Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Angiotensinogen Gene Core Promoter Variants and Non-Modulating Hypertension

Non-modulation has been suggested as a possible intermediate phenotype defining a subgroup of genetic hypertension. The trait is characterized by an attenuated response of renal blood flow and/or aldosterone to angiotensin (Ang) II. We tested the hypothesis that functional polymorphisms of the core promoter of the angiotensinogen gene are associated with non-modulation. Fifty-six young, white, male, untreated hypertensive patients and 65 age-matched normotensive volunteers were genotyped for 3 known functional variants of the angiotensinogen core promoter. All subjects were infused with 2 doses (0.5 and 3 ng/kg per minute) of Ang II while they were on a high sodium diet (250 mmol/d). The blood pressure, renal plasma flow, and aldosterone responses to Ang II were not affected by the −6 G/A polymorphism. The −20 A/C variant had no significant effects on the blood pressure or renal hemodynamic response to Ang II. However, the aldosterone response to both doses of Ang II was significantly decreased in −20 C allele carriers compared with −20 AA homozygotes in a multivariate analysis. The −18 T allele was not detected in our population, and there was a linkage dysequilibrium between −20 C and −6 A: −20 C almost exclusively occurred on the −6 A allele. Haplotype analysis indicated that the −20 C/−6 A haplotype but not the −20 A/−6 A haplotype was associated with a decreased aldosterone response to Ang II. We conclude that the −20 C variant or the −20 C/−6 A haplotype of the angiotensinogen core promoter is associated with a blunted aldosterone response to Ang II and may thus contribute to the non-modulating phenotype.
Provisioning QoS in Virtual Private Network using Dynamic Scheduling

Active and programmable networks change the functionality of routers and switches by using VPN endpoints and active packets. The authors present a new packet scheduling scheme called active scheduling to control and maintain QoS parameters in virtual private networks (VPNs) within the confines of adaptive and programmable networks. In active scheduling a VPN endpoint on the router monitors the accumulated queuing delay for each service. To control and to keep the end-to-end delay within the bounds, the delays of the packet transmitted are adjusted dynamically by VPN endpoints on the routers spanning the VPN. If there is an increase or decrease in delay of packets, VPN endpoints on a source node informs the destination node to adjust the delay of the packets. This keeps the end-to-end delay of services within the specified bounds and offers better QoS compared with VPNs using static priority scheduling. An algorithm for active scheduling is described and simulation results are presented and compared with priority scheduling.
Ereigniskorrelierte Potentiale bei schizophrenen Patienten im akuten Krankheitsschub und in Remission

In 15 schizophrenic patients event-related potentials were recorded during an auditory two-tone-discrimination task in the acute phase and after remission. The control group consisted of ten healthy subjects of the same age. The schizophrenic patients showed reduced amplitudes of N1, P2 and P3 and prolonged latencies of N2 and P3 independent of neuroleptic medication and clinical state. We found no differences in the topographical distribution of P3 between schizophrenic patients and controls. The changes of the event-related potentials in the schizophrenic patients may be interpreted as electrophysiological correlates of basic disturbances in information processing in schizophrenia.
Efficiency based modulation for wheelchair driving collaborative control

This work presents a new approach to shared control to assist wheelchair driving. Rather than swapping control from human to robot either by request or on a need basis, the system estimates how much help is needed in a reactive fashion and continuously produces an emergent motory command in combination with human input. To provide time stability and integration, instant commands are modulated by a factor depending on human efficiency in a shifting time window. Thus, the better the person drives, the more control he/she is awarded with. The approach has been tested at Fondazione Santa Lucia (FSL) in Rome with volunteers presenting different disabilities. All volunteers managed to finish a mildly complicated trajectory with door crossing and major turns and the proposed system increased efficiency in all cases.
5G-Crosshaul Network Slicing: Enabling Multi-Tenancy in Mobile Transport Networks

5G requires a redesign of transport networks in order to feed the increasingly bandwidth hungry radio access networks and to benefit from the performance/cost efficiency provided by the integration of both backhaul and fronthaul segments over the same transport substrate as well as the incorporation of cloud RAN architectures. In addition, to increase its usage and cost efficiency, this new transport network should allow simultaneous use by different tenants (e.g. MVNOs, OTTs, and vertical industries). This article presents the 5G transport network architecture designed in the 5G-Crosshaul project to address this challenge. An SDN/NFV-based control plane has been designed that enables multi-tenancy through network slicing. The proposed solution allows for flexible and efficient allocation of transport network resources (networking and computing) to multiple tenants by leveraging on widespread architectural frameworks for NFV (ETSI NFV) and SDN (e.g., Open Daylight and ONOS).
Perceiving emotion in melody: Interactive effects of pitch and rhythm.

We examined effects of pitch and rhythm on the perceived emotional content of short melodies. We initially developed exemplars of melodies that were judged consistently to convey a single emotional category: happy, sad, or scary. We subsequently manipulated the pitch and rhythm parameters to derive three altered versions of each exemplar: a pitch-only version (pitch differences intact but all tones of equal duration), a rhythmonly version (durational differences intact but all tones of equal pitch), and a baseline version (all tones of equal duration and pitch). Listeners rated how well each exemplar and altered version conveyed its corresponding emotion. Effects of pitch and rhythm varied across melodies. In all cases, ratings were influenced more by differences in pitch than by differences in rhythm. Whenever rhythm affected ratings, it interacted with pitch.
Multidisciplinary Prospective Study of Mother-to-Child Chikungunya Virus Infections on the Island of La Réunion

Background An outbreak of chikungunya virus affected over one-third of the population of La Réunion Island between March 2005 and December 2006. In June 2005, we identified the first case of mother-to-child chikungunya virus transmission at the Groupe Hospitalier Sud-Réunion level-3 maternity department. The goal of this prospective study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, biological, and radiological features and outcomes of all the cases of vertically transmitted chikungunya infections recorded at our institution during this outbreak. Methods and Findings Over 22 mo, 7,504 women delivered 7,629 viable neonates; 678 (9.0%) of these parturient women were infected (positive RT-PCR or IgM serology) during antepartum, and 61 (0.8%) in pre- or intrapartum. With the exception of three early fetal deaths, vertical transmission was exclusively observed in near-term deliveries (median duration of gestation: 38 wk, range 35–40 wk) in the context of intrapartum viremia (19 cases of vertical transmission out of 39 women with intrapartum viremia, prevalence rate 0.25%, vertical transmission rate 48.7%). Cesarean section had no protective effect on transmission. All infected neonates were asymptomatic at birth, and median onset of neonatal disease was 4 d (range 3–7 d). Pain, prostration, and fever were present in 100% of cases and thrombocytopenia in 89%. Severe illness was observed in ten cases (52.6%) and mainly consisted of encephalopathy (n = 9; 90%). These nine children had pathologic MRI findings (brain swelling, n = 9; cerebral hemorrhages, n = 2), and four evolved towards persistent disabilities. Conclusions Mother-to-child chikungunya virus transmission is frequent in the context of intrapartum maternal viremia, and often leads to severe neonatal infection. Chikungunya represents a substantial risk for neonates born to viremic parturients that should be taken into account by clinicians and public health authorities in the event of a chikungunya outbreak.
Moving along to things left undone

Cet article elabore sur trois domaines de theorie clinique qui sont presentes et discutes dans l'article principal et les autres articles de ce symposium. Le premier probleme etudie est le concept de la relation reelle lorsque utilisee dans le modele de changement psychotherapeutique du moment de rencontre. Tout d'abord, une attention particuliere a ete placee sur le passe, le present et la hierarchie de buts dans la relation de traitement. Ensuite, cet article explore le concept de connaissance relationnelle implicite notamment en ce qui concerne les concepts de transfert, de contre-transfert, d'interpretation, et de comprehension du processus de changement. Finalement, cet article examine la nature du moment present dans le modele de moment de rencontre. Les facons dont ce concept est lie aux changements dans l'organisation du cerveau sont specifiquement expliquees, ainsi que les facons dont le modele de moment de rencontre est lie a d'autres modeles de psychotherapie, tels que les ecoles relationnelles et la psychologie du self.
Dual Funding for Dual Enrollment: An Inducement or an Impediment?

While the strategy of funding both systems provides an incentive for both school districts and community colleges to participate with dual enrollment, the current fiscal environment has drawn attention to the inefficient use of the dual funding structure. This article highlights the results of a case study on Florida's dual enrollment program documenting how over a 20-year period policymakers offered different financial incentives as an inducement to greater participation among districts and community colleges. The article documents how the current state fiscal condition has altered lawmaker's motivations for supporting dual enrollment. It concludes by describing the implications of this on community college participation with dual enrollment.
The Ralstonia solanacearum pathogenicity regulator HrpB induces 3-hydroxy-oxindole synthesis

The transcriptional activator HrpB of the bacterial wilt causing betaproteobacterium Ralstonia solanacearum represents a key regulator for pathogenicity. In particular, it drives expression of hrp genes encoding a type III secretion system (T3SS) as well as effector molecules for delivery into the host cytosol to promote disease. However, the HrpB regulon extends beyond this T3SS. We describe here an HrpB-activated operon of six genes that is responsible for the synthesis of a fluorescent isatin derivative of 149 Amu that we named HDF for HrpB-dependent factor and that we purified from culture supernatants. The structure of the labile molecule was solved by using NMR and CD spectroscopy to be (3S)-3-hydroxy-indolin-2-one and confirmed by its chemical synthesis and MS spectrometry. HDF was found to be present at 20 nM in wild-type cultures grown on minimal medium, and its synthesis increased 15-fold upon overproduction of HrpB, confirming that HrpB activates HDF synthesis. The addition of tryptophan significantly stimulated HDF biosynthesis and was shown to represent the precursor molecule for HDF synthesis. A search for the biological function of the molecule revealed that HDF induces acyl-homoserine lactone receptor-mediated reporter activity of the well studied LuxR transcriptional regulator of Vibrio fischeri. Thus, our results provide evidence that the specificity of acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) receptors is clearly broader than previously considered. The failure to detect induction by HDF of the described endogenous quorum-sensing circuits of the pathogen points to a role in interfering with cell–cell signaling of rivalling bacteria.
Prevention of Vaginal SHIV Transmission in Macaques by a Coitally-Dependent Truvada Regimen

Background Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with Truvada (a combination of emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate (TDF)) is a novel HIV prevention strategy recently found to prevent HIV transmission in men who have sex with men and heterosexual couples. We previously showed that a coitally-dependent Truvada regimen protected macaques against rectal SHIV transmission. Here we examined FTC and tenofovir TFV exposure in vaginal tissues after oral dosing and assessed if peri-coital Truvada also protects macaques against vaginal SHIV infection. Methods The pharmacokinetic profile of emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir (TFV) was evaluated at first dose. FTC and TFV levels were measured in blood plasma, rectal, and vaginal secretions. Intracellular concentrations of FTC-triphosphate (FTC-TP) and TFV-diphosphate (TFV-DP) were measured in PBMCs, rectal tissues, and vaginal tissues. Efficacy of Truvada in preventing vaginal SHIV infection was assessed using a repeat-exposure vaginal SHIV transmission model consisting of weekly exposures to low doses of SHIV162p3. Six pigtail macaques with normal menstrual cycles received Truvada 24 h before and 2 h after each weekly virus exposure and six received placebo. Infection was monitored by serology and PCR amplification of SHIV RNA and DNA. Results As in humans, the concentration of FTC was higher than the concentration of TFV in vaginal secretions. Also as in humans, TFV levels in vaginal secretions were lower than in rectal secretions. Intracellular TFV-DP concentrations were also lower in vaginal tissues than in rectal tissues. Despite the low vaginal TFV exposure, all six treated macaques were protected from infection after 18 exposures or 4 full menstrual cycles. In contrast, all 6 control animals were infected. Conclusions We modeled a peri-coital regimen with two doses of Truvada and showed that it fully protected macaques from repeated SHIV exposures. Our results open the possibility for simplified PrEP regimens to prevent vaginal HIV transmission in women.
Comment on McLeod and Hume, Overlapping Mental Operations in Serial Performance with Preview: Typing

This paper deals with the claim made by McLeod and Hume (this issue) that, for a skilled typist, the rate of responding is controlled by a limit on the number of responses that can be executed simultaneously, not by a limit on response selection. I point out that McLeod and Hume's observations are consistent with various interpretations, including one in which response rates are limited by response selection. I also note the importance of trying to distinguish structural and strategic bottlenecks in speeded responding.
Exploring Genetic Susceptibility to Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects 1% to 5% of the population, and approximately 90% of the affected individuals are women. FM patients experience impaired quality of life and the disorder places a considerable economic burden on the medical care system. With the recognition of FM as a major health problem, many recent studies have evaluated the pathophysiology of FM. Although the etiology of FM remains unknown, it is thought to involve some combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure that triggers further alterations in gene expression. Because FM shows marked familial aggregation, most previous research has focused on genetic predisposition to FM and has revealed associations between genetic factors and the development of FM, including specific gene polymorphisms involved in the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and catecholaminergic pathways. The aim of this review was to discuss the current evidence regarding genetic factors that may play a role in the development and symptom severity of FM.
Species Conservation and Minority Rights: The Case of Springtime Bird Hunting in Åland

The article examines the case of springtime bird hunting in Åland from a moral point of view. In Åland springtime hunting has been a cultural practice for centuries but is now under investigation due to the EU Directive on the protection of birds. The main question of the article is whether restrictions on bird hunting have a sound basis. We approach this question by analysing three principles: The animal rights principle states that if hunting is not necessary for survival, it cannot be morally justified. Therefore hunting merely to engage in a cultural custom is morally suspect. In the light of the species conservation principle the hunting is questionable due to the fact that it seems to have a diminishing effect on the species populations. The formal principle of justice makes up a more difficult question since the special position of the minorities in regard to the use of natural resources is generally recognised so that they have the right to maintain their cultural practices. We claim, however, that even though cultural practices have substantial value and can be the object of special rights, they should be coherent with other principles. The springtime bird hunt in Åland does not accord with the relevant moral principles and for this reason we conclude that the basis for its continuation is weak.
Swarming with mixed position and heading based neighboring interactions

Previously, we proposed a topological-based swarming model in which agents probabilistically decide which other agents to interact with based on the proximity of positions of agents. Agents then average their direction with the directions of the agents they have interacted with. In this paper, we improve the model mentioned-above by taking the influence of similarity of directions into consideration, and the former model can be considered as a special case of this model here. We propose a probabilistic method which depends on both proximity of agents' positions and similarity of agents' moving directions. And agents are more likely to form links with those agents who carry a similar direction to theirs and those agents who are proximal to them. We show that there exits a non-zero positive lower bound of the selection probability, and the system can be connected in probability, which ensures the system's achievement of swarming. And by simulations, it is shown that the rate of getting alignment exhibit a strong correlation with the parameters of the system which are weighting factor, neighborhood size, proximity factor and similarity factor.
Reduced-Cost CEM Problems through Model Simplification and A-Priori Information

Two methods are considered to reduce the cost of large electromagnetic problems. The first is an approach to evaluate integrals associated with the method of moments in such a way that the number of quadrature points depends only on the desired accuracy and not on the frequency. In the second method, it is shown that EM problems involving metallic bodies coated with low-contrast dielectrics may be accurately solved with the same cost as metal-only problems by modifying the potentials associated with the electric field integral equation.
Long-term follow-up of tracheoplasty using autologous pericardial patch and strips of costal cartilage.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate long-term results of tracheoplasty using autologous pericardial patch and strips of costal cartilage for relieving severe long-segment tracheal stenosis. METHODS Data were collected retrospectively by clinical chart review. Between 1995 and 2013, 21 patients underwent tracheoplasty. Follow-up was performed by outpatient chart review; otherwise, referring physicians and parents were contacted and asked to fill in a questionnaire. RESULTS Median age at the time of operation was 0.9 (range 0.5-44) years. Aetiology of tracheal stenosis was double aortic arch in 9 patients, right arch with a left ductus in 3, innominate artery compression in 1 patient, complete tracheal rings in 7, 3 of whom with pulmonary artery sling and 2 with agenesis of one lung, and other causes in 1 patient. Previous surgery was performed in 6 (29%) patients. Patch tracheoplasty was performed using autologous pericardial patch and external stenting using costal cartilage. Major complications were mediastinitis and patch dehiscence in 2 patients, 2 patients needed tracheal cannula and 1 patient had stent implantation. Three (14%) patients died in the late postoperative period: 1 patient died of sepsis, 1 had patch dehiscence and 1 erosion of tracheal stent and consequently intractable bleeding. Follow-up was 6.1±2.7 years (0.75-10 years). At follow-up, 2 (11%) patients were still symptomatic, 4 (22%) had occasionally mild symptoms and 12 (67%) were free of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Treatment for severe tracheal stenosis remains challenging. With tracheoplasty using autologous pericardial patch and strips of costal cartilage, long and narrow tracheal stenosis can be repaired. There are no limitations as to the length and location and severity of the stenosis. Tracheoplasty is associated with a high complication rate. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to ensure favourable long-term outcomes.
Influence of dry period length on reproductive performance and productivity of Lacaune dairy sheep under an intensive management system

Intensive management is almost the only way to ensure dairy farm profitability. The dry period length (DPL) is a key factor in the productivity and health of dairy cows, but whether the same is true of dairy sheep is unclear. This study investigated the effects of DPL on the performance of Lacaune sheep under intensive management. We recorded 8136 lactations from 4220 ewes on one farm for the period 2005–2010, and data from a total of 6762 complete lactations 1–4 were included in the study. The length of the dry period following the current lactation was studied. The larger the total milk yield (MY) and daily milk yield (DMY), the shorter was the DPL before the next lactation. DPL correlated with MY (r=−0·384), DMY (r=−0·277) and the lambing-to-conception interval (LC; r=0·201, P<0·0001) in the global analysis of all lactations (lactations 1–4). The influence of previous-DPL (P-DPL), or the length of the period prior to the start of the next lactation, was studied for 4318 lactations. P-DPL was classified into five intervals: very short (P-DPL-XS), 1–30 d; short (P-DPL-S), 31–60 d; medium (P-DPL-M), 61–90 d; long (P-DPL-L), 91–120 d; and very long (P-DPL-XL), >120 d. P-DPL positively correlated with lambing-to-next conception interval (LNC; r=0·095, P<0·0001) for lactations 1–4. LNC was significantly shorter for P-DPLs that were very short, short, or long (P-PDL-XS, 144·2±67·8 d; P-PDL-S, 149·1±57·2 d; P-PDL-L, 152·0±53·7 d) than for groups with very long or medium P-PDLs (P-DPL-XL, 161·5±62·9 d; P-DPL-M, 169·0±74·8 d; P<0·0001). Moreover, P-DPLs that were very short, long, or very long were associated with the lowest milk yields (P-PDL-XS, 377±215 l; P-PDL-l, 370±168 l; P-PDL-XL, 396±196 l). These yields were significantly lower than the yields for short and medium P-DPLs (P-DPL-S, 432±187 l; P-DPL-M, 436±191 l; P<0·0001) when averages of lactations 1–4 were analysed. These results indicate that lactations with larger MY are followed by a shorter dry period, and that a dry period of 30–90 d leads to larger yields in the next lactation. The best LNC was associated with the shortest Previous-DPL. Hence, 30–60 d should be the optimal dry period length for Lacaune sheep under intensive conditions.