Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
White matter hyperintensities are a core feature of Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from the dominantly inherited Alzheimer network

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are areas of increased signal on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that most commonly reflect small vessel cerebrovascular disease. Increased WMH volume is associated with risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These observations are typically interpreted as evidence that vascular abnormalities play an additive, independent role contributing to symptom presentation, but not core features of AD. We examined the severity and distribution of WMH in presymptomatic PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP mutation carriers to determine the extent to which WMH manifest in individuals genetically determined to develop AD.
Toward Determining the Comprehensibility of Machine Translations

Economic globalization and the needs of the intelligence community have brought machine translation into the forefront. There are not enough skilled human translators to meet the growing demand for high quality translations or "good enough" translations that suffice only to enable understanding. Much research has been done in creating translation systems to aid human translators and to evaluate the output of these systems. Metrics for the latter have primarily focused on improving the overall quality of entire test sets but not on gauging the understanding of individual sentences or paragraphs. Therefore, we have focused on developing a theory of translation effectiveness by isolating a set of translation variables and measuring their effects on the comprehension of translations. In the following study, we focus on investigating how certain linguistic permutations, omissions, and insertions affect the understanding of translated texts.
Un indicador de accesibilidad a unidades de servicios clave para ciudades mexicanas: fundamentos, diseño y aplicación

Several institutions in Mexico are currently working in collaboration with the Federal Government and the UN-Habitat Programme towards building up some urban observatories to consolidate Observatorio Urbano Nacional - Red OUL (National Urban Observatory). Some of the main aims of this project is to provide some indicators that are actually useful and that can be used systematically in the decision making process of urban planers. In this paper we propose the design of an indicator of public and private service accessibility that could be applied in the urban planning tasks in a national context and thus could enrich the consolidation of urban observatories in Mexico. The paper contributes to the current debate taking place in Mexico about the importance of public and private service accessibility, as an indicator of metropolitan performance and quality.
The Hot Hand : A New Approach to an Old “ Fallacy ”

The vast literature on the Hot Hand Fallacy in basketball rests on the assumption that shot selection is independent of player-perceived hot or coldness. In this paper, we challenge this assumption using a novel dataset of over 83,000 shots from the 2012-2013 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, combined with optical tracking data of both the players and the ball. We create a comprehensive model of shot difficulty using relevant initial shot conditions, and use it to show that players who have exceeded their expectation over recent shots shoot from significantly further away, face tighter defense, are more likely to take their team’s next shot, and take more difficult shots. We then turn to the Hot Hand itself and show that players who are outperforming will continue to do so, conditional on the difficulty of their present shot. Our estimates of the Hot Hand effect range from 1.2 to 2.4 percentage points in increased likelihood of making a shot.
The Pollen Coat Proteome: At the Cutting Edge of Plant Reproduction

The tapetum is a single layer of secretory cells which encloses the anther locule and sustains pollen development and maturation. Upon apoptosis, the remnants of the tapetal cells, consisting mostly of lipids and proteins, fill the pits of the sculpted exine to form the bulk of the pollen coat. This extracellular matrix forms an impermeable barrier that protects the male gametophyte from water loss and UV light. It also aids pollen adhesion and hydration and retains small signaling compounds involved in pollen–stigma communication. In this study, we have updated the list of the pollen coat’s protein components and also discussed their functions in the context of sexual reproduction
Ceramide Phosphoethanolamine Biosynthesis in Drosophila Is Mediated by a Unique Ethanolamine Phosphotransferase in the Golgi Lumen♦

Background: Many invertebrates contain ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) rather than sphingomyelin as key membrane component. Results: Insect-specific CPE synthase belongs to a novel branch of CDP-alcohol phosphotransferases with unique membrane topology. Conclusion: CPE production is catalyzed by a CDP-ethanolamine:ceramide ethanolamine phosphotransferase in the Golgi lumen. Significance: Identification of CPE synthase provides a novel opportunity to elucidate the biological role of an enigmatic but widespread sphingolipid. Sphingomyelin (SM) is a vital component of mammalian membranes, providing mechanical stability and a structural framework for plasma membrane organization. Its production involves the transfer of phosphocholine from phosphatidylcholine onto ceramide, a reaction catalyzed by SM synthase in the Golgi lumen. Drosophila lacks SM and instead synthesizes the SM analogue ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) as the principal membrane sphingolipid. The corresponding CPE synthase shares mechanistic features with enzymes mediating phospholipid biosynthesis via the Kennedy pathway. Using a functional cloning strategy, we here identified a CDP-ethanolamine:ceramide ethanolamine phosphotransferase as the enzyme responsible for CPE production in Drosophila. CPE synthase constitutes a new branch within the CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase superfamily with homologues in Arthropoda (insects, spiders, mites, scorpions), Cnidaria (Hydra, sea anemones), and Mollusca (oysters) but not in most other animal phyla. The enzyme resides in the Golgi complex with its active site facing the lumen, contrary to the membrane topology of other CDP-alcohol phosphotransferases. Our findings open up an important new avenue to address the biological role of CPE, an enigmatic membrane constituent of a wide variety of invertebrate and marine organisms.
Xal-Ease®: impact of an ocular hypotensive delivery device on ease of eyedrop administration, patient compliance, and satisfaction

Purpose To measure the impact of the Xal-Ease® delivery device on ease of eyedrop administration and on treatment compliance and satisfaction. Methods This prospective, multicenter, randomized, comparative, crossover study was conducted at 43 sites in France. Eligible subjects were >18 years of age, were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, had been treated with latanoprost or fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol for ≥3 months prior to enrollment, and did not require a therapy change. Subjects used either Xal-Ease or the dropper bottle for 4 weeks and then switched to the alternate delivery method for the next 4 weeks. Subjects completed questionnaires after 1 and 4 weeks in each treatment period. Results In all, 211 subjects were enrolled, 107 to the Xal-Ease/dropper bottle group and 104 to the dropper bottle/Xal-Ease group. Baseline demographic and ocular characteristics were similar. Use of Xal-Ease made it significantly less likely that the subject would need someone to help with drop instillation (6.9% vs 18.1%, respectively; p<0.001) and reduced the problem of the tip of the bottle touching the eye (3.2% vs 35.6%, respectively; p<0.001). Reported compliance rates were very high and similar across groups during both treatment periods. After 1 month of use during both treatment periods, more than 70% of subjects reported global satisfaction with Xal-Ease to their physicians. No adverse events associated with the use of Xal-Ease were noted. Conclusions Xal-Ease generally makes administration of latanoprost or fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol easier compared with the dropper bottle.
Urolithiasis in Italy: an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVES Worldwide the urolithiasis is the third most frequent urological disease affecting both males and females. In literature there are not recent Italian epidemiological data about stone disease. The objective of this study is the evaluation of current epidemiology of urolithiasis in Italy using the Health Search/CSD Longitudinal Patient Database (HS) database. MATERIAL AND METHODS An observational, descriptive, retrospective trial was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: family physician- assisted Italian living population member of HS database within 31 December 2012, both genders, age over 17 years, at least two years of clinical history recorded from the beginning the trial. Data were collected by HS database and elaborated by its software Millewin®. RESULTS In Italy prevalence of urolithiasis in 2012 was 4.14%, it was higher in males than in females (4.53% versus 3.78%) with a positive relation with increasing age. The highest prevalence rate of urolithiasis was reported in the region Campania (6.08%). The general incidence was 2.23 * 1000, with the highest incidence in the region Sicilia (3.15 * 1000). Incidence was higher in group age 65-74 years (3.18 * 1000). CONCLUSIONS In Italy the incidence and prevalence of urolithiasis is increasing with particular distribution in relation to gender, age and regional position.
Inverse Total Variation Flow

In this paper we analyze iterative regularization with the Bregman distance of the total variation seminorm. Moreover, we prove existence of a solution of the corresponding flow equation as introduced in [M. Burger, G. Gilboa, S. Osher, and J. Xu, Commun. Math. Sci., 4 (2006), pp. 179–212] in a functional analytical setting using methods from convex analysis. The results are generalized to variational denoising methods with ${\rm L}^p$-norm fit-to-data terms and Bregman distance regularization terms. For the associated flow equations well-posedness is derived using recent results on metric gradient flows from [L. Ambrosio, N. Gigli, and G. Savare, Gradient Flows in Metric Spaces and in the Space of Probability Measures, Lectures in Mathematics ETH Zurich, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 2005]. In contrast to previous work the results of this paper apply for the analysis of variational denoising methods with the Bregman distance under adequate noise assumptions. Aside from the theoretical results we introduce a .
Identification of surface proteins and antigens from larval stages of Ascaris suum by two-dimensional electrophoresis

An understanding of the biology of the cuticle in the larval stages of Ascariodea is of importance since the cuticle molecules not only possess a variety of functions related to survival but also have a potential role as a target for immunoprophylaxis. Thus, we made a preliminary characterization of surface proteins and antigens from 3rd-stage larvae (L3) and lung-stage larvae of Ascaris suum using two biotin-derivatives and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D–PAGE). The proteins labelled with biotin comprised a total of 37 and 32 spots, with molecular weights (Mr) ranging from 15 to 101kDa and isoelectric points (pI) from 3·8 to 7·6, in L3 and lung-stage larvae, respectively. The profiles revealed that the individual spots bound to one or both biotin derivatives. In addition, stage-common and stage-specific spots were found in L3 and lung-stage larvae. 2D–PAGE/immunoblotting analysis was performed with antisera from rabbits repeatedly inoculated with A. suum L3. Nineteen spots were recognized as surface antigens, with Mr ranging from 32 to 66kDa and pI from 4·9 to 7·6, from L3 and lung-stage larvae after alignment of the immunoblots with the profile of the surface proteins. These spots were found to include stage-common and stage-specific antigens. Identification of surface proteins by biotin labelling combined with 2D–PAGE allows a substantial shortening of sample preparation time for the target proteins, and will be a viable method for protein analysis of surface proteins and antigens of A. suum L3 and lung-stage larvae.
Evaluating atomic models of F-actin with an undecagold-tagged phalloidin derivative.

We have prepared an undecagold-tagged phalloidin derivative to determine this mushroom toxin's binding site and orientation within the F-actin filament by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and 3-D helical reconstruction. Remarkably, when stoichiometrically bound to F-actin, the undecagold moiety of the derivative could be directly visualized by STEM along the two half-staggered long-pitch helical strands of single filaments. Most importantly, the structural data obtained when combined with various biochemical constraints enabled us to critically evaluate two distinct atomic models of the F-actin filament (i.e. the Holmes-Lorenz versus the Schutt-Lindberg model). Taken together, our data are in excellent agreement with the Holmes-Lorenz model.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin—Food Sources, Bioavailability and Dietary Variety in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Protection

Lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) are the predominant carotenoids which accumulate in the retina of the eye. The impact of L/Z intake on the risk and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the developed world, has been investigated in cohort studies and clinical trials. The aims of this review were to critically examine the literature and evaluate the current evidence relating to L/Z intake and AMD, and describe important food sources and factors that increase the bioavailability of L/Z, to inform dietary models. Cohort studies generally assessed L/Z from dietary sources, while clinical trials focused on providing L/Z as a supplement. Important considerations to take into account in relation to dietary L/Z include: nutrient-rich sources of L/Z, cooking methods, diet variety and the use of healthy fats. Dietary models include examples of how suggested effective levels of L/Z can be achieved through diet alone, with values of 5 mg and 10 mg per day described. These diet models depict a variety of food sources, not only from dark green leafy vegetables, but also include pistachio nuts and other highly bioavailable sources of L/Z such as eggs. This review and the diet models outlined provide information about the importance of diet variety among people at high risk of AMD or with early signs and symptoms of AMD.
On the New Social Relations around and beyond Food. Analysing Consumers' Role and Action in Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale (Solidarity Purchasing Groups)

This article aims at analysing the features and the dynamics of those alternative agri-food networks in which consumers act as initiators. Drawing on a survey of ongoing initiatives at national level and on evidence from empirical fieldwork in a specific territorial context showing a variegated and dynamic reality at this regard (Tuscany), the article analyses consumers' evolving attitudes and behaviour, around and even beyond food, unfolding during their involvement in these initiatives. In particular, it focuses on the experience of the solidarity-based purchasing groups, consumers' organisations promoted by groups of citizens aiming at getting control of the food they consume. Using an actor–network perspective, the article analyses how purchasing and consumption routines change when consumers join these initiatives. The article also discusss the potential of these initiatives as drivers of change along with the following questions: to what extent do these initiatives challenge dominant food practices and system governance? On what basis are these initiatives sustainable and are replicable in different contexts? How can they foster other forms of civic engagement? In this regard, the article tests a transition management approach, considering solidarity-based purchasing groups as socio-technical niches within broader socio-technical regimes in a macro landscape characterised by the globalisation of the food system. In particular, it analyses the critical points where niches enter in conflict with existing socio-technical regimes, and the way in which these groups act to remove legal, technological and cultural barriers to their development.
Normothermic liver preservation: a new paradigm?

Despite increasing donor numbers, waiting lists and pre‐transplant mortality continue to grow in many countries. The number of donor organs suitable for liver transplantation is restricted by cold preservation and ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). Transplantation of marginal donor organs has led to renewed interest in new techniques which have the potential to improve the quality of preservation, assess the quality of the organ and allow repair of the donor organ prior to transplantation. If successful, such techniques would not only improve the outcome of currently transplanted marginal livers, but also increase the donor pool. Experimental evidence suggests that preservation under near physiological conditions of temperature and oxygenation abrogates IRI. Normothermic perfusion maintains the organ in a physiological state, avoiding the depletion of cellular energy and the accumulation of waste products, which occurs with static cold storage. It enables viability assessment prior to transplantation thereby reducing the risk of transplanting inherently marginal organs. Here we review the use of normothermic machine perfusion as a means of organ preservation.
Host based Anomaly Detection using Fuzzy Genetic Approach (FGA)

Intrusion is a fast growing security threat to the computers which fails the security of the system. The researchers have proposed number of techniques such as firewall, encryption etc. to prevent such penetration and protect the systems. With all these measures also, the intruders managed to penetrate the computers. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) monitor the resources of the computer, detect the malicious/suspicious activity either on a single machine or on the network which is different from the legitimate user activity and send the reports of such activity. The paper proposes to detect anomalous user behavior on a single machine based on the system log files using fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms.
Privacy Preservation Decision TreeBased On Data Set Complementation

Privacy preservation in data mining has been a popular and an important research area for more than a decade due to its vast spectrum of applications. A new class of data mining method called privacy preserving data mining algorithm has been developed. The aim of this algorithm is to protect the sensitive information in data from the large amount of data set. The privacy preservation of data set can be expressed in the form of decision tree, cluster or association rule. This paper proposes a privacy preservation based on data set complement algorithms which store the information of the real dataset. So that the private data can be safe from the unauthorized party, if some portion of the data can be lost, then we can reconstructed the original data set from the unrealized dataset and the perturbing data set.
The relationship between psychosocial factors and asthma morbidity in inner-city children with asthma.

OBJECTIVE Children living in the inner city are affected disproportionately by asthma morbidity and mortality. Previous research has shown that behavioral and psychosocial factors affect asthma morbidity in children. The National Cooperative Inner-City Asthma Study investigated the factors that contribute to asthma morbidity among inner-city children. This article examines the relationship between psychosocial factors and asthma morbidity in this population. METHODS A total of 1528 English- and Spanish-speaking children 4 to 9 years of age with asthma and their primary caretakers were recruited from 8 research centers in 7 metropolitan inner-city areas in the United States. Psychosocial variables were assessed at baseline and included measures of child and caretaker mental health, caretaker's problems with alcohol, life stress, social support, and parenting style. Morbidity measures were evaluated at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up intervals. These included number of hospitalizations and unscheduled visits for asthma in the past 3 months and number of days of wheeze and functional status in the previous 2-week period. RESULTS Of the psychosocial variables assessed, mental health had the strongest relationship to children's asthma morbidity. Children whose caretakers had clinically significant levels of mental health problems were hospitalized for asthma at almost twice the rate as children whose caretakers did not have significant mental health problems. Children with clinically significant behavior problems had significantly more days of wheeze and poorer functional status in the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Psychosocial factors, particularly the mental health of children and caretakers, are significant factors in predicting asthma morbidity. They may need to be included in intervention programs aimed at decreasing asthma morbidity in inner-city children with asthma in order for these programs to be successful.
Blastocyst implantation: the adhesion cascade.

This review covers the sequence of cell adhesion events occurring during implantation of the mammalian embryo, concentrating on data from mouse and human. The analogy is explored between initial attachment of trophoblast to the uterine lining epithelium and that of neutrophils to the endothelial lining of blood vessels at sites of inflammation. The possible role of various carbohydrate ligands in initial attachment of the blastocyst is reviewed. The evidence for subsequent stabilization of cell adhesion via integrins or the trophinin-tastin complex is discussed.
Modifiers of cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND There is substantial variability in cancer risk in women who have inherited a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation. Numerous factors have been hypothesized to modify these risks, but studies are of variable quality, and it remains unclear which of these may be of value in clinical risk assessment. METHODS PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published through September 2013. Fixed effects meta-analysis was done using the hazard ratios and/or odds ratios to estimate the pooled effect estimates (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify factors that are associated with cancer risk modification in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. RESULTS We identified 44 nonoverlapping studies that met predefined quality criteria. Sufficient evidence is available to make clinically relevant inferences about a number of cancer risk modifiers. The only variable examined that produced a probable association was late age at first live birth, a meta-analysis showed a decrease in the risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers with women aged 30 years or older vs. women younger than 30 years (ES = 0.65; 95% CI =0.42 to 0.99). The same was shown for women aged 25 to 29 years versus those aged less than 25 years (ES = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.99). Breastfeeding and tubal ligation were associated with reduced ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers; oral contraceptives were associated with reduced risk among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Smoking was associated with increased breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers only. CONCLUSIONS Data assessing many potential risk modifiers are inadequate, and many have not been externally validated. Although additional studies are required to confirm some associations, sufficient information is available for some risk factors to be used in risk counseling or lifestyle modification to minimize cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers