Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Quyu xiaoban capsules on clinical outcomes and platelet activation and aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Quyu Xiaoban capsules (QYXB) on clinical outcomes and platelet activation and aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and phlegm and blood stasis syndrome. DESIGN Ninety patients with UAP were randomly divided into two groups: a control group that received a loading dose of 300 mg aspirin and a maintenance dose of 100 mg of aspirin plus baseline therapy for 4 weeks, and a trial group that received the same doses of aspirin and baseline therapy plus QYXB for 4 weeks. The severity of anginal attacks, alterations of TCM symptoms and signs, and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were assessed in all patients before and after treatment. The plasma platelet aggregation (PAG) rate and P-selectin level were measured in all patients at baseline and at the end of the fourth week of treatment. RESULTS After treatment for 4 weeks, both group of patients showed improvement in the severity of angina pectoris and TCM symptoms and signs, but there was a significant difference in the two groups' rates of clinical improvement, whereas the rate of ECG improvement of the two groups showed no difference. As compared with the baseline value, the PAG rate in both groups decreased significantly at the end of the fourth week (63.74 +/- 11.18% vs. 55.69 +/- 10.40% in the control group, and 63.83 +/- 12.70% vs. 50.04 +/- 8.91% in the trial group). Similar changes in P-selectin levels were observed in the two groups (9.40 +/- 1.25 ng/mL vs. 8.90 +/- 1.34 ng/mL in the control group, and 9.56 +/- 1.16 ng/mL vs. 7.80 +/- 0.98 ng/mL in the trial group). However, both the PAG rate and P-selectin level decreased to a greater extent in the trial group than in the control group after treatment, and the difference between the two groups was significant (both p < 0.05). Nevertheless, these biochemical changes were too small to fully explain the beneficial clinical outcomes achieved with QYXB capsules. CONCLUSIONS In comparison with both the respective baseline values and with aspirin therapy, QYXB capsules significantly attenuated anginal attacks and improved TCM symptoms and signs in patients with UAP. The exact mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects remain to be explored.
A Classification Approach to Melody Transcription

Melodies provide an important conceptual summarization of polyphonic audio. The extraction of melodic content has practical applications ranging from content-based audio retrieval to the analysis of musical structure. In contrast to previous transcription systems based on a model of the harmonic (or periodic) structure of musical pitches, we present a classification-based system for performing automatic melody transcription that makes no assumptions beyond what is learned from its training data. We evaluate the success of our algorithm by predicting the melody of the ISMIR 2004 Melody Competition evaluation set and on newly-generated test data. We show that a Support Vector Machine melodic classifier produces results comparable to state of the art model-based transcription systems.
Brief Announcement: Fault-tolerant Broadcast in Anonymous Distributed Systems with Fair Lossy Communication Channels

Fault-tolerant broadcast is a fundamental service in distributed systems, by which processes can communicate with each other consistently and reliably. It has two main forms: Reliable Broadcast (RB) and Uniform Reliable Broadcast (URB). This service has been extensively investigated in non-anonymous distributed systems where processes have unique identifers, usually assume the communication channels are reliable, which is not always the case in real systems. In this paper, the fault-tolerant broadcast service is studied in an anonymous asynchronous message passing distributed system model with fair lossy communication channels. Firstly, two simple and non-quiescent algorithms implementing RB and URB are given. Secondly, two new classes of failure detectors A_Theta and AP* are proposed. Finally, with the information provided by A_Theta and AP*, quiescent algorithms for both RB and URB are given.
A framework for privacy preserving statistical analysis on distributed databases

Alice and Bob are mutually untrusting curators who possess separate databases containing information about a set of respondents. This data is to be sanitized and published to enable accurate statistical analysis, while retaining the privacy of the individual respondents in the databases. Further, an adversary who looks at the published data must not even be able to compute statistical measures on it. Only an authorized researcher should be able to compute marginal and joint statistics. This work is an attempt toward providing a theoretical formulation of privacy and utility for problems of this type. Privacy of the individual respondents is formulated using ϵ-differential privacy. Privacy of the marginal and joint statistics on the distributed databases is formulated using a new model called δ-distributional ϵ-differential privacy. Finally, a constructive scheme based on randomized response is presented as an example mechanism that satisfies the formulated privacy requirements.
2 1 Ja n 20 14 The semantic marriage of monads and effects Extended abstract

Wadler and Thiemann unified type-and-effect systems with monadic semantics via a syntactic correspondence and soundness results with respect to an operational semantics. They conjecture t hat a general, “coherent” denotational semantics can be given to unify effect systems with a monadic-style semantics. We provide s uch a semantics based on the novel structure of an indexed monad, which we introduce. We redefine the semantics of Moggi’s computati on l λ-calculus in terms of (strong) indexed monads which gives a o neto-one correspondence between indices of the denotations a nd the effect annotations of traditional effect systems. Dually, this approach yieldsindexed comonads which gives a unified semantics and effect system to contextual notions of effect (calledcoeffects), which we have previously described [9]. Previously, Wadler and Thiemann established a syntactic co rrespondence between type-and-effect systems and themonadic semantics approach by annotating monadic type constructors with the effect sets of the type-and-effect system [10]. They est abli hed soundness results between the effect system and an operatio nal semantics, and conjectured a “coherent semantics” of effec ts and monads in a denotational style. One suggestion was to associ te to each effect set σ a different monadT . We take a different approach to a coherent semantics, unifyi ng effect systems with a monadic-style semantics in terms of th e novel notion of indexed monads, which generalises monads. 1 Indexed monads Indexed monads comprise a functor
Elastic Rod Model of a DNA Loop in the Lac Operon

twist [13], using a fast, computationally inexpensive approach that can be used to study DNA conformations in many protein-DNA systems. Model. — The structure of the loop is derived from its elastic properties only, which effectively result from both internal DNA rigidity and the short-range [14] electrostatic self-repulsion of DNA. The long-range electrostatic interactions are screened out under physiological salt conditions and result in negligible forces in the case studied, as shown below. Entropic effects are also neglected since the studied loop has a length of only 26 nm, which is about half of the 50 nm persistence length of DNA [15]. The elastic rod, approximating the DNA loop, is parametrized by its arclength s, according to the classical Kirchhoff approach [16]. The centers of the cross sections of the rod at each point s constitute the centerline rs. The local coordinate frame d1s, d2s, d3s determines the orientation of each cross section. The unit vectors d1 and d2 lie along the principal axes of the DNA cross section [17]; the vector d3 is normal to d1 and d2. The components of these vectors can be expressed in terms of the Euler angles or the Euler parameters [18], which determine the rotation of the local frame relative to the lab coordinate system. The shape of the rod is described in terms of the curvature k of its centerline and the twist V around the centerline [16]. The curvature is decomposed into its components k1 and k2 which account for the bending of the rod about d1 and d2, respectively. The twist is
Viscoelastic Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In this study, we investigated the viscoelasticity of individual bone marrow-derived adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and the role of specific cytoskeletal component-F-actin microfilaments on the mechanical properties of individual hMSCs. The mechanical properties of hMSCs were determined using the micropipette aspiration technique coupled with a viscoelastic solid model of the cell. For the hMSCs under control conditions the instantaneous Young's modulus E0 was found to be 886plusmn289(Pa), the equilibrium Young's modulus Einfin 372plusmn125(Pa), and the apparent viscosity mu 2714plusmn1626(Pamiddots). After exposed to 2muM of chemical agent-cytochalasin D that disrupt the F-actin microfilaments, the Young's moduli of hMSCs decreased by up to 72% and the apparent viscosity increased by 167%. These findings suggest that microfilaments are crucial in providing the viscoelastic properties of the hMSCs, and changes in the structure and properties of them may influence the mechanical properties of hMSCs significantly
Nutrition in Elderly Dialysis Patients

The end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) population is aging, and currently approximately 50% of patients treated with maintenance dialysis are more than 65 years old. With advancing age comes challenges to maintaining the nutritional status of these patients. As patients get older, purchasing and preparing food may become more difficult. In addition, appetite may decrease, the occurrence of intercurrent illnesses may become more frequent, and nutrient requirements change. Mobility may decline, as well as cognitive function, and the combination of several of these factors may result in malnutrition. Since malnutrition has been demonstrated to impact survival in dialysis patients of all ages, appropriate attention to nutritional status and its management is essential for the elderly dialysis patient. This article reviews the issues associated with the maintenance of good nutrition in the elderly dialysis patient and describes the potential causes of malnutrition in these patients. It also reviews the nutrient requirements for older dialysis patients (which differ somewhat from those of younger patients), as well as the assessment of their nutritional status. Finally, recommendations for management of nutrition in the elderly dialysis patient are discussed.
A multi‐institutional, multinational study of programming concepts using card sort data

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of the use of a repeated single‐criterion card sort with an unusually large, diverse participant group. The study, whose goal was to elicit novice programmers' knowledge of programming concepts, involved over 20 researchers from four continents and 276 participants drawn from 20 different institutions. In this paper we present the design of the study and the unexpected result that there were few discernible systematic differences in the population. The study was one of the activities of the National Science Foundation funded Bootstrapping Research in Computer Science Education project (2003).
Glycolate Oxidase Modulates Reactive Oxygen Species–Mediated Signal Transduction during Nonhost Resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis[W]

This article identifies the peroxisomal enzyme glycolate oxidase (GOX) as an essential element of nonhost resistance and provides evidence that apart from NADPH oxidase–generated H2O2, GOX is an alternate source for H2O2 production and plays a crucial role during both gene-for-gene and nonhost resistance by regulating genes from different defense signal transduction cascades. In contrast to gene-for-gene disease resistance, nonhost resistance governs defense responses to a broad range of potential pathogen species. To identify specific genes involved in the signal transduction cascade associated with nonhost disease resistance, we used a virus-induced gene-silencing screen in Nicotiana benthamiana, and identified the peroxisomal enzyme glycolate oxidase (GOX) as an essential component of nonhost resistance. GOX-silenced N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana GOX T-DNA insertion mutants are compromised for nonhost resistance. Moreover, Arabidopsis gox mutants have lower H2O2 accumulation, reduced callose deposition, and reduced electrolyte leakage upon inoculation with hypersensitive response–causing nonhost pathogens. Arabidopsis gox mutants were not affected in NADPH oxidase activity, and silencing of a gene encoding NADPH oxidase (Respiratory burst oxidase homolog) in the gox mutants did not further increase susceptibility to nonhost pathogens, suggesting that GOX functions independently from NADPH oxidase. In the two gox mutants examined (haox2 and gox3), the expression of several defense-related genes upon nonhost pathogen inoculation was decreased compared with wild-type plants. Here we show that GOX is an alternative source for the production of H2O2 during both gene-for-gene and nonhost resistance responses.
The interplay of genetic and environmental factors in craniofacial morphogenesis: holoprosencephaly and the role of cholesterol

ABSTRACT Cyclopia, the paradigmatic “face [that] predicts the brain” in severe holoprosencephaly (HPE) (DeMyer et al., 1964), has been recognized since ancient times. Descriptive embryologists and pathologists have noted the continuum of defective separation of the forebrain and loss of central nervous system (CNS) mid‐line structures for more than a century. It has been recognized more recently that inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, whether consumed in native plants by range sheep, or experimentally applied to early embryos, could pheno‐copy the natural malformation, as could a variety of other teratogens (maternal diabetes, alcohol). Yet it has been less than a decade that the genomic knowledge base and powerful analytic methods have brought the sciences of descriptive, molecular, and genetic embryology within range of each other. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentations and pathogenesis of HPE. We will outline various genetic and teratogenic mechanisms leading to HPE. Lastly, we will attempt to examine the pivotal role of cholesterol and the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway in this disorder and in normal embryonic forebrain development.
A Miniature Energy Harvesting Device Using Martensite Variant Reorientation

This paper presents a miniature energy harvesting device that makes use of stress-induced cyclic martensite variant reorientation in a Ni-Mn-Ga single crystal of 0.3x2x2 mm³ size. The stress- and magnetic field-induced reorientation is investigated for single crystalline Ni50.2Mn28. 4Ga21.4 specimens of 0.3 mm thickness that are cut along the (100) direction and subjected to uniaxial compressive loading. A demonstrator is presented consisting of a FSMA specimen placed in the gap of a magnetic circuit to guide and enhance the field of biasing permanent magnets. The cyclic motion of a piezoelectric bimorph actuator is used to mechanically load the FSMA specimen. The corresponding change of magnetic flux induces an electrical voltage in a pick-up coil (N=2000 turns). The effects of biasing magnetic field, strain amplitude and strain velocity are investigated. An optimum magnetic field of 0.4 T exists, where the output voltage reaches 120 mV at a strain velocity of 0.006 ms-1.
Hyaluronidase Activity of Normal and Neoplastic Interstitial Fluid 1

Summary The hyaluronidase activity of the interstitial fluid of Walker carcinoma transplanted into Sprague-Dawley rats was sharply increased when compared with the activity of normal subcutaneous interstitial fluid. On the contrary, the hyaluronidase activity in blood serum of tumor-bearing rats was depressed as compared with the activity of normal serum. The implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Genomic profiling of myeloma: the best approach, a comparison of cytogenetics, FISH and array-CGH of 112 myeloma cases

Background Chromosome abnormalities are important prognostic factors in myeloma allowing risk stratification of patients. Different techniques are available for their detection including cytogenetics, Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) and array Competitive Genomic Hybridisation (CGH). This study aimed to assess the validity and usefulness of each technique in a diagnostic setting. Methods 112 myeloma cases were analysed by whole bone marrow cytogenetics and by FISH and array CGH performed on purified plasma cell populations. Results Clonal abnormalities were identified in 30% of cases by cytogenetics and 97% by FISH and array CGH. By combining array and FISH results abnormalities were detected in 99% of cases and, if cytogenetic analysis was also considered, abnormalities were detected in 100% of cases. Conclusions Cytogenetic analysis is of limited value in myeloma. Array CGH and FISH are highly specific tests allowing the identification of aberrations in virtually all cases. The two techniques are complementary and need to be combined in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of all clinically relevant aberrations in myeloma.
Artificial intelligence, computational thinking, and mathematics education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), computational thinking (CT), and mathematics education (ME) for young students (K-8). Specifically, it focuses on three key elements that are common to AI, CT and ME: agency, modeling of phenomena and abstracting concepts beyond specific instances. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical framework of this paper adopts a sociocultural perspective where knowledge is constructed in interactions with others (Vygotsky, 1978). Others also refers to the multiplicity of technologies that surround us, including both the digital artefacts of our new media world, and the human methods and specialized processes acting in the world. Technology is not simply a tool for human intention. It is an actor in the cognitive ecology of immersive humans-with-technology environments (Levy, 1993, 1998) that supports but also disrupts and reorganizes human thinking (Borba and Villarreal, 2005). Findings There is fruitful overlap between AI, CT and ME that is of value to consider in mathematics education. Originality/value Seeing ME through the lenses of other disciplines and recognizing that there is a significant overlap of key elements reinforces the importance of agency, modeling and abstraction in ME and provides new contexts and tools for incorporating them in classroom practice.
Adaptive Technique for Clutter and Noise Supression in Weather Radar Exposes Weak Echoes Over an Urban Area

We present an adaptive spectral technique for ground clutter and noise suppression in weather radar echoes. This technique is especially good for detecting weak echoes that are either submerged in noise or masked by the residuals from ground clutter if standard techniques for clutter suppression are used. Our technique is demonstrated on two clear air cases observed with Doppler weather radar on February 22, 2007 and March 6, 2007. Adaptively suppressed ground clutter and noise allow exposure of a feature over an urban area, which we interpret as a "bird highway" between two lakes and along the river.
Software and Hardware for Exploiting Speculative Parallelism with a Multiprocessor

Thread-level speculation (TLS) makes it possible to parallelize general purpose C programs. This paper proposes software and hardware mechanisms that support speculative thread- level execution on a single-chip multiprocessor. A detailed analysis of programs using the TLS execution model shows a bound on the performance of a TLS machine that is promising. In particular, TLS makes it feasible to find speculative do across parallelism in outer loops that can greatly improve the performance of general-purpose applications. Exploiting speculative thread-level parallelism on a multiprocessor requires the compiler to determine where to speculate, and to generate SPMD (single program multiple data) code.We have developed a fully automatic compiler system that uses profile information to determine the best loops to execute speculatively, and to generate the synchronization code that improves the performance of speculative execution. The hardware mechanisms required to support speculation are simple extensions to the cache hierarchy of a single chip multiprocessor. We show that with our proposed mechanisms, thread-level speculation provides significant performance benefits.
Phoneme-Dependent NMF for Speech Enhancement in Monaural Mixtures

The problem of separating speech signals out of monaural mixtures (with other non-speech or speech signals) has become increasingly popular in recent times. Among the various solutions proposed, the most popular methods are based on compositional models such as non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and latent variable models. Although these techniques are highly effective they largely ignore the inherently phonetic nature of speech. In this paper we present a phoneme-dependent NMFbased algorithm to separate speech from monaural mixtures. Experiments performed on speech mixed with music indicate that the proposed algorithm can result in significant improvement in separation performance, over conventional NMF-based separation.
Soil Stabilization by Calcium Carbide Residue and Fly Ash

Calcium carbide residue (CCR) and fly ash (FA) are both waste products from acetylene gas factories and power plants, respectively. The mixture of CCR and FA produces a cementitious material because CCR contains a lot of Ca(OH)2, while FA is a pozzolanic material. This paper investigates the possibility of using this cementitious material (a mixture of CCR and FA) to improve the strength of problematic silty clay in northeast Thailand. The influential factors involved in this study are water content, binder content, CCR∶FA ratio, and curing time. The mechanism controlling the development of strength is also illustrated. Strength development is investigated using the unconfined compression test. A microstructural study using a scanning electron microscope and thermal gravity analysis is performed to understand the microstructural changes that accompany the influential factors. Both strength and microstructural investigations reveal that the input of CCR reduces specific gravity and soil plasticity; thus, t.
Bicycle Commuting and Facilities in Major U.S. Cities: If You Build Them, Commuters Will Use Them

Some surveys indicate that providing bicycle lanes and paths may encourage more people to commute by bicycle. The presence of a striped lane or separated path can increase a cyclist’s perception of safety. With growing concerns over traffic congestion and vehicle pollution, public policy makers are increasingly promoting bicycling as an alternative for commuting and other utilitarian trip purposes. State and local spending on bicycle facilities has increased significantly over the past decade. Previous studies have linked higher levels of bicycle commuting to various demographic and geographic variables. At least one analysis showed that cities with higher levels of bicycle infrastructure (lanes and paths) witnessed higher levels of bicycle commuting. Research was conducted that affirms that finding by analyzing data from 43 large cities across the United States. This cross-sectional analysis improves on previous research by including a larger sample of cities, not including predominantly college towns, and using consistent data from the Bureau of the Census 2000 Supplemental Survey. Although the analysis has limitations, it does support the assertion that new bicycle lanes in large cities will be used by commuters.