Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Programmed cell death during mammary tissue involution induced by weaning, litter removal, and milk stasis

Programmed cell death in mammary tissue was studied during natural weaning in lactating mice and after litter removal or milk stasis. All treatments stimulated mammary apoptosis, indicating that this process is an integral part of the tissue's involution after lactation. Induction of apoptosis was slower in natural weaning than after litter removal but occurred earlier when mice were concurrently pregnant during natural weaning. Ipsilateral induction of apoptosis by milk stasis in teat‐sealed glands indicates that cell death is under local (i.e., intramammary) as well as endocrine regulation. Apoptosis detected by DNA laddering was associated with changes in expression of p53 and bax, two genes implicated in the regulation of cell death, and was accompanied by structural degeneration characteristic of mammary involution. Reciprocal changes in stromelysin mRNA, and that of its inhibitor TIMP‐2, suggested that this structural reorganisation was the result of coordinated changes in gene expression favouring proteolysis of the extracellular matrix. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Socio-economic status in fl uences chronic kidney disease prevalence in primary care : a community-based cross-sectional analysis

Background. Primary care chronic kidney disease (CKD) registers report widely varying prevalence within the UK. We examined the effects of laboratory ascertainment and adjusting for practice-level variables on the variation in CKD prevalence. We carried out an Ayrshire-wide laboratory database analysis of primary care practices (PCPs). Methods. We analysed 54 PCPs with 313 639 registered patients aged ≥18. All patients with a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m) had their serum creatinine values extracted from 1st January 2009 to 31st March 2012. Individuals with CKD stage 3–5 were identified with an algorithm that confirmed chronicity. These data were linked to PCP attributes from Information Services Division, Scotland. Using laboratory-ascertained CKD prevalence, we examined whether adjusting for practice-level factors [socio-economic status (SES), rurality and patients to general practitioner ratio (PGR)] and patient-level factors (age, gender) explained some of the observed variation among PCPs. Individual and combined hierarchical multilinear regression models were used. Results. Eighteen thousand two hundred and eighty-five (5.8%) had CKD stage 3–5 on 31 March 2011. SES, rurality and PGR predicted 39% (F(3,50) = 12.37, P < 0.001) of the variation in prevalence with SES exerting the most influence (25%). With the stepwise addition of explanatory variables, variation between practices fell from 3.9-fold using PCP register prevalence to laboratory ascertained (3.1-fold variation), with age and gender adjustment (further fall to 2.1-fold), and lastly to 1.8-fold variation with adjustment for SES. Funnel plots using these adjustments reduced the number of outliers outside of 3 SD from 15 to 7 to 6, and outliers between 2 and 3 SD by 16 to 13 to 5. Conclusions. Laboratory ascertainment is practicable, reduces variation and facilitates benchmarking. PCP attributes other than age and gender impact on prevalence. Over a third of variation in CKD prevalence among PCPs can be explained by rurality, PGR and especially SES even after age and gender stratification.
A Common Pathogenic Mechanism Linking Type-2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence from Animal Models

The failure of large-scale drug trials targeting the amyloidogenic pathway in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing the need to identify a novel pathogenic mechanism. Studies finding a relationship between sporadic AD and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are now receiving more attention. The risk for developing both T2DM and sporadic AD increases exponentially with age, and having T2DM doubles the risk of developing AD. The postmortem brains of AD patients show altered activities of insulin receptors and downstream molecules, as well as reduced protein and mRNA levels of insulin. More-recent laboratory research using animal models has identified mechanisms that are shared by diabetes and AD. Exogenous application of streptozotocin, which disrupts systemic insulin secretion, results in insulin deficiency, increased tau phosphorylation, and cognitive impairments that can be reversed by exogenous insulin supplementation. However, AD pathology is more severe in T2DM animal models exhibiting hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and this is not modulated by insulin. The symptoms of this AD pathology included increased tau phosphorylation at multiple sites, increased tau cleavage, and greater neuronal and synaptic damage, even with increased amyloid β protein production. It has therefore been suggested that hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance represent major factors underlying AD in T2DM. A recent study involving cross-mating ob/ob and amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice provided evidence that T2DM and AD aggravate each other, and suggested that cerebral vessels constitute an important substrate that is commonly damaged by the two major disorders. Given the evidence provided by animal models, further investigation of the mechanisms underlying T2DM in AD should help to identify potential treatment targets in AD.
Computational sprinting on a hardware/software testbed

CMOS scaling trends have led to an inflection point where thermal constraints (especially in mobile devices that employ only passive cooling) preclude sustained operation of all transistors on a chip --- a phenomenon called "dark silicon. " Recent research proposed computational sprinting --- exceeding sustainable thermal limits for short intervals --- to improve responsiveness in light of the bursty computation demands of many media-rich interactive mobile applications. Computational sprinting improves responsiveness by activating reserve cores (parallel sprinting) and/or boosting frequency/voltage (frequency sprinting) to power levels that far exceed the system's sustainable cooling capabilities, relying on thermal capacitance to buffer heat. Prior work analyzed the feasibility of sprinting through modeling and simulation. In this work, we investigate sprinting using a hardware/software testbed. First, we study unabridged sprints, wherein the computation completes before temperature becomes critical, demonstrating a 6.3x responsiveness gain, and a 6% energy efficiency improvement by racing to idle. We then analyze truncated sprints, wherein our software runtime system must intervene to prevent overheating by throttling parallelism and frequency before the computation is complete. To avoid oversubscription penalties (context switching inefficiencies after a truncated parallel sprint), we develop a sprint-aware task-based parallel runtime. We find that maximal-intensity sprinting is not always best, introduce the concept of sprint pacing, and evaluate an adaptive policy for selecting sprint intensity. We report initial results using a phase change heat sink to extend maximum sprint duration. Finally, we demonstrate that a sprint-and-rest operating regime can actually outperform thermally-limited sustained execution.
Verification of Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammars

One approach to verification and validation of language processing systems includes the verification of system resources. In general, the grammar is a key resource in such systems. In this paper we discuss verification of lexicalized tree adjoining grammars (LTAGs) (Joshi and Schabes, 1997) as one instance of a system resource, and as one phase of a larger verification effort.
Survey of ERP systems implementation

ERP is the latest and the most effective programming tool for the whole enterprise resources and has a different look toward all activities of the companies and take them from the task-oriented look to process-oriented status. Nowadays the implementation of this system faces many problems in the world. in this paper, we discuss the factors that caused the crisis in Iranian organizations information systems, challenges of ERP implementation, and recommendations for reducing those problems.
Does parental expressed emotion moderate genetic effects in ADHD? an exploration using a genome wide association scan

Studies of gene × environment (G × E) interaction in ADHD have previously focused on known risk genes for ADHD and environmentally mediated biological risk. Here we use G × E analysis in the context of a genome‐wide association scan to identify novel genes whose effects on ADHD symptoms and comorbid conduct disorder are moderated by high maternal expressed emotion (EE). SNPs (600,000) were genotyped in 958 ADHD proband‐parent trios. After applying data cleaning procedures we examined 429,981 autosomal SNPs in 909 family trios. ADHD symptom severity and comorbid conduct disorder was measured using the Parental Account of Childhood Symptoms interview. Maternal criticism and warmth (i.e., EE) were coded by independent observers on comments made during the interview. No G × E interactions reached genome‐wide significance. Nominal effects were found both with and without genetic main effects. For those with genetic main effects 36 uncorrected interaction P‐values were <10−5 implicating both novel genes as well as some previously supported candidates. These were found equally often for all of the interactions being investigated. The observed interactions in SLC1A1 and NRG3 SNPs represent reasonable candidate genes for further investigation given their previous association with several psychiatric illnesses. We find evidence for the role of EE in moderating the effects of genes on ADHD severity and comorbid conduct disorder, implicating both novel and established candidates. These findings need replicating in larger independent samples. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved oral targeted drug delivery system

The present invention discloses an "Improved Oral Targetted Drug Delivery System (O-TDDS)" particularly suited for delivery of drugs having activity against the diseases located in the colon e.g. colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, protozoal infections etc. The system comprises two elements or parts viz. microspheres (drug + natural polymers such as guar gum or xanthan gum) and probiotics. Both the elements are packed together in a single, pharmaceutically acceptable oral dosage form such as a capsule. The system offers distinct advantages of drug delivery without undesirable side-effects of diarrhea, nausea or vomiting commonly encountered in case of anti-cancer drugs such as 5-Fluorouracil.
Extracellular Vesicles As Modulators of Tumor Microenvironment and Disease Progression in Glioma

Diffuse gliomas are lethal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by infiltrative growth, aggressive nature, and therapeutic resistance. The recent 2016 WHO classification for CNS tumors categorizes diffuse glioma into two major types that include IDH wild-type glioblastoma, which is the predominant type and IDH-mutant glioblastoma, which is less common and displays better prognosis. Recent studies suggest presence of a distinct cell population with stem cell features termed as glioma stem cells (GSCs) to be causal in driving tumor growth in glioblastoma. The presence of a stem and progenitor population possibly makes glioblastoma highly heterogeneous. Significantly, tumor growth is driven by interaction of cells residing within the tumor with the surrounding milieu termed as the tumor microenvironment. It comprises of various cell types such as endothelial cells, secreted factors, and the surrounding extracellular matrix, which altogether help perpetuate the proliferation of GSCs. One of the important mediators critical to the cross talk is extracellular vesicles (EVs). These nano-sized vesicles play important roles in intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules into the surrounding milieu, thereby altering cellular functions and/or reprogramming recipient cells. With the growing information on the contribution of EVs in modulation of the tumor microenvironment, it is important to determine their role in both supporting as well as promoting tumor growth in glioma. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of EVs in tumor progression and glioma pathogenesis.
2D Shape Decomposition and the Automatic Generation of Hierarchical Representations

Many of the tasks that are performed with objects in a virtual environment, such as collision detection, rendering, and visibility culling, are based on the geometric structure of the objects. These operations are most efficient when the objects are represented with well-balanced trees of hierarchical components that reflect the geometric structure of the object at resolution levels appropriate for the particular task. This paper presents a framework for automatically generating hierarchical 2D object representations specialized for geometric tasks. The approach first constructs a multi-resolution representation that encapsulates the salient geometric features of an object, as well as its topological decomposition into parts. The main components of the representation are a Cell-Based Representation that provides spatial filtering at the desired feature resolution, and an Axial Shape Graph that captures local shape information as well as global information about the overall geometric structure of the object. Using the Axial Shape Graph, the task of shape decomposition is reduced to a graph partitioning problem whose solution results in a well-balanced part hierarchy. We show that this structure can be utilized to generate hierarchical representations specialized for the task of Collision Detection in 2D environments.
Prominent basal emissary foramina in syndromic craniosynostosis: correlation with phenotypic and molecular diagnoses.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Jugular foraminal stenosis (JFS) or atresia (JFA) with collateral emissary veins (EV) has been documented in syndromic craniosynostosis. Disruption of EV during surgery can produce massive hemorrhage. Our purpose was to describe the prevalence of prominent basal emissary foramina (EF), which transmit enlarged EV, in syndromic craniosynostosis. Our findings were correlated with phenotypic and molecular diagnoses. METHODS We reviewed the medical records and imaging examinations of 33 patients with syndromic craniosynostosis and known fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) mutations. All patients underwent CT and 14 MR imaging. The cranial base was assessed for size of occipitomastoid EF and jugular foramina (JF). Vascular imaging studies were available from 12 patients. A control group (n = 76) was used to establish normal size criteria for JF and EF. RESULTS Phenotypic classification included Crouzon syndrome (n = 10), crouzonoid features with acanthosis nigricans (n = 3), Apert syndrome (n = 10), Pfeiffer syndrome (n = 4), and clinically unclassifiable bilateral coronal synostosis (n = 6). EF > or = 3 mm in diameter and JFS or JFA were identified in 23 patients with various molecular diagnoses. Vascular imaging in patients with JFS or JFA and enlarged EF revealed atresia or stenosis of the jugular veins and enlarged basal EV. JFA was seen in all patients with the FGFR3 mutation with crouzonoid features and acanthosis nigricans. Four patients had prominent EF without JFS. Six patients had normal JF and lacked enlarged EF. CONCLUSION Enlarged basal EF are common in syndromic craniosynostosis and are usually associated with JFS or JFA. Bilateral basilar venous atresia is most common in patients with the FGFR3 ala391glu mutation and crouzonoid features with acanthosis nigricans, but may be found in patients with FGFR2 mutations. Skull base vascular imaging should be obtained in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis with enlarged EF.
Ranking objective interestingness measures with sensitivity values

In this paper, we propose a new approach to evaluate the behavior of objective interestingness measures on association rules. The objective interestingness measures are ranked according to the most significant interestingness interval calculated from an inversely cumulative distribution. The sensitivity values are determined by this interval in observing the rules having the highest interestingness values. The results will help the user (a data analyst) to have an insight view on the behaviors of objective interestingness measures and as a final purpose, to select the hidden knowledge in a rule set or a set of rule sets represented in the form of the most interesting rules.
Upper Triangular Flap Method for Primary Repairs of Incomplete Unilateral Cleft Lip Patients: Minor to Two-Thirds Way Defects

AbstractIncomplete unilateral cleft lips show a wide range of deformities, ranging from microform to near-complete clefts. Because there are different amounts and qualities of tissue present on the cleft and non–cleft sides, surgical approaches should make distinctions based on the remnant tissue. A new procedure using an upper triangular flap that combines characteristics of both rotation advancement and straight line repair was applied and the surgical results were reviewed. Between June 2007 and April 2011, 28 patients with minor to two-thirds way unilateral cleft lips [minor (n = 12), one-third (n = 2), halfway (n = 11), and two-thirds way (n = 3)] were subjected to the upper triangular flap method. The patients ranged in age from 62 days to 6 years (mean, 9 months). The average follow-up period was 25 months (range, 12–60 months). The repairs were successful in all 28 patients without complications. The scar was acceptable because it ran along the vertical philtral columns. During the follow-up period, long lip deformities and Cupid bow drooping were not observed in any of the patients. However, misalignment of the white skin roll was observed due to insufficient rotation at the cleft side in 1 patient. The repairs of minor to two-thirds way unilateral cleft lips using the upper triangular flap method allowed for a symmetric Cupid bow and philtrum. Moreover, this method allowed for satisfactory nostril sill reconstruction with acceptable scarring. The upper triangular flap method is recommended as an alternative to conventional methods for repair of minor to two-thirds way incomplete unilateral cleft lips.
Eudragit® Microparticles for the Release of Budesonide: A Comparative Study

This study compares the behaviour of budesonide-containing microparticles made of Eudragit®RS or Eudragit®RS/Eudragit®RL 70:30 (w/w) prepared either by solvent evaporation or spray-drying technique. The loading efficiency of budesonide within microparticles was about 72% for microparticles prepared by solvent evaporation and around 78% for spray-dried microparticles. Thermal analyses were assessed to collect information about the structural stability of budesonide within the polymeric microspheres. The in vitro release was performed using simulating gastric (fasted state simulated gastric fluid) and intestinal (fasted state simulated intestinal fluid) fluids as the receiving solutions. After 3 h the drug release from Eudragit®RS/Eudragit®RL microparticles was about 6-fold higher than that obtained in the case of monopolymer microparticles. Using fasted state simulated intestinal fluid the drug was released between 4 and 30% in both types of preparations. Eudragit®RS microparticles showed a better protection of the drug from gastric acidity than those of Eudragit®RS/Eudragit®RL allowing us to propose Eudragit®RS microparticles as a hypothetical system of colon specific controlled delivery.
Johnny-0, a compliant, force-controlled and interactive humanoid autonomous robot

Summary form only given. Johnny-0 [2], shown in Figure 1, is our new humanoid robot which integrates an expressive face on an orientable head, two arms with 4 degrees of freedom (DOF) each and grippers, mounted on an omnidirectional, non-holonomic mobile platform. Our underlying goal with Johnny-0 is to design a platform capable of natural reciprocal interaction (motion, language, touch, affect) with humans, to address integration issues associated with advanced motion, interaction and cognition capabilities on the same platform, and their use in unconstrained real world conditions. To do so, compliance is a necessity to provide natural and safe interactions. One distinctive element of Johnny-0 is that it uses force-controlled actuators (called Differential Elastic Actuators - DEA for active steering of its mobile platform, and for interactive control of its 4-DOF arms. Compliance at the mobile platform level allows a person to physically guide the robot without having to push it from a specific location on the platform [1]. Motion can also be constrained to avoid obstacles and collisions, providing natural physical interaction with the robot. Impedance control of each joint enables infinite combination of arm behaviors, from zero impedance for free movement with gravity compensation, to high stiffness constraining the arms to precise positions or ranges of movement. Stiffness can be configured to create virtual constraints in cartesian space, providing force feedback to the user about movement's limitations of the arms. For instance, stiffening the arms in certain poses could indicate to the user that the arms are restrained to move into a specific volume. Beyond these limits, any pushing or pulling force can be perceived by the mobile base, and can be interpreted as an intention to move the robot around. Combining compliance to other sensors (e.g., Kinect motion sensor) and a robot head capable of facial expression allows Johnny-0 to detect incoming people and adjust the impedance of its actuators accordingly (e.g., extend its gripper to greet them), and express its state based on how people physically interact with it (e.g., displaying surprise when the user move the arms beyond specific limits).
RealityCheck: Blending Virtual Environments with Situated Physical Reality

Today's virtual reality (VR) systems offer chaperone rendering techniques that prevent the user from colliding with physical objects. Without a detailed geometric model of the physical world, these techniques offer limited possibility for more advanced compositing between the real world and the virtual. We explore this using a realtime 3D reconstruction of the real world that can be combined with a virtual environment. RealityCheck allows users to freely move, manipulate, observe, and communicate with people and objects situated in their physical space without losing the sense of immersion or presence inside their virtual world. We demonstrate RealityCheck with seven existing VR titles, and describe compositing approaches that address the potential conflicts when rendering the real world and a virtual environment together. A study with frequent VR users demonstrate the affordances provided by our system and how it can be used to enhance current VR experiences.