Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temperature and mutation switches in the secondary structure of small RNAs

Conformational switching in the secondary structure of RNAs has recently attracted considerable attention, fostered by the discovery of 'riboswitches' living organisms. These are genetic control elements that were found in bacteria and offer a unique regulation mechanism based on switching between two highly stable states, separated by an energy barrier between them. In riboswitches. the energy barrier is crossed by direct metabolite binding, which facilitates regulation by allosteric means. However, other event triggers can cause switching to occur, such as single-point mutations and slight variations in temperature. Examples of switches with these event triggers have already been reported experimentally in the past. Here, our goal is to computationally design small RNA switches that rely on these triggers. Towards this end, our computer simulations utilize a variety of different similarity measures to assess the distances between an initial state and triggered states, based on the topology of the secondary structure itself. We describe these combined similarity measures that rely on both coarse-grained and fine-grained graph representations of the RNA secondary structure. As a result of our simulations, we provide some candidate sequences of approximately 30-50 nt, along with the exact triggers that drive the switching. The event triggers under consideration can be modelled by mfold or the Vienna package. To begin with, we concentrate on designing small temperature and mutation switches.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BILATERAL DEFICIT ON THE COUNTER-MOVEMENT JUMP PERFORMANCE IN ELITE SPRINTERS

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the bilateral deficit (BLD) in elite sprinters and examine the relationship between the BLD and sprint start performance. Twelve male elite sprinters (age: 22.41±3.39 years, 100m personal best: 10.82±.25s) performed sprint starts, two- and one-leg counter-movement jumps (CMJ). A system of eight CCD cameras with a frequency of 200 Hz was used for the 3D kinematic measurements of CMJ. The ground reaction forces of sprint starts and vertical jumps were measured unilaterally and bilaterally by means of two independent and synchronized force platforms. Significantly lower values of force production of the front leg in the double start compared to the force production in the single start indicated the existence of a phenomenon similar to the bilateral deficit (BLD). The main findings of the present study were that: 1) lower values of BLD in the CMJ are related to higher peak force production of the rear leg in the double start of the sprint start (r=-.630; p=.000), 2) lower BLD in the CMJ is also related to higher total impulse of force on the blocks (r=-.550; p=.000) and 3) BLD values in CMJ are higher in elite sprinters compared to team sport athletes examined in the previous studies. The BLD measured in CMJ is a good indicator of a lower performance in the sprint start. As a consequence, the sprinters with higher BLD produced a lower total impulse of force on the blocks and lower block velocity, which are related to the overall 60m and 100m sprint performance.
[Pleural effusion in children with pneumonia: a study of 63 cases].

INTRODUCTION An increase in the number and severity of pleural effusions has been observed in the last few years. The aim of the study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical findings and the treatment of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a retrospective study of patients admitted into the PICU in Hospital Niño Jesús with parapneumonic pleural effusion from January 2005 to May 2006. RESULTS Sixty-three patients were included in the study. An increase of 29 % was observed in the number of patients admitted with parapneumonia effusion from 2005 to 2006. The most common aetiology was Streptococcus pneumoniae. In 65 % of patients pleural effusion was an empyema and in 33 % it was an exudate. In all patients with C-reactive protein below 100 mg/L the effusion was an exudate, whereas 81 % of patients with C-reactive protein above 170 mg/L had an empyema, p < 0.05. The patients who had an exudate needed lower doses of fibrinolytics than those who had an empyema (1.6 vs. 4.5, p < 0.05). The number of days having a chest tube or admitted in PICU was lower in patients with exudate (3 days each) than those with empyema (7 and 9 days respectively) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS An increase in the number of complicated pneumonias is observed amongst children in our country, S. pneumoniae being the main aetiology. Using laboratory techniques such as C-reactive protein can help to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated pneumonia. Pleural effusion characteristics seem to have an influence on the need for fibrinolytic and the length of chest tube treatment.
A new Symmetry Operator for the analysis ofsequences of imagesVito Di Ges

Symmetry plays a remarkable role in perception problems. Visual attention can be guided by detecting points of high local symmetry. This feature can be very usefull to track moving objects. In this paper the application of a new symmetry operator, named the Discrete Symmetry Transform, for motion analysis is proposed. The evaluation of the optical ow allows to approximate the velocity eld on the image plane. Its computation is fast and easy to implement on a multiprocessors machine, because it can be expressed as product of local linear lters. Experiments on real data show the performance of the method and its suitability to perform real time computation.
Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Downstream Effectors in Selected Cecal Cell Subpopulations of Chicks Resistant or Susceptible to Salmonella Carrier State

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which recognizes lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria, plays a major role in resistance of mice and humans to Salmonella infection. In chickens, Salmonella may establish a carrier state whereby bacteria are able to persist in the host organism without triggering clinical signs. Based on cellular morphological parameters, we developed a method, without using antibodies, to separate three cecal cell subpopulations: lymphocytes, enterocytes, and a population encompassing multiple cell types. We analyzed the mRNA expression of TLR4, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-8, IL-12, and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha factor (LITAF) in cecal subpopulations of chicks from inbred lines resistant or susceptible to the carrier state infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. The results showed that resistance to the carrier state in chicks is associated with a larger percentage of lymphocytes and with higher levels of expression of TLR4 and IL-8 at homeostasis in the three cell subpopulations, as well as with a higher level of expression of LITAF in lymphocytes during the carrier state. In contrast to the early phase of infection, the carrier state is characterized by no major cell recruitment differences between infected and noninfected animals and no significant modification in terms of TLR4, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12, and LITAF expression in all cell subpopulations measured. However, TLR4 expression increased in the lymphocytes of chicks from the susceptible line, reaching the same level as that in infected chicks from the resistant line. These observations suggest that the carrier state is characterized by a lack of immune activation and highlight the interest of working at the level of the cell population rather than that of the organ.
A Non-Invasive Approach for Driving Virtual Talking Heads from Real Facial Movements

In this paper, we depict a system to accurately control the facial animation of synthetic virtual heads from the movements of a real person. Such movements are tracked using active appearance models from videos acquired using a cheap webcam. Tracked motion is then encoded by employing the widely used MPEG-4 facial and body animation standard. Each animation frame is thus expressed by a compact subset of facial animation parameters (FAPs) defined by the standard. We precompute, for each FAP, the corresponding facial configuration of the virtual head to animate through an accurate anatomical simulation. By linearly interpolating, frame by frame, the facial configurations corresponding to the FAPs, we obtain the animation of the virtual head in an easy and straightforward way.
3D Gaze Tracking and Automatic Gaze Coding from RGB-D Cameras

Gaze is recognized as one of the most important cues for the analysis of the cognitive behaviors of a person such as the attention displayed towards objects or people, their in- teractions, functionality and causality patterns. In this short paper, we present our investigations towards the develop- ment of 3D gaze sensing solutions from consumer RGB-D sensors, including their use for the inference of visual at- tention in natural dyadic interactions and the resources we have made or will make available to the community.
Changeable Threshold Signature Scheme Based on Lattice Theory

The current changeable threshold signature schemes are generally based on RSA or ECC algorithm. They often have shortcomings of the large amount of calculation, need the dealer to participate in when adjusting the threshold etc. This paper introduced the related concepts and theories of lattice, proposed a novel changeable threshold signature scheme and analyzed the essential security, it based on the changeable threshold Shamir secret sharing scheme and NTRUSign signature algorithm. The scheme has the following properties: It is mainly based on polynomial multiplication and integer coefficient modular arithmetic and needn’t introduce exponential operation; It needn’t redistribute the subsecret and modify the group public key when changing threshold; The scheme guarantees threshold security, robustness and unforgeability.
Performance comparison and analysis of voice communication over ad hoc network

Currently, voice traffic (both local and long-distance) is gradually moving from traditional circuit-switched networks to IP-based, packet-switched networks. Another dominant trend is the development of mobile ad hocnetworks technology. In this work, a simulationbased performance analysis of ad hoc routing protocols is presented for establishing VoIP conversation sessions by mobile users in an ad hoc network scenario. The two primary performance metrics (the packet delivery rate and end-to-end delay) for measuring the voice communication are evaluated by varying the routing protocols, number of VoIP conversation sessions and user mobility.
Orofacial Clefts and Risk Factors in Tehran, Iran: A Case Control Study

Background Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) or cleft palate only (CPO) are orofacial clefts with multifactorial etiology. These include environmental factors and heterogeneous genetic background. Therefore, studies on different and homogenous populations can be useful in detecting related factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors in patients with non-syndromic cleft in Tehran, Iran. Methods Data from 300 patients and 300 controls were collected between 2005 and 2010. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to calculate relative risk by odds ratio (OR) and %95 confidence interval. Results Low maternal age (OR=1.06, 95% CI, 1.011-1.113), low socioeconomic status (OR=0.23, 95% CI, 0.007-0.074), maternal systemic disease (OR=0.364; 95% CI, 0.152-0.873) and passive smoking (OR=0.613, 95% CI, 0.430-0.874) increased the risk for CL/P and CPO. There was a significant difference in iron and folic acid use during pregnancy when the case and control groups were compared. Conclusion In assessing for orofacial cleft risk, we should consider lack of folic acid supplementation use, maternal age and systemic diseases and passive smoking as risk factors.
Intermetallic Growth and Failure Study for Sn-Ag-Cu/ENIG PBGA Solder Joints Subject to Thermal Cycling

The growth of interfacial IMC compounds and the interfacial voids/crack formation between 95.5Sn-3.8Ag0. 7Cu lead-free solders and Electroless Nickel/Immersion Gold (ENIG) surface finish on 35x35mm 316 I/O PBGA soldered assembly subject to thermal cycling aging are reported. The thicknesses of interfacial Ni-Cu-Sn IMC compounds were observed on all the solder joints. It is noted that IMC layer thickness at different locations are different after 3000 thermal cycling aging. The highest IMC layer thickness was observed at the outermost solder joint. Compared with IMC growth subjected to isothermal aging exposure at 125 o C, IMC layer growth rate under thermal cycling is accelerated and it is subject to the locations, suggesting the effect of thermal stress generated by CTE mismatch during temperature cycling. The correlation between void/crack formation and IMC layer growth was then discussed.
Brain maturation and subtypes of conduct disorder: interactive effects on p300 amplitude and topography in male adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Adolescents with conduct disorder problems are, on average, at increased risk for a variety of unfortunate adult outcomes, including substance dependence. This study was designed to identify the neurophysiological correlates of different categories of conduct disorder problems as well as the relationship between these correlates and the maturational status of the brain. METHOD The subjects were 94 males, aged 14-19 years, recruited from the community. None were recruited from treatment or juvenile justice programs. The subjects varied in the type and number of conduct problem behaviors exhibited prior to age 15. Groups were operationally defined by the relative number (0 versus > or =1) of DSM-IV conduct disorder diagnostic criteria within each of four categories: rules violations, aggression, deceitfulness/theft, and destructiveness. Age was included as an additional grouping factor. P300 electroencephalographic potentials were recorded while subjects performed a task in which rare auditory stimuli were used to signal a change in stimulus-response mapping during a succeeding set of trials. RESULTS Analyses revealed that boys with a history of rules violations failed to exhibit the normal maturational increase in P300 amplitude found in boys without a history of rules violations. Topographic analyses of current source densities suggest that the source of the maturational deficit involved P300 generators within the frontal brain. Parietal generators of P300 matured normally. CONCLUSIONS The present results are interpreted as reflecting a decrement in frontal brain maturation among boys potentially at risk for substance dependence, antisocial personality disorder, or other forms of adult psychopathology.
Exploring the mechanical basis for acceleration: pelvic limb locomotor function during accelerations in racing greyhounds (Canis familiaris)

SUMMARY Animals in their natural environments are confronted with a regular need to perform rapid accelerations (for example when escaping from predators or chasing prey). Such acceleration requires net positive mechanical work to be performed on the centre of mass by skeletal muscle. Here we determined how pelvic limb joints contribute to the mechanical work and power that are required for acceleration in galloping quadrupeds. In addition, we considered what, if any, biomechanical strategies exist to enable effective acceleration to be achieved. Simultaneous kinematic and kinetic data were collected for racing greyhounds undergoing a range of low to high accelerations. From these data, joint moments and joint powers were calculated for individual hindlimb joints. In addition, the mean effective mechanical advantage (EMA) of the limb and the `gear ratio' of each joint throughout stance were calculated. Greatest increases in joint work and power with acceleration appeared at the hip and hock joints, particularly in the lead limb. Largest increases in absolute positive joint work occurred at the hip, consistent with the hypothesis that quadrupeds power locomotion by torque about the hip. In addition, hindlimb EMA decreased substantially with increased acceleration – a potential strategy to increase stance time and thus ground impulses for a given peak force. This mechanism may also increase the mechanical advantage for applying the horizontal forces necessary for acceleration.
On the physical origin of ultrametricity

In this paper we show that ultrametricity can be proved in general starting from two very simple and natural assumptions: that each replica is equivalent to the others (replica equivalence or stochastic stability ) and that all the mutual information about a pair of equilibrium configurations is encoded in their mutual distance or overlap (separability or overlap equivalence).
Rethinking Domestic Violence

1 The History of Spouse Assault 2 Nested Ecological Theory 3 Measurement and Incidence of Abuse 4 Theories of Wife Assault: Psychiatric Contributions 5 Feminist and Sociobiological Explanations for Intimate Partner Violence 6 The Gender Debate and the Feminist Paradigm 7 The Domestic Assault of Men 8 Victims, Causes, and Effects 9 The Social Psychology of the Perpetrator 10 Subtypes of Perpetrators 11 The Cycle of Violence and the Abusive Personality 12 Relationship/Interactionist Explanations 13 The Failure of Criminal Justice Intervention Policy 14 Risk Assessment 15 Treatment Policy Issues 16 Treatment: The Next Step 17 Rethinking the Response to Domestic Violence.
Validation of a food-frequency questionnaire for assessing vitamin intake of Japanese women in early and late pregnancy with and without nausea and vomiting

Abstract Maternal vitamin intake during pregnancy is crucial for pregnancy outcomes and the child's subsequent health. However, there are few valid instruments for assessing vitamin intake that address the effects of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP). This study aimed to investigate the validity of a FFQ concerning vitamin intake during early and late pregnancy with and without NVP. The participants comprised 200 Japanese pregnant women who completed the FFQ and from whom blood samples were taken in early and late pregnancy. Energy-adjusted dietary vitamin intakes (vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin D) from FFQ were compared with their blood concentrations. A subgroup of women with NVP was investigated. In early pregnancy, significant correlations between FFQ and biomarkers were observed for vitamin C (r 0·27), folate (r 0·18) and vitamin D (r 0·26) in women with NVP and for vitamin A (r 0·18), vitamin B12 (r 0·24) and vitamin D (r 0·23) in women without NVP. No significant correlations were observed in either group for vitamins B6 or E. In late pregnancy, similar significant associations were observed for vitamin C (r 0·27), folate (r 0·22), vitamin B6 (r 0·18), vitamin B12 (r 0·27) and vitamin A (r 0·15); coefficients were higher among women without NVP. Our study demonstrates that the FFQ is a useful tool for assessing intake of several important vitamins in early and late pregnancy regardless of NVP status.
Carbonic anhydrase IX expression, hypoxia, and prognosis in patients with uterine cervical carcinomas.

PURPOSE Hypoxia is associated with adverse outcome for a number of solid tumors, including cervical carcinomas. Direct pO(2) measurement requires specialized equipment and expertise that is not generally available. Immunohistochemical measurement of intrinsic tissue markers of hypoxia is an alternative approach. Recent studies suggest that carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), which is regulated via hypoxia-inducible factor 1, is a useful intrinsic marker of tumor hypoxia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Biopsies were obtained from 110 patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Tissue sections were labeled using an immunofluorescence technique and CA IX expression in the viable tumor area measured using a semiautomated fluorescence image analysis technique. Results were compared with direct pO(2) values obtained using an Eppendorf probe and to patient outcome. Intratumoral heterogeneity of CA IX expression was examined in a subgroup of patient who underwent multiple biopsies. RESULTS The median percentage of tumor area staining for CA IX was 3.56 (range, 0.01-58.85). CA IX staining did not correlate with the Eppendorf pO(2) measurements. Whereas the latter values were predictive of patient outcome, the CA IX levels were not. Measurement of CA IX in multiple biopsies indicated that intratumoral heterogeneity accounted for 41% of the total variance in the data set. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to some recent studies, we did not find significant associations between CA IX expression and tumor pO(2) levels or patient outcome in locally advanced carcinomas of the cervix. Probable explanations relate to the problems of sampling error using single biopsies and the existence of biological factors other than hypoxia that influence CA IX levels.
Different Subsets of Circulating Angiogenic Cells Do not Predict Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or other Diseases of Prematurity in Preterm Infants

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease occurring in very and extremely preterm infants undergoing mechanical ventilation. Given the altered lung vascular growth characterizing BPD, circulating angiogenic cells could be useful biomarkers to predict the risk. The objective of the study was to determine whether the percentages of circulating angiogenic cells (CD34+VEGFR-2+, CD34+CD133+VEGFR-2+, and CD45-CD34+CD133+VEGFR-2+ cells), assessed in the peripheral blood at birth by flow cytometry, could be used as markers for the risk of BPD. In one-hundred and forty-two preterm neonates (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or birth weight < 1500 g) admitted to our tertiary care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 2006 and 2009, we evaluated the percentages of circulating angiogenic cells at birth, at 7 days, and, in a subset of infants (n=40), at 28 days of life. The main outcome was the correlation between cell counts at birth and the subsequent risk of developing BPD. In our study, all the three cell populations failed to predict the development of BPD or other diseases of prematurity. We suggest that these cells cannot be used as biomarkers in preterm infants, and that research is needed to find other early predictors of BPD.
Multi-Cell Coordinated Scheduling and Power Allocation in Downlink LTE-A Systems

In this paper, we investigate multi-cell coordinated scheduling and power allocation in downlink long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) systems, where orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) is used. The proposed scheme performs joint scheduling, power allocation, and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) selection to maximize the overall weighted throughput with proportional fairness. Our scheme considers the practical constraints in LTE-A systems. Since the optimization problem is a combinatorial and non- convex one and is with high complexity, low- complexity and suboptimal algorithms are proposed, which separate the scheduling and power allocation into two subproblems. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can improve the average system throughput by 10% and the 10th percentile throughput by 15% compared with the existing scheme.