Activity

The known functions of telomerase in tumor cells include replenishing telomeric DNA and maintaining cell immortality. We have previously shown the existence of a negative correlation between human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and radiosensitivity in tumor cells. Here we set out to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation by telomerase of radiosensitivity in MCF-7 cells. Toward this aim, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening of a human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma radioresistant (Hep2R) cDNA library was first performed to search for potential hTERT interacting proteins. We identified ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2D3 (UBE2D3) as a principle hTERT-interacting protein and validated this association biochemically. ShRNA-mediated inhibition of UBE2D3 expression attenuated MCF-7 radiosensitivity, and induced the accumulation of hTERT and cyclin D1 in these cells. Moreover, down-regulation of UBE2D3 increased hTERT activity and cell proliferation, accelerating G1 to S phase transition in MCF-7 cells. Collectively these findings suggest that UBE2D3 participates in the process of hTERT-mediated radiosensitivity in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by regulating hTERT and cyclin D1.
Reproductive and morphological effects of halogenated dimethyl bipyrroles on captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Sixty‐four adult captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were exposed to a dietary source of halogenated dimethyl bipyrroles (HDBPs), a group of organohalogens proposed to have a natural origin. Adult kestrels were assigned to four treatment groups that were administered a different dose of HDBPs [high, 140 μg/(bird · d); medium, 4.3 μg/(bird · d); low, 0.13 μg/(bird · d); control, 0 μg/(bird · d)]. Exposure began prior to pairing and continued during breeding until approximately 28 d after hatching of the final eggs. Juvenile and adult kestrels accumulated HDBPs in carcass tissue, plasma, and liver. In addition, HDBPs were transferred to yolks during egg development. Low dietary absorption efficiencies (0.011–0.029) indicated that HDBPs were effectively cleared from kestrels either from increased elimination, metabolism, or a combination of the two processes. Reproductive and morphological endpoints examined for HDBP‐induced changes included egg volume, egg mass, eggshell thickness, egg fertility, clutch size, liver and whole body mass, antebrachium, central retrice, tarsus, ninth primary, and wing cord lengths. Few statistically significant dose‐dependent effects were observed. Hepatic tissue samples from selected individuals underwent histomorphological evaluation. Although the hepatic function was not evaluated specifically in these birds, no clinical signs suggestive of liver disease or gross hepatic anomalies were observed. Only minor histomorphological changes were detected in the hepatic tissue. The lack of serious effects suggests that HDBPs are not an acute reproductive threat to avian populations.
DEHAR: A distributed energy harvesting aware routing algorithm for ad-hoc multi-hop wireless sensor networks

One of the key design goals in Wireless Sensor Networks is long lasting or even continuous operation. Continuous operation is made possible through energy harvesting. Keeping the network operational imposes a demand to prevent network segmentation and power loss in nodes. It is therefore important that the best energy-wise route is found for each data transfer from a source node to the sink node. We present a new adaptive and distributed routing algorithm for finding energy optimised routes in a wireless sensor network with energy harvesting. The algorithm finds an energy efficient route from each source node to a single sink node, taking into account the current energy status of the network. By simulation, the algorithm is shown to be able to adapt to changes in harvested and stored energy. Simulations show that continuous operation is possible.
A Watermarking Application for Authentication of Holy Quran

Nowadays, with the development of technology transfer to the information transmitted safely started to carry more importance to reach the desired aim. The science of information security is composed of steganography, watermarking, cryptography and authentication. Steganography is one of the subset of information security. In steganography objective data on the desired data to hide any cover. Thus, a computer file that appears cover data and data can be transmitted to the recipient in a hidden way. Digital watermarks may be used to verify the authenticity or integrity of the carrier signal or to show the identity of its owners. In this study, the fragile watermarking techniques will use pages of the Quran by using steganography methods. Our aim is to authenticate the raffle and to prevent the unauthorized distribution of printed or modified in establishing the digital samples. XOR, LSB and Border watermarking techniques will be used. The success rates of these techniques, PSNR will be analyzed according to the ratio.
On the Use of Wavelet Packets in Ultra Wideband Pulse Shape Modulation Systems

This paper proposes wavelet packets for use in ultra wideband communications. The pulse shapes that are generated are quasi orthogonal and have almost identical time duration. After normalization, an M-ary signaling set can be constructed allowing higher data rate. Finally, the performance of such a system when multipath propagation occurs is investigated by computer simulations. In order to combat multipath fading, a Rake receiver using coherent channel estimation is designed. This channel estimation is carried out using adaptive algorithms such as least-mean square (LMS), normalized least-mean square (NLMS), or recursive least square (RLS) algorithms which adapt the received signal given a reference signal.
Vessels' morphology in SMAD4 and BMPR1A‐related juvenile polyposis

Juvenile polyposis syndrome is a hamartomatous intestinal polyposis associated with malignant changes in 20% of patients at an early age. Germline mutations mostly involve two genes, SMAD4 and BMPR1, with no strong evidence of phenotype‐genotype correlation, which could be predictive of the specific long‐term evolution. In contrast, PTEN mutations are more commonly associated with Cowden and related diseases. Forty‐two unrelated patients affected by juvenile polyposis syndrome were analyzed for germline alterations in the BMPR1A and SMAD4 genes, and for clinical and histological features. Deleterious mutations were found in 14/42 (33%) patients: 5 in BMPR1A and 9 in SMAD4. Low‐grade adenomas were present in both SMAD4 and BMPR1A mutation carriers; only patients with SMAD4 mutations harbored carcinoma lesions (5/9). Malformative vessels were present in all SMAD4 related polyps when the mutation involved codons prior to position 423. No gastric polyps were observed in BMPR1A mutation carriers. SMAD4 germline mutations are responsible for a more aggressive digestive phenotype in patients with juvenile polyposis. The presence of malformative vessels within the stromal component might be a useful tool to drive the subsequent genetic and clinical management. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On curvature estimation of ISO surfaces in 3D gray-value images and the computation of shape descriptors

In this paper, we present a novel method to estimate curvature of iso gray-level surfaces in gray-value images. Our method succeeds where standard isophote curvature estimation methods fail. There is neither a segmentation of the surface needed nor a parametric model assumed. Our estimator works on the orientation field of the surface. This orientation field and a description of local structure is obtained by the Gradient Structure Tensor. The estimated orientation field has discontinuities mod /spl pi/. It is mapped via the Knutsson mapping to a continuous representation. The principal curvatures of the surface, a coordinate invariant property, are computed in this mapped representation. From these curvatures, locally the bending energy is computed to describe the surface shape. An extensive evaluation shows that our curvature estimation is robust even in the presence of noise, independent of the scale of the object and furthermore the relative error stays small.
Partial drift detection using a rule induction framework

The major challenge in mining data streams is the issue of concept drift, the tendency of the underlying data generation process to change over time. In this paper, we propose a general rule learning framework that can efficiently handle concept-drifting data streams and maintain a highly accurate classification model. The main idea is to focus on partial drifts by allowing individual rules to monitor the stream and detect if there is a drift in the regions they cover. A rule quality measure then decides whether the affected rules are inconsistent with the concept drift. The model is accordingly updated to only include rules that are consistent with the newly arrived concept. A dynamically maintained set of instances deemed relevant to the most recent concept is also kept at memory. Learning a new concept from a larger set of instances reduces the variance of data distribution and allows for a more accurate, stable classification model. Our experiments show that this approach not only handles the drift efficiently, but it also can provide higher classification accuracy compared to other competitive approaches on a variety of real and synthetic data sets.
Early Carotid Atherosclerosis and Family History of Vascular Disease: Specific Effects on Arterial Sites Have Implications for Genetic Studies

Objective—Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is an intermediate phenotype for atherosclerosis. In a community population (n=5400), we determined whether a parental history of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke is associated with increased IMT and whether associations differ at specific sites in the carotid arterial tree. Methods and Results—Using regression modeling, the proportion of IMT that remains unexplained after controlling for vascular risk factors was determined. A parental history of stroke was associated with both increased common carotid artery (CCA) and increased internal carotid artery (ICA)-IMT, but in young individuals (≤60 years of age), the association was stronger with ICA-IMT, with an odds ratio (95% CI) for ICA-IMT in the highest quartile of 2.31 (1.67 to 3.21), P <0.001, compared with 1.53 (1.07 to 2.20), P =0.019, for CCA-IMT. In contrast, a parental history of MI was associated with increased CCA-IMT both overall and in young individuals but not with ICA-IMT, with an odds ratio (95% CI) for increased CCA-IMT of 2.51 (1.94 to 3.25), P <0.001, compared with 1.03 (0.78 to 1.35), P =0.861, for ICA-IMT. Conclusions—IMT has a significant familial component that is independent of conventional risk factors. Associations for stroke and MI differ at specific sites in the carotid arterial tree. Although commonly used aggregate CCA/ICA-IMT measures may be appropriate for candidate gene studies investigating stroke risk, these results suggest that CCA-IMT alone may be a better marker for MI risk.
Identification of an Efficient Gene Expression Panel for Glioblastoma Classification

We present here a novel genetic algorithm-based random forest (GARF) modeling technique that enables a reduction in the complexity of large gene disease signatures to highly accurate, greatly simplified gene panels. When applied to 803 glioblastoma multiforme samples, this method allowed the 840-gene Verhaak et al. gene panel (the standard in the field) to be reduced to a 48-gene classifier, while retaining 90.91% classification accuracy, and outperforming the best available alternative methods. Additionally, using this approach we produced a 32-gene panel which allows for better consistency between RNA-seq and microarray-based classifications, improving cross-platform classification retention from 69.67% to 86.07%. A webpage producing these classifications is available at http://simplegbm.semel. ucla.edu.
Unveiling Eilenberg-type Correspondences: Birkhoff's Theorem for (finite) Algebras + Duality

The purpose of the present paper is to show that: Eilenberg-type correspondences = Birkhoff's theorem for (finite) algebras + duality. We consider algebras for a monad T on a category D and we study (pseudo)varieties of T-algebras. Pseudovarieties of algebras are also known in the literature as varieties of finite algebras. Two well-known theorems that characterize varieties and pseudovarieties of algebras play an important role here: Birkhoff's theorem and Birkhoff's theorem for finite algebras, the latter also known as Reiterman's theorem. We prove, under mild assumptions, a categorical version of Birkhoff's theorem for (finite) algebras to establish a one-to-one correspondence between (pseudo)varieties of T-algebras and (pseudo)equational T-theories. Now, if C is a category that is dual to D and B is the comonad on C that is the dual of T, we get a one-to-one correspondence between (pseudo)equational T-theories and their dual, (pseudo)coequational B-theories. Particular instances of (pseudo)coequational B-theories have been already studied in language theory under the name of "varieties of languages" to establish Eilenberg-type correspondences. All in all, we get a one-to-one correspondence between (pseudo)varieties of T-algebras and (pseudo)coequational B-theories, which will be shown to be exactly the nature of Eilenberg-type correspondences.
Comparison of Dapoxetine Versus Paroxetine in Patients With Premature Ejaculation: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Fixed-dose, Randomized Study

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of dapoxetine, paroxetine, and placebo for the oral pharmacotherapy of premature ejaculation. Materials and Methods: Three hundred forty potent men with premature ejaculation were recruited to this study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 60 mg dapoxetine (group 1, n = 115), or 20 mg paroxetine (group 2, n = 113) or placebo (group 3, n = 112) orally daily during a 12-week period for each agent. The efficacy of the 3 treatments was assessed every 2 weeks during treatment and at the end of study using responses to International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) evaluation, mean intercourse satisfaction domain, mean weekly coitus episodes and adverse drug effects. Results: At the end of the 12-week treatment with dapoxetine, paroxetine, and placebo, the mean IELT was increased from 38, 31 and 34 seconds to 179, 370 and 55 seconds, respectively (P = 0.01 in group 1 and P = 0.001 in group 2). Baseline mean intercourse satisfaction domain values of International Index of Erectile Function of 10, 11, and 11 reached 14, 17 and 12 at the end of the 12-week treatment in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (P = 0.03 in groups 1, 2). The mean weekly intercourse episodes increased from pretreatment values of 1.4, 1.3, and 1.3 to 2.2, 2.5 and 1.4, for dapoxetine, paroxetine and placebo, respectively (P = 0.04 in groups 1, 2). The incidence of adverse effects with dapoxetine and paroxetine was significantly higher (P = 0.04 in groups 1, 2) compared to that of placebo. Conclusions: Paroxetine appears to provide significantly better results in terms of IELT and intercourse satisfaction versus dapoxetine. Each treatment was well tolerated.
Using genetic programming for information retrieval: local and global query expansion

This poster presents results for two approaches using Genetic Programming (GP) to overcome the problem of term mismatch in Information Retrieval (IR). We use automatic query expansion techniques which add terms to a user's initial query in the hope that these words better describe the information need and ultimately return more relevant documents to the user.
Iterative Constrained Maximum Likelihood Estimation Via Expectation Propagation

Expectation propagation defines a family of algorithms for approximate Bayesian statistical inference which generalize belief propagation on factor graphs with loops. As is the case for belief propagation in loopy factor graphs, it is not well understood why the stationary points of expectation propagation can yield good estimates. In this paper, given a reciprocity condition which holds in most cases, we provide a constrained maximum likelihood estimation problem whose critical points yield the stationary points of expectation propagation. Expectation propagation may then be interpreted as a nonlinear block Gauss Seidel method seeking a critical point of this optimization problem
Complete protection by alpha-crystallin of lens sorbitol dehydrogenase undergoing thermal stress.

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (l-iditol:NAD(+) 2-oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.1. 1. 14) (SDH) was significantly protected from thermally induced inactivation and aggregation by bovine lens alpha-crystallin. An alpha-crystallin/SDH ratio as low as 1:2 in weight was sufficient to preserve the transparency of the enzyme solution kept for at least 2 h at 55 degrees C. Moreover, an alpha-crystallin/SDH ratio of 5:1 (w/w) was sufficient to preserve the enzyme activity fully at 55 degrees C for at least 40 min. The protection by alpha-crystallin of SDH activity was essentially unaffected by high ionic strength (i.e. 0.5 m NaCl). On the other hand, the transparency of the protein solution was lost at a high salt concentration because of the precipitation of the alpha-crystallin/SDH adduct. Magnesium and calcium ions present at millimolar concentrations antagonized the protective action exerted by alpha-crystallin against the thermally induced inactivation and aggregation of SDH. The lack of protection of alpha-crystallin against the inactivation of SDH induced at 55 degrees C by thiol blocking agents or EDTA together with the additive effect of NADH in stabilizing the enzyme in the presence of alpha-crystallin suggest that functional groups involved in catalysis are freely accessible in SDH while interacting with alpha-crystallin. Two different adducts between alpha-crystallin and SDH were isolated by gel filtration chromatography. One adduct was characterized by a high M(r) of approximately 800,000 and carried exclusively inactive SDH. A second adduct, carrying active SDH, had a size consistent with an interaction of the enzyme with monomers or low M(r) aggregates of alpha-crystallin. Even though it had a reduced efficiency with respect to alpha-crystallin, bovine serum albumin was shown to mimic the chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin in protecting SDH from thermal denaturation. These findings suggest that the multimeric structural organization of alpha-crystallin may not be a necessary requirement for the stabilization of the enzyme activity.
Domains of the TGN: Coats, Tethers and G Proteins

The trans‐Golgi network is the major sorting compartment of the secretory pathway for protein, lipid and membrane traffic. There is a constant flow of membrane and cargo to and from this compartment. Evidence is emerging that the trans‐Golgi network has multiple biochemically and functionally distinct subdomains, each of which contributes to the combined sorting and transport requirements of this dynamic compartment. The recruitment of distinct arrays of protein complexes to trans‐Golgi network membranes is likely to produce the diversity of structure and biochemistry observed amongst subdomains that serve to generate different carriers or maintain resident trans‐Golgi network components. This review discusses how these subdomains may be formed and examines the molecular players involved, including G proteins, clathrin adaptors and golgin tethers. Diversity within these protein families is highlighted and shown to be critical for the functionality of the trans‐Golgi network, as a mediator of protein sorting and membrane transport, and for the maintenance of Golgi structure.
Slot allocation using logical networks for TDM virtual-circuit configuration for network-on-chip

Configuring time-division-multiplexing (TDM) virtual circuits (VCs) for network-on-chip must guarantee conflict freedom for overlapping VCs besides allocating sufficient time slots to them. These requirements are fulfilled in the slot allocution phase. In the paper, we define the concept of a logical network (LN). Based on this concept, we develop and prove theorems that constitute sufficient and necessary conditions to establish conflict-free VCs. Using these theorems, slot allocation for VCs becomes a procedure of computing LNs and then assigning VCs to different LNs. TDM VC configuration can thus be predictable and correct-by-construction. We have integrated this slot allocation method into our multi-node VC configuration program and applied the program to an industrial application.