Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational Techniques for Analysis of Genetic Network Dynamics

In this paper we propose modeling and analysis techniques for genetic networks that provide biologists with insight into the dynamics of such systems. Central to our modeling approach is the framework of hybrid systems and our analysis tools are derived from formal analysis of such systems. Given a set of states characterizing a property of biological interest P , we present the Multi-Affine Rectangular Partition (MARP) algorithm for the construction of a set of infeasible states I that will never reach P and the Rapidly Exploring Random Forest of Trees (RRFT) algorithm for the construction of a set of feasible states F that will reach P. These techniques are scalable to high dimensions and can incorporate uncertainty (partial knowledge of kinetic parameters and state uncertainty). We apply these methods to understand the genetic interactions involved in the phenomenon of luminescence production in the marine bacterium V. fischeri.
A Review of Ambient Intelligence Assisted Healthcare Monitoring

There is growing need to supply constant Health Care Monitoring (HCM) and support to patients with Chronic Diseases (CD) especially the disabled, and elderly. Ambient Intelligence (AmI) for healthcare monitoring and personalized healthcare is a promising solution to provide efficient medical services, which could significantly lower down the healthcare cost. The aim of this review paper is to summarize recent developments in the field of AmI for HCM. The paper focused on the concepts of AmI and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods and data mining techniques used in AmI applications of wearable sensors technology to monitor older, adults and patient with CD in the home and community settings. A short description of key enabling technologies Wireless sensor networks (WSNs), wearable sensor technology, and communication technology, that have allowed researchers to implement wearable systems is followed by a detailed description have been reviewed. Applications described in this review paper include those that focus on health and wellness, home rehabilitation, assessment of treatment. Various architectures and platforms of AmI application have been reviewed. The integration of wearable and ambient sensors is discussed in the context of achieving home monitoring of older adults and patient with chronic diseases. We aim with this review paper not to criticize, but to serve as a reference for researchers and developers in this scientific area and to provide direction for future research improvements.
Influence of information technologies on technical fitness of students in sport-oriented physical education.

Цель: Определить влияние информационныx теxнологий при спортивно-ориентированном физическом воспитании на уровень теxнической подготовленности студентов, занимающиxся футзалом. Материал: В исследованияx задействованы студенты (юноши - n=40) в возрасте 18-20 лет. В качестве тестов были использованы стандартные тесты по физической подготовке. Для определения уровня развития двигательныx умений и навыков применялось: жонглирование мячом; удар в заданный сектор ворот; челночный бег с ведением мяча 4 x 10 м; удар на дальность. Результаты . сформировано структурную модель спортивно-ориентированного физического воспитании студентов с применением информационныx теxнологий. В модели все студенты занимаются в спортивно-ориентированныx учебныx группаx по выбранным видам спорта (двигательной активности). Такой подxод предусматривает целостную форму построения программного материала и унифицированный алгоритм оценивания успеваемости студентов. Выводы: Целостность функционирования спортивно-ориентированного физического воспитания обеспечивается за счет применения информационныx теxнологий. Это позволяет оптимизировать процесс обучения двигательным навыкам. В этом случае создается единая форма построения программного материала.
Factor XIII-A dynamics in acute myocardial infarction: a novel prognostic biomarker?

Summary After acute myocardial infarction (MI) the damaged heart has to be repaired. Factor XIII (FXIII) is considered a key molecule in promoting heart healing. FXIII deficiency was associated to cardiac rupture and anomalous remodelling in MI. During MI, FXIII contributes firstly to the intracoronary thrombus formation and shortly after to heal the myocardial lesion. To quantify the real contribution of FXIII in this process, and to explore its possible prognostic role, we monitored the FXIII-A subunit levels in 350 acute MI patients during the first six days (d0-d5) plus a control at 30–60 days (d30). A one-year follow-up was performed for all the patients. A transient drop in the FXIII-A mean level was noted in the whole cohort of patients (FXIII-Ad0 99.48 ± 30.5 vs FXIII-Ad5 76.51 ± 27.02; p< 0.0001). Interestingly, those who developed post-MI heart failure showed the highest drop (FXIII-Ad5 52.1 ± 25.2) and they already presented with low levels at recruitment. Similarly, those who died showed the same FXIII-A dynamic (FXIII-Ad5 54.0 ± 22.5). Conversely, patients who remained free of major adverse cardiac events, had lower consuming (FXIII-Ad0 103.6 ± 29.1 vs FXIII-Ad5 84.4 ± 24.5; p< 0.0001). Interestingly, the FXIII-A drop was independent from the amount of injury assessed by TnT and CKMB levels. The survival analysis ascribed an increased probability of early death or heart failure inversely related to FXIII-A quartiles (FXIII-A25th< 59.5 %; hazard ratio 4.25; 2.2–5.1; p< 0.0001). Different FXIII-A dynamics and levels could be utilised as early prognostic indicators during acute MI, revealing the individual potential to heal and suggesting tailored treatments to avoid heart failure or its extreme consequence. Note: This paper was presented in part at the 14th Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 29 – July 24, 2013.
The implementation of communication between the upper computer and lower PLC of rescue robot

The realization of communication between PC and PLC is the basic constituent part in rescue robot control system. It has direct impact to the function of entire system. This paper introduces a method in detail which can make the communication between the rescue robot upper computer and lower PLC come true. It also analyses how to implement communication between S7-200 programmable logic controller and personal computer in the mode of free port, and given the programming instance. Practice indicates the idea of the scheme is succinct and also very effective.
Physikalische und physiologische Grundlagen der transkraniellen Magnetstimulation

Zusammenfassung Der Beitrag liefert einen Überblick über die technischen, biophysikalischen und physiologischen Grundlagen der transkraniellen Magnetstimulation (TMS). Ausgehend von der Technik eines Stimulators und des Wirkungsprinzips der TMS werden der zeitliche Verlauf eines Stimulationspulses sowie die räumliche Verteilung der im Kopf induzierten Felder dargestellt. Auf der Grundlage von Schwellenmessungen werden Umrechnungsfaktoren für verschiedene gängige Stimulatorkonfigurationen angegeben. Anschließend wird auf die Vergleichbarkeit von technischen Parametern zwischen Kernspinresonanztomographie und TMS eingegangen. Zum Schluss sind kurz mögliche technische Weiterentwicklungen dargestellt.
Prednisolone with vs without pentoxifylline and survival of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE Prednisolone or pentoxifylline is recommended for severe alcoholic hepatitis, a life-threatening disease. The benefit of their combination is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the addition of pentoxifylline to prednisolone is more effective than prednisolone alone. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted between December 2007 and March 2010 in 1 Belgian and 23 French hospitals of 270 patients aged 18 to 70 years who were heavy drinkers with severe biopsy-proven alcoholic hepatitis, as indicated by recent onset of jaundice in the prior 3 months and a Maddrey score of at least 32. Duration of follow-up was 6 months. The last included patient completed the study in October 2010. None of the patients were lost to follow-up for the main outcome. INTERVENTION Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of 40 mg of prednisolone once a day and 400 mg of pentoxifylline 3 times a day (n=133) for 28 days, or 40 mg of prednisolone and matching placebo (n=137) for 28 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Six-month survival, with secondary end points of development of hepatorenal syndrome and response to therapy based on the Lille model, which defines treatment nonresponders after 7 days of initiation of treatment. RESULTS In intention-to-treat analysis, 6-month survival was not different in the pentoxifylline-prednisolone and placebo-prednisolone groups (69.9% [95% CI, 62.1%-77.7%] vs 69.2% [95% CI; 61.4%-76.9%], P = .91), corresponding to 40 vs 42 deaths, respectively. In multivariable analysis, only the Lille model and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were independently associated with 6-month survival. At 7 days, response to therapy assessed by the Lille model was not significantly different between the 2 groups (Lille model score, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.36-0.46] vs 0.40 [95% CI, 0.35-0.45], P = .80). The probability of being a responder was not different in both groups (62.6% [95% CI, 53.9%-71.3%] vs 61.9% [95% CI, 53.7%-70.3%], P = .91). The cumulative incidence of hepatorenal syndrome at 6 months was not significantly different in the pentoxifylline-prednisolone and the placebo-prednisolone groups (8.4% [95% CI, 4.8%-14.8%] vs 15.3% [95% CI, 10.3%-22.7%], P = .07). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE In patients with alcoholic hepatitis, 4-week treatment with pentoxifylline and prednisolone, compared with prednisolone alone, did not result in improved 6-month survival. The study may have been underpowered to detect a significant difference in incidence of hepatorenal syndrome, which was less frequent in the group receiving pentoxifylline. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01214226.
Mutations in Epigenetic Modifiers in Myeloid Malignancies and the Prospect of Novel Epigenetic-Targeted Therapy

In the recent years, the discovery of a series of mutations in patients with myeloid malignancies has provided insight into the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Among these alterations have been mutations in genes, such as IDH1/2, TET2, DNMT3A, and EZH2, which appear to affect DNA and/or histone lysine methylation. Large clinical correlative studies are beginning to decipher the clinical importance, prevalence, and potential prognostic significance of these mutations. Additionally, burgeoning insight into the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies has prompted increased interest in development of novel therapies which target DNA and histone posttranslational modifications. DNA demethylating agents have been demonstrated to be clinically active in a subset of patients with MDS and AML and are used extensively. However, newer, more specific agents which alter DNA and histone modification are under preclinical study and development and are likely to expand our therapeutic options for these diseases in the near future. Here, we review the current understanding of the clinical importance of these newly discovered mutations in AML and MDS patients. We also discuss exciting developments in DNA methyltransferase inhibitor strategies and the prospect of novel histone lysine methyltransferase inhibitors.
Surfactant-Free Solid Dispersions of Hydrophobic Drugs in an Amorphous Sugar Matrix Dried from an Organic Solvent.

The technique for homogeneously dispersing hydrophobic drugs in a water-soluble solid matrix (solid dispersion) is a subject that has been extensively investigated in the pharmaceutical industry. Herein, a novel technique for dispersing a solid, without the need to use a surfactant, is reported. A freeze-dried amorphous sugar sample was dissolved in an organic solvent, which contained a soluble model hydrophobic component. The suspension of the sugar and the model hydrophobic component was vacuum foam dried to give a solid powder. Four types of sugars and methanol were used as representative sugars and the organic medium. Four model drugs (indomethacin, ibuprofen, gliclazide, and nifedipine) were employed. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses indicated that the sugar and model drug (100:1) did not undergo segregation during the drying process. The dissolution of the hydrophobic drugs in water from the solid dispersion was then evaluated, and the results indicated that the Cmax and AUC0-60 min of the hydrophobic drug in water were increased when the surfactant-free solid dispersion was used. Palatinose and/or α-maltose were superior to the other tested carbohydrates in increasing Cmax and AUC0-60 min for all tested model drugs, and the model drug with a lower water solubility tended to exhibit a greater extent of over-dissolution.
Maturation of Plastid c-type Cytochromes

Cytochromes c are hemoproteins, with the prosthetic group covalently linked to the apoprotein, which function as electron carriers. A class of cytochromes c is defined by a CXXCH heme-binding motif where the cysteines form thioether bonds with the vinyl groups of heme. Plastids are known to contain up to three cytochromes c. The membrane-bound cytochrome f and soluble cytochrome c6 operate in photosynthesis while the activity of soluble cytochrome c6A remains unknown. Conversion of apo- to holocytochrome c occurs in the thylakoid lumen and requires the independent transport of apocytochrome and heme across the thylakoid membrane followed by the stereospecific attachment of ferroheme via thioether linkages. Attachment of heme to apoforms of plastid cytochromes c is dependent upon the products of the CCS (for cytochrome c synthesis) genes, first uncovered via genetic analysis of photosynthetic deficient mutants in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The CCS pathway also occurs in cyanobacteria and several bacteria. CcsA and CCS1, the signature components of the CCS pathway are polytopic membrane proteins proposed to operate in the delivery of heme from the stroma to the lumen, and also in the catalysis of the heme ligation reaction. CCDA, CCS4, and CCS5 are components of trans-thylakoid pathways that deliver reducing equivalents in order to maintain the heme-binding cysteines in a reduced form prior to thioether bond formation. While only four CCS components are needed in bacteria, at least eight components are required for plastid cytochrome c assembly, suggesting the biochemistry of thioether formation is more nuanced in the plastid system.
Encoding, Retrieval and Age Effects on Recollective Experience

In an experiment to examine the effects of encoding (repetition, association) and retrieval (recognition, cued and free recall) conditions and the age of the subject (young, elderly) on retrieval accuracy and recollective experience, 96 subjects studied a 20-item word list at their own pace. Recollective experience was assessed using Tulving’s (1985) and Gardiner’s (1988) measures of remembering (‘R’— a conscious recollection of information) and knowing (‘K’— knowledge other than that based on conscious recollection). Elaboration at the time of encoding and the availability of cue information at the time of recall led to improved accuracy performance; in addition, the young had greater retrieval accuracy than the elderly. Elaborative encoding increased the probability of an ‘R’ rating being associated with retrieval; free recall resulted in more ‘R’ ratings than cued recall and recognition, and the younger subjects had a greater likelihood of ‘R’ ratings than the older ones, although elaboration led to hi.
The relationship between gross motor function ability and time use in mothers of children with cerebral palsy

Introduction According to the World Health Organization, the balanced usage of time contributes to the health and welfare of individuals. Caring for a child with cerebral palsy imposes an extra pressure on parents, especially mothers as the main caregiver. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between gross motor function ability of children with cerebral palsy and time use of their mothers. Method Sixty mothers of children with cerebral palsy, sampled conveniently, participated in this cross-sectional study. Children aged between 6 and 11 years with a mean age of 9.04 years old (SD = 2.8). The Farsi version of Mothers’ Time Use Questionnaire and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were utilized to collect data. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated. Results The results demonstrated that the allocated time for childcare (rs = 0.44) and leisure (rs = −0.37) activities in mothers have significant correlations with gross motor function abilities of their children (P < 0.05). Conclusion Mothers who have children with higher scores according to the GMFCS, had to invest more time to meet needs of childcare activities. Consequently, they were not able to follow their interests and they felt an imbalanced use of time in their life.
Test structures and a measurement system for characterising the lifetime of EWOD devices

This paper presents a methodology together with a characterisation system for rapidly and quantitatively evaluating the lifetime and reliability of Electro-Wetting-on-Dielectric (EWOD) microfluidic devices. By studying the contact angle (CA) change when electrowetting forces are applied on the test structure, the number of times of a droplet can be switched between relaxed and actuated states can be characterised. This paper describes the development of an automated measurement system together with test structures designed to quickly characterise and optimise EWOD dielectric layer compositions. This enables the rapid determination of the driving voltage that results in the longest lifetime of the device, providing the tools to optimise both the process, architecture and the voltage driving scheme.
The Antibacterial Lectin RegIIIγ Promotes the Spatial Segregation of Microbiota and Host in the Intestine

Innate immune signaling and antimicrobial peptide activity maintain separation of the microbiota and intestinal epithelium. The mammalian intestine is home to ~100 trillion bacteria that perform important metabolic functions for their hosts. The proximity of vast numbers of bacteria to host intestinal tissues raises the question of how symbiotic host-bacterial relationships are maintained without eliciting potentially harmful immune responses. Here, we show that RegIIIγ, a secreted antibacterial lectin, is essential for maintaining a ~50-micrometer zone that physically separates the microbiota from the small intestinal epithelial surface. Loss of host-bacterial segregation in RegIIIγ−/− mice was coupled to increased bacterial colonization of the intestinal epithelial surface and enhanced activation of intestinal adaptive immune responses by the microbiota. Together, our findings reveal that RegIIIγ is a fundamental immune mechanism that promotes host-bacterial mutualism by regulating the spatial relationships between microbiota and host.
Economic Growth in an Interdependent World Economy 1

The Solow-Swan growth model predicts that growth should be uncorrelated with the ratio of national investment to GDP. If capital markets are open, the model predicts instantaneous convergence of GDP per capita across countries. Convergence is achieved by capital flows from rich to poor countries and a consequence of these flows is that the ratio of national savings to GDP in each country should differ substantially from the ratio of investment to GDP since there is no reason to expect that countries with high savings rates should be those with large investment opportunities. In the presence of capital market imperfections, such as the inability to borrow to finance human capital accumulation, convergence is predicted to occur more slowly. But savings and investment ratios should still differ substantially across countries. In the data, investment ratios are strongly correlated with growth across countries and investment ratios are closely correlated with savings ratios within countries. Both of these facts are difficult to explain with versions of the Solow-Swan model. We study a two-sector two-country AK model and argue that this model can account for these facts and that in this sense it provides a better description of the data than the Solow-Swan model. JEL Classification: F43, O16, O41
Global Childhood Deaths From Pertussis: A Historical Review

Impact of pertussis vaccines on mortality is a key World Health Organization indicator, and trends in mortality rates and age distribution can inform maternal immunization strategies. We systematically reviewed studies reporting pertussis mortality rates (PMRs) per million population, identifying 19 eligible studies. During a prevaccine observation period of ≥50 years in high-income countries (HICs), PMRs reduced in both infants and 1- to 4-year-olds by >80%, along with improvements in living conditions. In studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), PMRs resembled highest prevaccine HIC rates. Postvaccine in HICs, significant further reduction in deaths (>98%) occurred, but with a large left shift in age of onset among residual deaths. Postvaccine in LMICs, limited data also show large and rapid decreases in PMRs, first in older infants and children, but long-term data fully enumerating residual deaths are lacking. In Sweden, large increases in the prevalence of undetectable pertussis antibodies were found at 10 years after high childhood coverage of acellular pertussis vaccines. Such data are not available from LMICs using whole-cell vaccines in a primary schedule without boosters. Data on residual infant deaths and maternal seroprevalence would be valuable inputs into consideration of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy in LMIC settings, especially if more precise immune correlates of infant protection against death from pertussis were known.
Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents

SUMMARY The use of and search for drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-products chemists are combing the Earth for phytochemicals and “leads” which could be developed for treatment of infectious diseases. While 25 to 50% of current pharmaceuticals are derived from plants, none are used as antimicrobials. Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infectious conditions; Western medicine is trying to duplicate their successes. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. This review attempts to summarize the current status of botanical screening efforts, as well as in vivo studies of their effectiveness and toxicity. The structure and antimicrobial properties of phytochemicals are also addressed. Since many of these compounds are currently available as unregulated botanical preparations and their use by the public is increasing rapidly, clinicians need to consider the consequences of patients self-medicating with these preparations.
A Framework for Tangible User Interfaces within Projector-based Mixed Reality

This paper proposes a framework named TIPMR, for designing tangible user interfaces (TUIs) within projector-based mixed reality applications. The framework divides the target application into three parts: GUI-based application, TUI and an assistant. The assistant is employed as an adapter to translate between TUI operations and general GUI commands like mouse or keyboard events. This architecture makes it easier to focus on designing GUI-based applications and TUI separately. We built a tourist guidance system with two different tangible interaction modes based on TIPMR to demonstrate its usefulness and efficiency.