Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of Lithium and Valproate forSuicide Prevention and Associations With Nonsuicide Mortality: A Dissertation

Background: Lithium has been reported in some, but not all, studies to be associated with reduced suicide risk. Methods: Intention-to-treat, high-dimensional propensity score-matched cohort study of one-year suicide mortality in Veterans Health Administration patients (n = 21,194/treatment) initiating lithium or valproate from 1999-2008. One-year suicide mortality was examined among all patients initiating lithium or valproate (intention-totreat analysis) who were matched on 934 propensity score covariates ranging from demographics, diagnoses, inpatient and outpatient encounters, current and recent medications, and indicators of recent suicidal behavior. Results: No significant difference in suicide was observed over 0-365 days in the primary intent-to-treat analysis (lithium/valproate conditional odds ratio (cOR) = 1.22, 95% CI 0.82, 1.81; p = 0.32), when individuals were still receiving their initial lithium or valproate treatment (cOR = 0.86, 0.46, 1.61; p = 0.63) or after such treatment had been discontinued/modified (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 0.91, 2.50; p = 0.11). Significantly increased suicide risks in the first 0-180 days of follow-up were observed in secondary analyses of
Oxidation-Specific Epitopes Are Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns Recognized by Pattern Recognition Receptors of Innate Immunity

Oxidation reactions are vital parts of metabolism and signal transduction. However, they also produce reactive oxygen species, which damage lipids, proteins and DNA, generating “oxidation-specific” epitopes. In this review, we discuss the hypothesis that such common oxidation-specific epitopes are a major target of innate immunity, recognized by a variety of “pattern recognition receptors” (PRRs). By analogy with microbial “pathogen-associated molecular patterns” (PAMPs), we postulate that host-derived, oxidation-specific epitopes can be considered to represent “danger (or damage)-associated molecular patterns” (DAMPs). We also argue that oxidation-specific epitopes present on apoptotic cells and their cellular debris provided the primary evolutionary pressure for the selection of such PRRs. Furthermore, because many PAMPs on microbes share molecular identity and/or mimicry with oxidation-specific epitopes, such PAMPs provide a strong secondary selecting pressure for the same set of oxidation-specific PRRs as well. Because lipid peroxidation is ubiquitous and a major component of the inflammatory state associated with atherosclerosis, the understanding that oxidation-specific epitopes are DAMPs, and thus the target of multiple arcs of innate immunity, provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. As examples, we show that both cellular and soluble PRRs, such as CD36, toll-like receptor-4, natural antibodies, and C-reactive protein recognize common oxidation-specific DAMPs, such as oxidized phospholipids and oxidized cholesteryl esters, and mediate a variety of immune responses, from expression of proinflammatory genes to excessive intracellular lipoprotein accumulation to atheroprotective humoral immunity. These insights may lead to improved understanding of inflammation and atherogenesis and suggest new approaches to diagnosis and therapy.
A multiple shared trees approach for application layer multicasting

The data delivery mechanisms used for the many-to-many multicast applications have been based on two extreme approaches: a single shared tree and source rooted trees. These two approaches complement each other in terms of performance, protocol overhead and robustness. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a multiple shared trees protocol for application layer multicasting. The protocol constructs an application layer overlay with m data delivery trees, where m>1 and m /spl Lt/ the number of data sources. Our simulation results reveal that the multiple shared trees design is a promising application layer overlay construction technique.
Computational complexity of decision procedures for polynomials

In section I we present theorems which give, among other things, nontrivial lower and upper complexity bounds for decision procedures concerning the existence of bounded natural number solutions to polynomials. The proofs (section III) incorporate essentially all the number theoretic techniques involved in the recent (1970) solution to Hilbert's 10th problem: Does there ex is tan effect i ve pY'ocedure for dec i ding whether a di 0phantine equation (i.e. a multivariable polynomial with integer coefficients) has a solution in the integers?
Automatic recognition of prosodic patterns in semantic verbal fluency tests - an animal naming task for edutainment applications

This paper automatically detects prosodic patterns in the domain of semantic ﬂuency tests. Verbal ﬂuency tests aim at evaluating the spontaneous production of words under constrained conditions. Mostly used for assessing cognitive impairment, they can be used in a plethora of domains, as edutainment applications or games with educational purposes. This work discriminates between list effects, disﬂuencies, and other linguistic events in an animal naming task. Recordings from 42 Portuguese speakers were automatically recognized and AuToBI was applied in order to detect prosodic patterns, using both European Portuguese and English models. Both models allowed to differentiate list effects from the other events, mostly represented by the tunes: L* H/L(-%) (English models) or L*+H H/L(-%) (Portuguese models). However, English models proved to be more suitable because they rely in substantial more training material.
3D Image Analysis and Synthesis at MPI Informatik

In the talk, we give a brief overview of the research done in the Computer Graphics Group and the Graphics-Optics-Vision Group of the Max-Planck-Institut f(cid:252)r Informatik in the area of 3D Image Analysis and Synthesis. In this context, we address the whole pipeline ranging from the acquisition of computational scene models, over the algorithmic processing of these scene descriptions, to their photo-realistic rendition in the computer. This paper illustrates the questions that we are trying to answer by means of one of our research projects, video-based rendering. We have developed a model-based system to acquire, reconstruct and render free-viewpoint videos of human actors that nicely illustrates the concept of 3D Image Analysis and Synthesis.
Local and global pyrogeographic evidence that indigenous fire management creates pyrodiversity

Despite the challenges wildland fire poses to contemporary resource management, many fire-prone ecosystems have adapted over centuries to millennia to intentional landscape burning by people to maintain resources. We combine fieldwork, modeling, and a literature survey to examine the extent and mechanism by which anthropogenic burning alters the spatial grain of habitat mosaics in fire-prone ecosystems. We survey the distribution of Callitris intratropica, a conifer requiring long fire-free intervals for establishment, as an indicator of long-unburned habitat availability under Aboriginal burning in the savannas of Arnhem Land. We then use cellular automata to simulate the effects of burning identical proportions of the landscape under different fire sizes on the emergent patterns of habitat heterogeneity. Finally, we examine the global extent of intentional burning and diversity of objectives using the scientific literature. The current distribution of Callitris across multiple field sites suggested long-unburnt patches are common and occur at fine scales (<0.5 ha), while modeling revealed smaller, patchy disturbances maximize patch age diversity, creating a favorable habitat matrix for Callitris. The literature search provided evidence for intentional landscape burning across multiple ecosystems on six continents, with the number of identified objectives ranging from two to thirteen per study. The fieldwork and modeling results imply that the occurrence of long-unburnt habitat in fire-prone ecosystems may be an emergent property of patch scaling under fire regimes dominated by smaller fires. These findings provide a model for understanding how anthropogenic burning alters spatial and temporal aspects of habitat heterogeneity, which, as the literature survey strongly suggests, warrant consideration across a diversity of geographies and cultures. Our results clarify how traditional fire management shapes fire-prone ecosystems, which despite diverse objectives, has allowed human societies to cope with fire as a recurrent disturbance.
Bound-Consistent Spread Constraint Application to load balancing in nurse-to-patient assignments

Given a vector of ﬁnite domain variables, the spread constraint aims at minimizing the sum of squares of these variables while constraining the sum of these to be equal to a given value. We improve the existing ﬁltering for spread achieving a bound-consistent ﬁltering without increasing the complexity. Previous versions of the algorithm considered a relaxed version of the bound-consistency assuming interval domains deﬁned on rational numbers rather than integers. We apply our new algorithm to a real life problem: the daily assignment of newborn infant patients to nurses in a hospital. The objective is to balance the workload of the nurses, while satisfying a variety of side constraints. Prior work proposed a MIP model for this problem, which unfortunately did not scale to large instances and only approximated the objective function, since minimizing the variance cannot be expressed in a linear model. This paper presents a two-step approach, ﬁrst assigning nurses to region of the hospital then assigning the patients to these. We show that our approach allows to tackle large instances with hundreds of patients and nurses in a few seconds using the OscaR optimization system.
Effect of microRNA-21 on the proliferation of human degenerated nucleus pulposus by targeting programmed cell death 4

This study aims to explore the effect of microRNA-21 (miR-21) on the proliferation of human degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) by targeting programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) tumor suppressor. NP tissues were collected from 20 intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) patients, and from 5 patients with traumatic spine fracture. MiR-21 expressions were tested. NP cells from IDD patients were collected and divided into blank control group, negative control group (transfected with miR-21 negative sequences), miR-21 inhibitor group (transfected with miR-21 inhibitors), miR-21 mimics group (transfected with miR-21 mimics) and PDCD4 siRNA group (transfected with PDCD4 siRNAs). Cell growth was estimated by Cell Counting Kit-8; PDCD4, MMP-2,MMP-9 mRNA expressions were evaluated by qRT-PCR; PDCD4, c-Jun and p-c-Jun expressions were tested using western blot. In IDD patients, the expressions of miR-21 and PDCD4 mRNA were respectively elevated and decreased (both P<0.05). The miR-21 expressions were positively correlated with Pfirrmann grades, but negatively correlated with PDCD4 mRNA (both P<0.001). In miR-21 inhibitor group, cell growth, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions, and p-c-Jun protein expressions were significantly lower, while PDCD4 mRNA and protein expressions were higher than the other groups (all P<0.05). These expressions in the PDCD4 siRNA and miR-21 mimics groups was inverted compared to that in the miR-21 inhibitor group (all P<0.05). MiR-21 could promote the proliferation of human degenerated NP cells by targeting PDCD4, increasing phosphorylation of c-Jun protein, and activating AP-1-dependent transcription of MMPs, indicating that miR-21 may be a crucial biomarker in the pathogenesis of IDD.
Explaining Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: A Cross-Country Analysis

"One in three pre-school children in the developing world is undernourished. As a consequence, their human rights are violated. In addition, they are more likely to have impaired immune systems, poorer cognitive development, lower productivity as adults, and greater susceptibility to diet-related chronic diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease later in life. Undernourished female preschoolers are likely to grow into undernourished young women who are more likely to give birth to babies who are undernourished even before they are born, thus perpetuating the inter-generational transmission of deprivation. Reducing these unacceptably high numbers remains a tremendous challenge to public policy. As a guide to the direction of future efforts, this research report examines the success of the efforts of the past 25 years to reduce preschooler undernutrition. The report uses an econometric model to identify the factors associated with the reduction in undernutrition. The formulation of the econometric model is guided by the widely accepted food-care-health conceptual model of child growth. The contributions of both underlying and basic determinants to reductions in undernutrition are assessed using the model. The potential of these factors to further reduce undernutrition is evaluated in a region-by-region priority-setting exercise. In addition, projections of child nutrition are made under various scenarios to the year 2020. What will it take to dramatically reduce undernutrition in the next 20 years? The report attempts some broad answers to these questions. " (Forward by Per Pinstrup-Andersen)
Race, Marital Dissolution and Visitation:

The present study examines how often black and white separated fathers visit their children. The present study shows that racial differences in visitation are not indications that black fathers abdicate their paternal roles. Instead, visitation is related to historically adaptive characteristics of the black family, such as a greater degree of self-sufficiency among women and strong ties with extended family members.
Expression of hypoglossal long-term facilitation differs between substrains of Sprague-Dawley rat.

Long-term facilitation (LTF) is a prolonged, serotonin-dependent augmentation of respiratory motor output following episodic hypoxia. Previous observations lead us to hypothesize that LTF is subject to genetic influences and, as a result, differs between Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats from two vendors, Harlan (H) and Charles River Laboratories/Sasco (CRL/S). Using a blinded experimental design, we recorded integrated phrenic (integralPhr) and hypoglossal neurograms in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and ventilated rats. At 60 min following three 5-min hypoxic episodes (Pa(O(2)) = 40 +/- 1 Torr; 5-min hyperoxic intervals), integralPhr was elevated from baseline in both SD substrains (i.e., LTF; P < 0.05). Conversely, hypoglossal LTF was present in CRL/S but not H rats (P < 0.05 between substrains). Serotonin immunoreactivity within the hypoglossal nucleus was not different between H and CRL/S rats. We conclude that the expression of hypoglossal LTF differs between SD rat substrains, indicating a difference in their genetic predisposition to neural plasticity.
Determining the Level of Perceived Risk in e-business Web 2.0 Interactions

In the domain of e-commerce business it is important for the initiating agent of the interaction to analyze and consider the level of perceived risk in forming an interaction with an agent, apart from just considering the level of trust and security. By doing so, the initiating agent would have all the concepts which would assist it in making an informed interaction-based decision. But for risk analysis in e-business, it is important that the initiating agent considers and assesses it according to its object of analysis in that domain. In our previous work, we have identified the sub-categories of perceived risk in the domain of e-business interactions and proposed methodologies by which the initiating agent can quantify them. In this paper, we propose a novel approach by which the initiating agent determines the numerical level and magnitude of perceived risk by utilizing its determined sub-categories in forming an interaction with an agent.
Effect of Cluster Size Selection on the Throughput of Multi-Hop Cooperative Relay

We study the effect of relay cluster selection on throughout in multi-hop cooperative communications with one source and one destination. We evaluate the effective relay throughput as a function of the source transmission rate and the network outage probability. Assuming channel side information (CSI) only available at the receivers, we formulate the cluster size optimization to maximize throughput. Furthermore, since the bottleneck of the multi-hop relaying is at the first hop where there is in general a lack of cooperation from the source, for the scenario where CSI is available at the source, we may incorporate opportunistic relay selection at the first hop in the cluster optimization problem. Our results demonstrate how the optimal selection of cluster sizes can significantly increase the relaying throughput.
La comparaison des systèmes de protection sociale en Europe. De la classification à l’analyse des trajectoires d’État providence

Le processus d'integration europeenne, la globalisation des echanges economiques et l'intensification des reformes des systemes nationaux de protection sociale ont impulse un developpement remarquable des travaux d'analyse comparee des Etats providences. Quelques-unes des recentes etapes de cette reflexion sur l'avenir des dispositifs nationaux de protection sociale sont rappelees ici. L'auteur montre ainsi que l'on est passe, en a peine une decennie, d'un debat centre sur l'identification de types d'Etat providence, avec des controverses sur la nature des variables a prendre en compte ou sur le nombre de ces regimes typiques, a une reflexion qui privilegie les trajectoires de ces systemes de protection sociale, autrement dit a une analyse des mutations que connaissent ces differents regimes, ce qui pose centralement la question de leur convergence ou de leur demantelement partiel.
Proximal Femoral Nailing: Technical Difficulties and Results in Trochanteric Fractures

Background: Proximal femoral nailing in communited intertrochanteric fractures is increasingly becoming popular in view of superior biomechanics and prevention of varus collapse associated with Dynamic hip screw. However, technical difficulties and implant related complications have been described with this technique, thus we need more studies to address these issues. Our study aims to understand technical difficulties involved in proximal femoral nailing, and specifically analyses neck shaft angle at follow-up indicating varus collapse and also to compare results of stable and unstable fractures. Materials and Methods: In this study, patients who presented to the Orthopedic Unit of Dr. TMA Pai Hospital (An associated hospital of Manipal University, Manipal) with trochanteric fractures included and treated with proximal femoral nailing. The technical difficulties involved with surgical procedure and techniques adapted to overcome such difficulties were recorded. All patients were followed up for a period of 2 years and final outcome assessment included the number of shortening, neck shaft angle and harris hip score. Results: 41 patients (mean age 71) who underwent proximal femoral nailing from January 2004 to December 2009 were included in the study, 38 patients completed 2-year follow-up. The technical difficulties we faced were divided into 3 categories, difficulties in securing entry point and guide wire placement especially when greater trochanter and piriform fossa were gathered, reduction was lost while passing nail, and finally difficulties faced during placement of hip screws. In all except one, neck shaft angle of more than 130 degrees was achieved, and this was also maintained in the final follow-up (Mean 131.9 degrees). All fractures were united, with mean shortening of 2 mm. Conclusions: Although PFN is technically required, with a proper technique PFN gives excellent clinical results with almost negligible varus collapse even in unstable trochanteric fractures. Regarding the techniques, reaming the proximal part of femur adequately and observing the nail passage with image carefully are important in placing the nail correctly, while, placement of lag screw in the inferior part of neck in anterior posterior projection and central in lateral projection reduces risk of implant failure.
NGS based haplotype assembly using matrix completion

We apply matrix completion methods for haplotype assembly from NGS reads to develop the new HapSVT, HapNuc, and HapOPT algorithms. This is performed by applying a mathematical model to convert the reads to an incomplete matrix and estimating unknown components. This process is followed by quantizing and decoding the completed matrix in order to estimate haplotypes. These algorithms are compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms using simulated data as well as the real fosmid data. It is shown that the SNP missing rate and the haplotype block length of the proposed HapOPT are better than those of HapCUT2 with comparable accuracy in terms of reconstruction rate and switch error rate. A program implementing the proposed algorithms in MATLAB is freely available at https://github.com/smajidian/HapMC.
Baseline troponin level: key to understanding the importance of post-PCI troponin elevations.

AIMS The adverse prognostic significance of biomarker elevations after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is well established. However, often baseline troponin values are not included in the analysis or sensitive criteria are not employed. Accordingly, we assessed the timing and magnitude of post-PCI troponin T (cTnT) levels and their relationships to outcomes in patients with and without pre-PCI baseline cTnT elevations using a sensitive assay and sensitive cut-off values. METHODS AND RESULTS cTnT was measured at baseline (pre-PCI), 8 and 16 h post-PCI in 2352 patients. A cTnT elevation was defined as > or =0.03 ng/mL. No baseline cTnT elevations were detected in 1619 patients undergoing mostly (97%) non-urgent procedures (cTnT = 0.01 +/- 0.002 ng/mL; mean +/- SD). 733 patients had baseline cTnT elevations. Only the baseline troponin value had prognostic importance. Patients with elevated cTnT baseline levels had a higher overall cumulative 12-month death/MI rate of 11.1% compared with those without elevated baseline levels of 4.7% (P < 0.05). Neither the timing nor the magnitude of the post-procedure cTnT elevations was predictive of long-term death/MI rates when baseline elevations were included in the analysis. Similar findings were observed for baseline creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels. Late increases in cTnT levels (16 h post-PCI) presaged in-hospital events only. CONCLUSION Long-term prognosis is most often related to the baseline pre-PCI troponin value and not the biomarker response to the PCI. These results support a re-evaluation of the use of biomarker data in relation to PCI.