Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
iPLA2β Overexpression in Smooth Muscle Exacerbates Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Vascular Remodeling

OBJECTIVES Calcium independent group VIA phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)β) is up-regulated in vascular smooth muscle cells in some diseases, but whether the up-regulated iPLA(2)β affects vascular morphology and blood pressure is unknown. The current study addresses this question by evaluating the basal- and angiotensin II infusion-induced vascular remodeling and hypertension in smooth muscle specific iPLA(2)β transgenic (iPLA(2)β-Tg) mice. METHOD AND RESULTS Blood pressure was monitored by radiotelemetry and vascular remodeling was assessed by morphologic analysis. We found that the angiotensin II-induced increase in diastolic pressure was significantly higher in iPLA(2)β-Tg than iPLA(2)β-Wt mice, whereas, the basal blood pressure was not significantly different. The media thickness and media∶lumen ratio of the mesenteric arteries were significantly increased in angiotensin II-infused iPLA(2)β-Tg mice. Analysis revealed no difference in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. In contrast, adenovirus-mediated iPLA(2)β overexpression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells promoted angiotensin II-induced [(3)H]-leucine incorporation, indicating enhanced hypertrophy. Moreover, angiotensin II infusion-induced c-Jun phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells overexpressing iPLA2β to higher levels, which was abolished by inhibition of 12/15 lipoxygenase. In addition, we found that angiotensin II up-regulated the endogenous iPLA(2)β protein in-vitro and in-vivo. CONCLUSION The present study reports that iPLA(2)β up-regulation exacerbates angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, vascular remodeling and hypertension via the 12/15 lipoxygenase and c-Jun pathways.
Zoonotic and Potentially Host-Adapted Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes in Sheep and Cattle in Northeast China and an Increasing Concern about the Zoonotic Importance of Previously Considered Ruminant-Adapted Genotypes

ABSTRACT This study investigated fecal specimens from 489 sheep and 537 cattle in multiple cities in northeast China for the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by PCR and sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Sixty-eight sheep specimens (13.9%) and 32 cattle specimens (6.0%) were positive for E. bieneusi. Sequence polymorphisms enabled the identification of 9 known genotypes (BEB4, BEB6, CM7, CS-4, EbpC, G, I, J, and OEB1) and 11 new genotypes (NESH1 to NESH6 and NECA1 to NECA5). The genotypes formed two genetic clusters in a phylogenetic analysis, with CS-4, EbpC, G, NESH1 to NESH3, and NECA1 to NECA5 distributed in zoonotic group 1 and BEB4, BEB6, CM7, EbpI, J, OEB1, and NESH4 to NESH6 distributed in potentially host-adapted group 2. Nearly 70% of cases of E. bieneusi infections in sheep were contributed by human-pathogenic genotypes BEB6, CS-4, and EbpC, and over 80% of those in cattle were by genotypes BEB4, CS-4, EbpC, I, and J. The cooccurrence of genotypes BEB4, CS-4, EbpC, I, and J in domestic ruminants and children in northeast China and the identification of BEB6 and EbpC in humans and water in central China imply the possibility of zoonotic transmission. This study also summarizes E. bieneusi genotypes obtained from ruminants worldwide and displays their host ranges, geographical distributions, and phylogenetic relationships. The data suggest a host range expansion in some group 2 genotypes (notably BEB4, BEB6, I, and J) that were previously considered to be adapted to ruminants. We should be concerned about the increasing zoonotic importance of group 2 genotypes with low host specificity.
Climate change mitigation finance for smallholder agriculture : a guide book to harvesting soil carbon sequestration benefits

Contiene: 1. The role of mitigation finance in meeting challenges facing developing country agriculture -- 2. Agriculture greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation potential -- 3. Overview of current status of carbon finance for smallholder agriculture: where are the opportunities? -- 4. Measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of agricultural mitigation activities -- 5. Capturing agricultural mitigation benefits from smallholder agriculture: what next? -- 6. Steps to establishing an offset project for smallholder agricultural projects -- 7. Costs, benefits and risks -- 8. Institutions to link smallholders to mitigation finance -- 9. Conclusions and lessons from experience with project-based offsets
When Right Feels Left: Referral of Touch and Ownership between the Hands

Feeling touch on a body part is paradigmatically considered to require stimulation of tactile afferents from the body part in question, at least in healthy non-synaesthetic individuals. In contrast to this view, we report a perceptual illusion where people experience “phantom touches” on a right rubber hand when they see it brushed simultaneously with brushes applied to their left hand. Such illusory duplication and transfer of touch from the left to the right hand was only elicited when a homologous (i.e., left and right) pair of hands was brushed in synchrony for an extended period of time. This stimulation caused the majority of our participants to perceive the right rubber hand as their own and to sense two distinct touches – one located on the right rubber hand and the other on their left (stimulated) hand. This effect was supported by quantitative subjective reports in the form of questionnaires, behavioral data from a task in which participants pointed to the felt location of their right hand, and physiological evidence obtained by skin conductance responses when threatening the model hand. Our findings suggest that visual information augments subthreshold somatosensory responses in the ipsilateral hemisphere, thus producing a tactile experience from the non-stimulated body part. This finding is important because it reveals a new bilateral multisensory mechanism for tactile perception and limb ownership.
Rendering fine hair-like objects with Gaussian noise

When synthesizing images of fine objects like hair, we usually adopt sub-pixel drawing techniques to improve the image quality. For this paper, we analyzed the statistical features of images of thin lines and found that the distributions of the pixel values tended to be Gaussian. A psychophysical experiment showed that images of stripes with the appropriate Gaussian noise added are perceived to be finer than the original ones. We applied this perceptional property to hair rendering and developed a fast fine hair drawing algorithm.
Using artificial intelligence techniques to support project management

Abstract This paper develops a philosophy for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques as aids in engineering project management. First, we propose that traditional domain-independent, ‘means–and’ planners, may be valuable aids for planning detailed subtasks on projects, but that domain-specific planning tools are needed for work package or executive level project planning. Next, we propose that hybrid computer systems, using knowledge processing techniques in conjunction with procedural techniques such as decision analysis and network-based scheduling, can provide valuable new kinds of decision support for project objective-setting and project control, respectively. Finally we suggest that knowledge-based interactive graphics, developed for providing graphical explanations and user control in advanced knowledge processing environments, can provide powerful new kinds of decision support for project management. The first claim is supported by a review and analysis of previous work in the area of automated AI planning techniques. Our experience with PLATFORM I, II and III, a series of prototype AI-leveraged project management systems built using the IntelliCorp Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE™), provides the justification for the latter two claims.
CCR2 upregulation in DRG neurons plays a crucial role in gastric hyperalgesia associated with diabetic gastropathy

Background Diabetic gastropathy is a complex neuromuscular dysfunction of the stomach that commonly occurs in diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients often present with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as epigastric discomfort or pain. The aim of this study was to assess gastric sensation in streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) rats and to determine the contribution of C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) signaling to gastric hyperalgesia. Results DM rats showed signs of neuropathy (cutaneous mechanical hyperalgesia) from two weeks after streptozocin administration until the end of the experiment. Accelerated solid gastric emptying was observed at two weeks after streptozocin administration compared to the controls. Intense gastric hyperalgesia also developed in DM rats at two weeks after streptozocin administration, which was significantly reduced after intrathecal administration of the CCR2 antagonist INCB3344. Immunochemical analysis indicated that CCR2 expression was substantially upregulated in small and medium-sized dorsal root ganglia neurons of DM rats, although the protein level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, the preferred ligand for CCR2, was not significantly different between the control and DM groups. Conclusions These data suggest that CCR2 activation in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia neurons plays a role in the pathogenesis of gastric hyperalgesia associated with diabetic gastropathy and that CCR2 antagonist may be a promising treatment for therapeutic intervention.
Unsupervised Method for Automatic Construction of a Disease Dictionary from a Large Free Text Collection

Concept specific lexicons (e.g. diseases, drugs, anatomy) are a critical source of background knowledge for many medical language-processing systems. However, the rapid pace of biomedical research and the lack of constraints on usage ensure that such dictionaries are incomplete. Focusing on disease terminology, we have developed an automated, unsupervised, iterative pattern learning approach for constructing a comprehensive medical dictionary of disease terms from randomized clinical trial (RCT) abstracts, and we compared different ranking methods for automatically extracting con-textual patterns and concept terms. When used to identify disease concepts from 100 randomly chosen, manually annotated clinical abstracts, our disease dictionary shows significant performance improvement (F1 increased by 35-88%) over available, manually created disease terminologies.
Ethanol Production from Glycerol by the Yeast Pachysolen tannophilus Immobilized on Celite during Repeated-Batch Flask Culture

Abstract We investigated a novel process for production of ethanol from glycerol using the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus. After optimization of the fermentation medium, repeated-batch flask culture was performed over a period of 378 hr using yeast cells immobilized on Celite. Our results indicated that the use of Celite for immobilization of P. tannophilus was a practical approach for ethanol production from glycerol, and should be suitable for industrial ethanol production.
Cost of Collaboration vs Individual Effort in Social Networks

We study the dynamics of social networks in terms of population growth and control of user behavior. Most of the current research in social networks focus on static analysis through graph theoretic models to represent the networks or focus on modeling the traffic. Here, we study the cost of collaborative vs individualistic behavior of users in order to grow their network size in a social network. Each user incurs a cost (monetary or emotional) for collaboration. We formulate the behavior of the users as a non-linear optimization problem with a cost. The objective function of the optimization problem is obtained using a stochastic analysis of population growth in social networks, based on the first-passage time of a birth-death process. The stochastic model is validated by comparison with real data obtained from Twitter Results indicate that a homogeneous social network (in which users have similar characteristics) will be individualistic. However, heterogeneous social networks (users with different characteristics) exhibit a threshold effect, i.e., there is a minimum cost, below which the network is as collaborative as desired and a maximum cost above which the network is individualistic as required. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first analysis of dynamics of user behavior and temporal population growth in social networks.
Considerations in the significance of Dickkopf‐1 levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma: authors' reply

To the Editor: We read with great interest the report of Tung et al. (1), which provided the first evidence that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients had upregulation of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK1). The article concluded that both serum and tissue DKK1 levels increased in a stepwise manner in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis and had prognostic significance. DKK1 plays a functional role in cell migration, invasion and tumour growth. We offer the following comments. Firstly, their study showed that the serum DKK1 level was significantly lower in the group of HCC patients after treatment when compared with the advanced HCC group. Thus the authors hypothesized that elevated DKK1 levels were probably owing to over-production by tumours. However, they did not report the condition of the HCC patients after treatment (median time after treatment, 6 months). The current standard of care and therapy for patients with advanced HCC are unsatisfactory (1). What treatments had they taken? Did their tumour size and the number of nodules decrease after treatment? Did tumour recurrence occur? In the absence of this information, their conclusions seem unconvincing. Secondly, the serum DKK1 level in the HBV-carrier group was not significantly different from that of cirrhosis group. In contrast, there was a stepwise increase in the serum DKK1 level from the cirrhosis group via the early HCC (TNM stages I and II). From these findings the author concluded that DKK1 was a potential serum biomarker to distinguish between HBV carriers and HCC patients (1). However, it is well known that cirrhosis can be divided into two stages: compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis. The patients with compensated cirrhosis are usually in Child-Pugh grade A, whereas the patients with decompensated cirrhosis are usually in Child-Pugh grade B or C, whose mortality increases remarkably (2). But the authors did not take this fact into consideration. We wonder if the serum DKK1 level in compensated cirrhosis patients is significantly different from that of decompensated cirrhosis group. If yes, DKK1 would be a prognostic serum biomarker for HCC in the decompensated cirrhosis stage but not early HCC stage.
The impact of triadic strategic alignment on organisational performance in Yemen

Strategic alignment is deemed crucial in understanding how organisational performance can be improved through supporting business strategy with other organisational strategies. Whilst previous alignment literature has provided foundations for identifying the dimensions and performance impacts of the strategic alignment, it is mainly based on dyadic relationships between, for example, business and information technology (IT), business and marketing, or IT and marketing, which could not include other vital variable to develop a more comprehensive understanding of strategic alignment and its impact on organisational performance. Based on a systematic literature review of prior research on strategic alignment, this research develops a research model of triadic strategic alignment of business, IT, and marketing strategies and its impact on organisational performance. It posits that the alignment will result in better organisational performance. Relevant hypotheses have been proposed, which should provide future research directions. Using data collected from 242 managers, and analysed with PLSSEM. Keywords—Strategic alignment, IT strategy, Marketing strategy, Business performance
Management of adrenal insufficiency during the stress of medical illness and surgery

Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) require additional glucocorticoid doses during surgery or medical illness, but there is no universally accepted regimen for glucocorticoid supplementation therapy. The high doses and long duration of glucocorticoid coverage that have traditionally been used do not reflect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal response to surgical stress and medical illness in normal people. While the optimal dose and duration of supplementation therapy have not been established, our recommendations are based on extrapolation from what constitutes a normal cortisol response to stress, on expert opinion derived from the medical literature, and on clinical experience. The recommended use of lower doses of glucocorticoids during surgical and medical stress should not de‐emphasise the importance of additional supplementation during such events. Our recommendations do not replace clinical judgement, but their use will ensure that patients with AI are safely managed during illness or surgery without the risk of an adrenal crisis or excessive steroid dosing.
Fossil ‘treasure trove’ found in British Geological Survey vaults

The British Geological Survey is home to more than three million fossils collected over two centuries and catalogued with enormous precision. However, as generations of curators have come and gone, a few collections have lain forgotten and their significance has gradually passed out of memory. Six months ago, I pulled opened some drawers marked ‘unregistered fossil plants’ in one of the Survey's windowless vaults in Keyworth, in central England. What I found inside made my jaw drop. Contained within were hundreds of beautiful thin sections of fossil wood dating from the early nineteenth century. The collection was assembled by botanist Joseph Hooker (Darwin's best friend) while he was briefly employed by the Survey in 1846. The material includes some of the first thin sections ever made by William Nicol, the pioneer of petrography, in the late 1820s, as well as specimens picked up by Darwin and Hooker on their round‐the‐world voyages in the 1830s and 1840s. The collection is particularly interesting in the way it sheds light on the vibrant and sometimes murky world of early nineteenth century science. This is the story of these fascinating fossils.
Pilot trials in transfusion medicine

Preparatory work for clinical research in transfusionmedicinetakesonmanyforms.Background research activity which informs a future study is referred to as pilot work. Preliminary research projects of various designs with a specific hypothesis, objective, and method are referred to as pilot studies. Small-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with specific feasibility or scientific objectives designed with a future large RCT in mind are pilot trials. 1 In this report, we
Traffic shaping for atm networks: asymptotic analysis and simulations

We study a simple ow control method for ATM networks cal l ed peri odi c averaging of rate (PARing). Thi s method attempts to reduce the burstiness of tra c by bu ering. We present asymptoti c resul ts, obtained via the theory of l arge deviati ons, on the memory requi rements, the multiplexing gainof PARed sources, and the tradeo s between bu ering inside and outside of the network. We di scuss resul ts on the analysi s of networks (beyond singl e queues) when thi s method i s used. These resul ts exhibi t the potenti al for network l evel i nteracti on betweenstreams. We then propose an improved versi on of PARing whi ch i s akin to using a moving average l ter. We present prel iminary simulati ons for video sources.
Outcome of eight-plate hemiepiphysiodesis on genu valgum and height correction in bilateral fibular hemimelia

Fibular hemimelia is the most common lower extremity congenital longitudinal deficiency leading to cosmetic deformity, pain, and gait disturbance. Eight-plate hemiepiphysiodesis has proven to be successful in correcting angular deformity of the knee; it is an easy surgical technique and yields a more rapid rate of correction. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of eight-plate hemiepiphysiodesis in bilateral genu valgum resulting from fibular hemimelia and overall height improvement in two girls and four boys with a mean age of 22 months who were followed up for a period of 18 months. The variables studied were arm span, the total height ratio, intermalleolar distance, tibiofemoral angle, and activity. All the parameters improved significantly. The mean improvement in the valgus was 7.41°. The mean intermalleolar distance reduced by 19.5 cm, and all patients achieved a significant improvement in lower limb function. Although there was significant improvement in total height, it still lagged behind arm span at the time of final follow-up. The results of eight-plate hemiepiphysiodesis were found to be satisfactory. We conclude that it is a reasonable treatment option for young patients with an adequate growth potential.
Intelligence-Driven Computer Network Defense Informed by Analysis of Adversary Campaigns and Intrusion Kill Chains

Conventional network defense tools such as intrusion detection systems and anti-virus focus on the vulnerability component of risk, and traditional incident response methodology presupposes a successful intrusion. An evolution in the goals and sophistication of computer network intrusions has rendered these approaches insuﬃcient for certain actors. A new class of threats, appropriately dubbed the “Advanced Persistent Threat” (APT), represents well-resourced and trained adversaries that conduct multi-year intrusion campaigns targeting highly sensitive economic, proprietary, or national security information. These adversaries accomplish their goals using advanced tools and techniques designed to defeat most conventional computer network defense mechanisms. Network defense techniques which leverage knowledge about these adversaries can create an intelligence feedback loop, enabling defenders to establish a state of information superiority which decreases the adversary’s likelihood of success with each subsequent intrusion attempt. Using a kill chain model to describe phases of intrusions, mapping adversary kill chain indicators to defender courses of action, identifying patterns that link individual intrusions into broader campaigns, and understanding the iterative nature of intelligence gathering form the basis of intelligence-driven computer network defense (CND). Institutionalization of this approach reduces the likelihood of adversary success, informs network defense investment and resource prioritization, and yields relevant metrics of performance and eﬀectiveness. The evolution of advanced persistent threats necessitates an intelligence-based model because in this model the defenders mitigate not just vulnerability, but also the threat component of risk.
Liability for Medical Malpractice

Physicians and other medical providers are subject to a negligence rule of liability. In a simple model, with perfect information and homogeneous physicians, a negligence rule of liability with an appropriately defined due care standard should induce complete compliance: there should be no malpractice, no malpractice claims, and no demand for malpractice insurance. The malpractice experience is seriously at odds with this prediction. First, what goes wrong? Second, if the system does indeed operate imperfectly, does it yield benefits in terms of injuries deterred that outweigh the high overhead costs of operating a liability system?