Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of TERC and OBFC1 Haplotypes with Mean Leukocyte Telomere Length and Risk for Coronary Heart Disease

Objective To replicate the associations of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with variants at four loci and to investigate their associations with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type II diabetes (T2D), in order to examine possible causal effects of telomere maintenance machinery on disease aetiology. Methods Four SNPs at three loci BICD1 (rs2630578 GγC), 18q12.2 (rs2162440 GγT), and OBFC1 (rs10786775 CγG, rs11591710 AγC) were genotyped in four studies comprised of 2353 subjects out of which 1148 had CHD and 566 T2D. Three SNPs (rs12696304 CγG, rs10936601G>T and rs16847897 GγC) at the TERC locus were genotyped in these four studies, in addition to an offspring study of 765 healthy students. For all samples, LTL had been measured using a real-time PCR-based method. Results Only one SNP was associated with a significant effect on LTL, with the minor allele G of OBFC1 rs10786775 SNP being associated with longer LTL (β=0.029, P=0.04). No SNPs were significantly associated with CHD or T2D. For OBFC1 the haplotype carrying both rare alleles (rs10786775G and rs11591710C, haplotype frequency 0.089) was associated with lower CHD prevalence (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61–0.97; P= 0.03). The TERC haplotype GTC (rs12696304G, rs10936601T and rs16847897C, haplotype frequency 0.210) was associated with lower risk for both CHD (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.99; P=0.04) and T2D (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61–0.91; P= 0.004), with no effect on LTL. Only the last association remained after adjusting for multiple testing. Conclusion Of reported associations, only that between the OBFC1 rs10786775 SNP and LTL was confirmed, although our study has a limited power to detect modest effects. A 2-SNP OBFC1 haplotype was associated with higher risk of CHD, and a 3-SNP TERC haplotype was associated with both higher risk of CHD and T2D. Further work is required to confirm these results and explore the mechanisms of these effects.
Learning practice? Exploring the links between transitions and medical performance.

PURPOSE The aims of this paper are to understand the links between work transitions and doctors' performance and to identify the implications for policy, regulation, practice and research. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The paper explains transitions in terms of the inseparability of learning, practice and performance and introduces the concept of the transition as a critically intensive learning period to draw attention to this phenomenon. It also identifies implications for practice, research and regulation. FINDINGS Drawing on empirical data in relation to prescribing and case management, the paper will show that, in contrast to current assumptions of, understanding about and practice in doctors' transitions, doctors can never be fully prepared in advance for aspects of their work. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Transitions are explained in terms of the inseparability of learning, practice and performance and we introduce the concept of the transition as a critically intensive learning period to draw attention to this phenomenon. Also identified are implications for practice, research and regulation.
Antiviral Sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDGs) from the Brazilian Brown Seaweed Sargassum vulgare

Total lipids from the Brazilian brown seaweed Sargassum vulgare were extracted with chloroform/methanol 2:1 and 1:2 (v/v) at room temperature. After performing Folch partition of the crude lipid extract, the lipids recovered from the Folch lower layer were fractionated on a silica gel column eluted with chloroform, acetone and methanol. The fraction eluted with methanol, presented a strong orcinol-positive band characteristic of the presence of sulfatides when examined by TLC. This fraction was then purified by two successive silica gel column chromatography giving rise to fractions F4I86 and F4II90 that exhibited strong activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2. The chemical structures present in both fractions were elucidated by ESI-MS and 1H/13C NMR analysis HSQC fingerprints based on their tandem–MS behavior as sulfoquinovosildiacylglycerols (SQDGs). The main SQDG present in both fractions and responsible for the anti-herpes activity observed was identified as 1,2-di-O-palmitoyl-3-O-(6-sulfo-α-d-quinovopyranosyl)-glycerol.
Profiling for laziness

While many programmers appreciate the benefits of lazy programming at an abstract level, determining which parts of a concrete program to evaluate lazily poses a significant challenge for most of them. Over the past thirty years, experts have published numerous papers on the problem, but developing this level of expertise requires a significant amount of experience. We present a profiling-based technique that captures and automates this expertise for the insertion of laziness annotations into strict programs. To make this idea precise, we show how to equip a formal semantics with a metric that measures waste in an evaluation. Then we explain how to implement this metric as a dynamic profiling tool that suggests where to insert laziness into a program. Finally, we present evidence that our profiler's suggestions either match or improve on an expert's use of laziness in a range of real-world applications.
Pantoprazole , a proton pump inhibitor , delays bone remodeling during fracture healing in mice

INTRODUCTION: Acid-suppression medications such as proton pump-inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely prescribed medications worldwide. PPIs are commonly used drugs for the therapy of reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcers and other acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, PPIs are used in combination with an analgetic therapy, first of all with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to avoid stress ulcers by inhibition of gastric proton-pump (H+/K+-ATPase) activity in the final step of gastric acid secretion in the parietal cells. Recent studies have now reported potential adverse consequences of chronic acid suppression, including an increased risk for bone fractures. In vitro and human data suggest that PPIs decrease bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastic vacuolar H+-ATPase. Vacuolar H+-ATPases are present in high concentration on the ruffled border of the resorbing osteoclasts, and this proton pump extrudes protons during the bone resorption process. Of interest, administration of a selective inhibitor of the osteoclastic vacuolar H+-ATPase prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats. These findings raise the possibility that PPIs can prevent osteoporosis and fractures. Although there may be substantial interest how these actions of PPIs influence bone regeneration, there is complete lack of information on whether PPIs can affect the process of fracture healing. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of pantoprazole on fracture healing in a standardized femur fracture model in mice. We hypothesized that pantoprazole impairs bone remodeling during fracture repair through inhibition of bone resorption.
Effects of stimulus parameters on motor seizure duration in electroconvulsive therapy

Objective This study examined the effect of stimulus parameters on the occurrence of adequate seizures and reconsidered the factors related to motor seizure duration. Methods The medical records of 187 patients who received ECT in Asan Medical Center from January 2007 to May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The starting stimulus dose was determined using a preselected-dose method and the cutoff value to determine the adequate motor seizure duration was 20–25 seconds. The association between seizure parameters and the occurrence of adequate seizure was assessed with logistic regression using a generalized estimating equation. Results Age (P<0.001), use of mood stabilizers (P=0.002), and benzodiazepine (P<0.001) were significantly lower in sessions with an adequate seizure duration but use of antidepressants (P<0.001) and clozapine (P=0.025) were significantly higher in sessions with an adequate seizure duration. In the generalized estimating equation analyses, after adjustment for age, benzodiazepine dose, and lamotrigine use, charge (odds ratio [OR] =0.999; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.998–1.000; P=0.005), and train duration (OR =0.632; 95% CI, 0.490–0.817; P<0.001) were significantly associated with the occurrence of adequate seizure. Discussion Stimulus charge and train duration are significantly associated with motor seizure duration. However, train duration appears to have a greater effect on motor seizure duration. Additionally, age, benzodiazepine dose, and lamotrigine use independently affect motor seizure duration.
Methods for biological data integration: perspectives and challenges

Rapid technological advances have led to the production of different types of biological data and enabled construction of complex networks with various types of interactions between diverse biological entities. Standard network data analysis methods were shown to be limited in dealing with such heterogeneous networked data and consequently, new methods for integrative data analyses have been proposed. The integrative methods can collectively mine multiple types of biological data and produce more holistic, systems-level biological insights. We survey recent methods for collective mining (integration) of various types of networked biological data. We compare different state-of-the-art methods for data integration and highlight their advantages and disadvantages in addressing important biological problems. We identify the important computational challenges of these methods and provide a general guideline for which methods are suited for specific biological problems, or specific data types. Moreover, we propose that recent non-negative matrix factorization-based approaches may become the integration methodology of choice, as they are well suited and accurate in dealing with heterogeneous data and have many opportunities for further development.
Bounding worst-case access times in modern multiprocessor systems

When evaluating worst-case execution times of real-time software on an off-the-shelf multiprocessor system, one should consider the architecture of the underlying hardware. This paper evaluates and discusses the impacts of the chipset of a symmetric multi-processing (SMP) architecture on the execution times of software. It will show how one can obtain worst-case execution times of accesses to main memory and to peripheral devices. This paper also introduces parameters to describe the different impacts on these access times. These parameters reflect the worst-case execution times of a set of uninterrupted accesses at different load conditions. Depending on the real-time requirements, accesses to main memory or to peripheral devices can be performed at different configuration states of hardware. At each state, the worst-case access times differ. This paper shows how these access times can be used for the evaluation of worst-case execution times of real-time software.
Response of Artemisia annua L. to shade and manure fertilizer application in lowland altitude

Artemisia is a plant producing artemisinin substance which is the main compound in the treatment of malaria. Artemisia comes from China, usually grows wild in native habitats in the plains with an altitude of 1,000-1,500 meters above the sea level. Artemisia development efforts in Indonesia hampered by limited land with the required altitude due to their competition with vegetable crops. Based on this reason, this research is conducted to observe the growth of artemisia planted in lowland with the help of shade and manure. This study aims to determine the level of shade and best manure on the growth of Artemisia. Research conducted at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture UNS Jumantono using nested design with two factors, shade as main factor and manure fertilizer as sub factor. The data analysis used F test with confidence level of 5%, if significant, then continued with DMRT (Duncan Multiple Range Test). The results showed the treatment of shade gave no difference in growth within 50% shade, 75% shade as well as without shade treatment. Goat manure fertilizer gave the highest result and able to increase plant height, number of branches, flower weight and root volume.
Lung cancer screening with low dose CT: experience at Campus Bio-Medico of Rome on 1500 patients.

AIM The main purpose of our project was to evaluate the prevalence of lung cancer in high risk, asymptomatic individuals in addition to quantifying the rate of surgically resectable tumors, and evaluating the role of lung cancer with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) as a tool for lung cancer screening. METHODS Between June 2011 and March 2014, 1500 volunteers at high risk for lung cancer were enrolled in our study and underwent LDCT in our institution. The subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic steps were planned in relation to the results emerging from LDCT. To evaluate speed and type of growth, solid nodules ≤4 mm were reassessed with annual LDCT, those >4-6 mm or >6-8 mm were reassessed with LDCT in 6 or 3 months while nodules suspicious for malignancy were investigated with PET-CT or biopsy according to NCCN guidelines. RESULTS Non-calcified nodules were detected in 525 subjects (35% of population): among these 42% had a diameter ≤4 mm, 43% had a diameter >5 mm but <10 mm, 3% appeared as "ground glass" lesions, and 63 (12% of detected nodules) had malignant characteristics (irregular margins, retraction of the surrounding parenchyma, diameter >10 mm). Among the 63 patients who underwent PET-CT or biopsy, 25 cases resulted positive for lung cancer (1.7% of population). These patients underwent surgical treatment with histological detection of tumors in stages IA, IB or IIB. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the emerging data on the use of LDCT as a screening tool for lung neoplasm in individuals at risk. Due to the LDCT low rate of specificity complementary biomarkers are required to properly define patients at risk and to reduce the number of further radiological examinations.
Human interface design and the handicapped user

The use of computers in the workplace has increased our opportunity to open new avenues of employment for handicapped people. However, the full potential of this opportunity is far from being realized. In fact, as Lawrence Scadden points out, some design decisions aimed at improving the interface for the non-disabled user are making those same systems less accessible to those that are handicapped. (" Direct Manipulation " interfaces, for example, present real problems of access for the visually impaired, compared to more traditional keyboard-based interaction.) Our hope for this panel is to increase designers' awareness of issues pertarning to the interface of systems used by physically handicapped indrviduals. We have four main objectives: Director Trace R &D Centre Waisman Center 1500 Highland Avenue Madison Wisconsin 1. To present a basic taxonomy of motor, sensory, and cognitive disabilities and how they affect performance. 2. To familiarize designers with what special interfacing devices are available to the handicapped user, and where these devices and information about them are available. 3. To present the case for a standard interface (hardware and software) for alternative devices on future computers, and to inform the CHI community about efforts in this direction being undertaken by the Department of Education. 4. To help designers better understand the impact of how their decisions will inhibit or facilitate the use of their systems by handicapped users. Within the context of the panel, it is clear that these issues can only be addressed at a very general level The best that we can hope for is to raise the general level of awareness of the issues, and provide pointers to more detailed sources There are two marn sections to the remainder of this written presentation First, we present some Introductory statements of position. Second, we provrde pointers to sources of additional literature and technologies. Innovations in interface technology have advanced to the level where even the most severely physically disabled person can now operate a computer. A few years ago, rehabilitation professionals were asking, " How could a disabled person control a computer? " , and " What could they do once they achieved control? ". Today, a multitude of specialized input systems enable disabled persons to access computers, and they can potentially engage in the same activities as everyone else and a few special applications such as augmentative communication. Now the key question is, " How can someone who …
Collective strategy for obstacle navigation during cooperative transport by ants

ABSTRACT Group cohesion and consensus have primarily been studied in the context of discrete decisions, but some group tasks require making serial decisions that build on one another. We examine such collective problem solving by studying obstacle navigation during cooperative transport in ants. In cooperative transport, ants work together to move a large object back to their nest. We blocked cooperative transport groups of Paratrechina longicornis with obstacles of varying complexity, analyzing groups' trajectories to infer what kind of strategy the ants employed. Simple strategies require little information, but more challenging, robust strategies succeed with a wider range of obstacles. We found that transport groups use a stochastic strategy that leads to efficient navigation around simple obstacles, and still succeeds at difficult obstacles. While groups navigating obstacles preferentially move directly toward the nest, they change their behavior over time; the longer the ants are obstructed, the more likely they are to move away from the nest. This increases the chance of finding a path around the obstacle. Groups rapidly changed directions and rarely stalled during navigation, indicating that these ants maintain consensus even when the nest direction is blocked. Although some decisions were aided by the arrival of new ants, at many key points, direction changes were initiated within the group, with no apparent external cause. This ant species is highly effective at navigating complex environments, and implements a flexible strategy that works for both simple and more complex obstacles. Highlighted Article: Ant groups navigate obstacles with a collective strategy that adapts to obstacle difficulty. Groups begin with simple behaviors; if unsuccessful, they switch to robust behaviors that work for more difficult obstacles.
Automatic composition of broadcast news summaries using rank classifiers trained with acoustic and lexical features

Research on automatic speech summarization typically focuses on optimizing objective evaluation criteria, such as the ROUGE metric, which depend on word and phrase overlaps between automatic and manually generated summary documents. However, the actual quality of the speech summarizer largely depends on how the end-users perceive the audio output. This work focuses on the task of composing summarized audio streams with the aim of improving the quality and interest perceived by the end-user. First, using crowd-sourced summary annotations on a broadcast news corpus, we train a rank-SVM classifier to learn the relative importance of each sentence in a news story. Acoustic, lexical and structural features are used for training. In addition, we investigate the perceived emotion level in each sentence to aid the summarizer in selecting interesting sentences, yielding an emotion-aware summarizer. Next, we propose several methods to combine these sentences to generate a compressed audio stream. Subjective evaluations are performed to evaluate the quality of the generated summaries on the following criterion: interest, abruptness, informativeness, attractiveness, and overall quality. The results indicate that users are most sensitive to the linguistic coherence and continuity of the audio stream.
A unified framework for content-aware view selection and planning through view importance

Massimo Mauro1 m.mauro001@unibs.it Hayko Riemenschneider2 http://www.vision. ee.ethz. ch/~rhayko/ Alberto Signoroni1 http://www.ing. unibs.it/~signoron/ Riccardo Leonardi1 http://www.ing. unibs.it/~leon/ Luc Van Gool2 http://www.vision. ee.ethz. ch/~vangool/ 1 Department of Information Engineering University of Brescia Brescia, Italia 2 Computer Vision Lab Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
Teduglutide for the Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome

Objective: To summarize the pharmacology, development, and clinical application of teduglutide (ALX-0600), a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog for the treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS). Data Sources: Clinical literature, including both primary sources and review articles, was accessed through a search of the MEDLINE databases (1980–March 2006). Key search terms included teduglutide, ALX-0600, glucagon-like peptide-2, short bowel syndrome, short gut, and intestinal adaptation. Clinical trial and drug data were supplied by the manufacturer, NPS Pharmaceuticals. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Review articles, abstracts, and clinical studies related to GLP-2 and its analog, teduglutide, were analyzed. An evaluation of the research exploring teduglutide for the management of SBS was conducted. Relevant information was then selected. Data Synthesis: Research has revealed that administration of GLP-2 to patients following major small bowel resection improves intestinal adaptation and nutrient absorption. Teduglutide is an enzyme-resistant GLP-2 analog that shows promise in preventing intestinal injury, restoring mucosal integrity, and enhancing intestinal absorptive function. Conclusions: Data from ongoing clinical trials indicate that teduglutide may have the ability to enhance intestinal absorptive capacity in patients with SBS. Further studies and the completion of Phase III trials are necessary to determine the appropriate dosage and length of treatment for patients with SBS to gain optimal therapeutic benefit from this drug.
State of the Geotags: Motivations and Recent Changes

The widespread adoption of smartphones has made it possible for large numbers of people to geotag their social media posts. Past work has studied the reasons people tag their location and the ways they do so on location-based social networks like Foursquare. But it is unclear how well these findings generalize to other social media not centered on location, such as Twitter or Flickr. Through an analysis of public data and two surveys, we investigate why people geotag their photos, tweets, and other non-location-based social media. We found that their reasons are similar to those in location-based social networks. We also found several surprises due to the different nature of these platforms and the changes since location-based social networks were introduced. For example, people usually consciously geotag, though a significant portion geotags unintentionally; coordinate geotagging is changing to placetagging; and job-posting bots constitute a growing portion of public geotags.