Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the use of labels to categorize issues in Open-Source Software projects

Reporting bugs, asking for new features and in general giving any kind of feedback is a common way to contribute to an Open-Source Software (OSS) project. This feedback is generally reported in the form of new issues for the project, managed by the so-called issue-trackers. One of the features provided by most issue-trackers is the possibility to define a set of labels/tags to classify the issues and, at least in theory, facilitate their management. Nevertheless, there is little empirical evidence to confirm that taking the time to categorize new issues has indeed a beneficial impact on the project evolution. In this paper we analyze a population of more than three million of GitHub projects and give some insights on how labels are used in them. Our preliminary results reveal that, even if the label mechanism is scarcely used, using labels favors the resolution of issues. Our analysis also suggests that not all projects use labels in the same way (e.g., for some labels are only a way to prioritize the project while others use them to signal their temporal evolution as they move along in the development workflow). Further research is needed to precisely characterize these label “families” and learn more the ideal application scenarios for each of them.
Robustness of multiqubit entanglement in the independent decoherence model

We study the robustness of the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger ('cat') class of multipartite states under decoherence. The noise model is described by a general completely positive map for qubits independently coupled to the environment. In particular, the robustness of N-party entanglement is studied in the large N limit when (a) the number of spatially separated subsystems is fixed but the size of each subsystem becomes large and (b) the size of the subsystems is fixed while their number becomes arbitrarily large. We obtain conditions for entanglement in these two cases. Among our other results, we show that the parity of an entangled state (i.e., whether it contains an even or odd number of qubits) can lead to qualitatively different robustness of entanglement under certain conditions.
Persistent activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by regulated proteolysis suggests a neuron-specific function of the ubiquitin system in Aplysia

In response to the facilitating neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) acquires a special mnemonic characteristic in Aplysia sensory neurons. PKA becomes persistently activated at basal cAMP concentrations owing to a decreased regulatory (R) to catalytic (C) subunit ratio. We previously implicated ubiquitin- mediated proteolysis in this selective loss of R. Here we show that ubiquitin (Ub), Ub-conjugates and proteasomes are present in cell bodies, axon, neuropil and nerve terminals of Aplysia neurons. Because R subunits are not decreased in muscle exposed to 5-HT, comparison of the two tissues provides a tractable approach to determine how the Ub pathway is regulated. We compared the structure of M1, the muscle- specific R isoform, to that of N4, a major neuronal R isoform, to rule out the possibility that the differences in their stability result from differences in structure. We present evidence that N4 and M1 are encoded by identical transcripts; they also behave similarly as protein substrates for the Ub pathway in extracts of the two tissues. Nervous tissue contains 20-times more free Ub, but we present evidence that the susceptibility of R subunits to degradation in neurons relative to muscle results from the greater capacity of neurons to degrade ubiquitinated proteins through the proteasome. Thus, factors that regulate the activity of proteasomes could underlie the enhanced degradation of R subunits in long-term sensitization.
Efficacy of clinical supervision: influence on job satisfaction, burnout and quality of care.

AIM This paper reports a study to determine how supervisees' backgrounds and surrounding infrastructure predict the efficacy of clinical supervision among Finnish nursing staff, their job satisfaction, levels of burnout and perceptions of the quality of care. BACKGROUND Several studies have described the effects of clinical supervision, but few have focused on evaluating it. Until recently, no studies have examined how clinical supervision evaluations are related to supervisees' backgrounds, surrounding infrastructure or respondents' levels of burnout, job satisfaction and perceptions of the quality of care. METHODS The survey involved supervisees completing a range of standardized and validated evaluation measures. The respondents were identified from 12 regional, central and university hospitals across Finland (n = 799). The data collection took place from October 2000 to February 2001. FINDINGS The evaluations varied statistically significantly and were associated with statistically significant variations in the respondents' backgrounds. Clinical supervision infrastructure was also strongly related to evaluation scores. Supervisees' age, education, gender, employment status, area of specialty, working hours, work experience and experience as a supervisor were statistically significant predictors for evaluations of the efficacy of clinical supervision. These evaluations of clinical supervision were also found to predict the respondents' job satisfaction, levels of burnout and assessments of good nursing. CONCLUSION Nursing staff, especially those who have over 10 years' work experience, work in general care, have a nursing diploma, are non-tenured, work part-time and work 24-hour rotating shifts can benefit from clinical supervision. However, resources need to be invested in supervisor education and nursing staff need to be encouraged to start working in both supervisor and supervisee roles because of the positive effects on job satisfaction and quality of care.
Transverse Sinus Stenting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Review of 52 Patients and of Model Predictions

Current thinking is that transverse sinus stenosis with significant pressure gradient across the narrowing may play a role in pseudotumor cerebri and that treatment may improve symptoms. Here, the authors review their experience with 52 patients who were clinically followed for 2–8 months after stenting. During this time all pressure gradients improved and symptoms were abolished. Symptom relapse occurred in 6 patients and all showed sinus restenosis. At the end of the study period, 49 of 52 patients were cured of their headaches and the authors concluded that transverse sinus stenting is beneficial in this clinical setting. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transverse sinus stenosis is common in patients with IIH. While the role of transverse sinus stenosis in IIH pathogenesis remains controversial, modeling studies suggest that stent placement within a transverse sinus stenosis with a significant pressure gradient should decrease cerebral venous pressure, improve CSF resorption in the venous system, and thereby reduce intracranial (CSF) pressure, improving the symptoms of IIH and reducing papilledema. We aimed to determine if IIH could be reliably treated by stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, venographic, and intracranial pressure data before and after stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis in 52 of our own patients with IIH unresponsive to maximum acceptable medical treatment, treated since 2001 and followed between 2 months and 9 years. RESULTS: Before stent placement, the mean superior sagittal sinus pressure was 34 mm Hg (462 mm H20) with a mean transverse sinus stenosis gradient of 20 mm Hg. The mean lumbar CSF pressure before stent placement was 322 mm H2O. In all 52 patients, stent placement immediately eliminated the TSS pressure gradient, rapidly improved IIH symptoms, and abolished papilledema. In 6 patients, symptom relapse (headache) was associated with increased venous pressure and recurrent stenosis adjacent to the previous stent. In these cases, placement of another stent again removed the transverse sinus stenosis pressure gradient and improved symptoms. Of the 52 patients, 49 have been cured of all IIH symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a role for transverse sinus stent placement in the management of selected patients with IIH.
Anaesthesia and the QT intervalEffects of isoflurane and halothane in unpremedicated children

The effects of isoflurane and halothane on the QT interval were investigated during induction of anaesthesia. Fifty‐one unpremedicated, ASA grade 1 children were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with either isoflurane (n = 25) or halothane (n = 26) and was maintained to the end of the study with end‐tidal concentrations of between 2.5% and 3%. Recordings of the electrocardiograph, heart rate and systolic arterial pressure were obtained at the following times: before induction of anaesthesia; 1 min and 3 min after stable end‐tidal concentrations of anaesthetic agent had been reached; 1 min and 3 min following vecuronium administration; at the time of tracheal intubation and 1 min and 3 min later. Isoflurane significantly prolonged the QT interval (p < 0.001), in contrast to halothane which shortened it (p < 0.01). Heart rate remained largely unchanged during isoflurane anaesthesia but it decreased in the presence of halothane (p < 0.001). In both groups, systolic arterial pressure decreased significantly after induction of anaesthesia (p < 0.001) and remained so to the end of the study. In the isoflurane group, 12 children developed ECG repolarisation abnormalities and in one child an arrhythmia was noticed. In the halothane group, one child developed repolarisation changes while arrhythmias were observed in 10 children. There were no adverse sequelae. It is concluded that halothane may be a better anaesthetic agent than isoflurane for use in children with a prolonged QT interval.
Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in Terrestrial Ecosystems of China: Revised Estimation on Three-Dimensional Surfaces

The estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in terrestrial ecosystems of China is of particular importance because it exerts a major influence on worldwide terrestrial carbon (C) storage and global climate change. Map-based estimates of SOC stocks conducted in previous studies have typically been applied on planimetric areas, which led to the underestimation of SOC stock. In the present study, SOC stock in China was estimated using a revised method on three-dimensional (3-D) surfaces, which considered the undulation of the landforms. Data were collected from the 1:4 M China Soil Map and a search work from the Second Soil Survey in China. Results indicated that the SOC stocks were 28.8 Pg C and 88.5 Pg C in soils at depths of 0–20 cm and 0–100 cm, corresponding to significant increases of 5.66% and 5.44%, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that the SOC stock accumulated with the increase of areas on 3-D surfaces. These results provide more reasonable estimates and new references about SOC stocks in terrestrial ecosystems of China. The method of estimation on 3-D surfaces has scientific meaning to promote the development of new approaches to estimate accurate SOC stocks.
Differential Susceptibility to Social Network Influences on School Motivation in a Cohort of Sixth Graders

Students’ classroom engagement is a strong predictor of positive educational outcomes including academic achievement, GPA, and standardized test scores. Most existing research has focused on the role of quality parenting and teaching in the development of student engagement. However, some research has shown small, yet significant effects of influences from students’ peer groups on the development of their engagement. The goal of this study was to explore whether some children are more susceptible to the effects of their peer groups, and to examine a series of possible factors that might amplify the influence of a target students peer group on the development of that students’ own engagement over the course of an academic year. In a re-analysis of an existing data set (Kindermann, 2007), peer group profiles of student engagement were examined as predictors of changes in individual engagement from fall to spring. It was expected that peer groups’ levels of engagement would vary in their predictive power for changes in students’ own engagement over the school year, depending upon individual levels of peer relatedness, the number of peers with whom the student affiliates with, student perceptions of parental involvement, as well as person-to-group differences in engagement. Gender differences were expected to be non-significant. As expected, results from two sets of analysis indicate no significant gender differences in susceptibility to peer influence. Furthermore, results suggest that susceptibility to peer influence on school engagement may depend upon the number of peers with whom a student affiliates with, parental involvement, as well as person-to-group differences in engagement. However, contrary to expectations, results suggest that a student’s
Drosophila Su(Hw) Insulator Can Stimulate Transcription of a Weakened yellow Promoter Over a Distance

The insulator element from the gypsy transposon is a DNA sequence that blocks activation of a promoter by a transcriptional enhancer when placed between them. The insulator contains reiterated binding sites for the Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)] zinc-finger protein. A protein encoded by another gene, modifier of mdg4 [mod(mdg4)], is also required for the enhancer-blocking activity of the Su(Hw) insulator. Here we present evidence that the Su(Hw) insulator activates a weakened yellow promoter at a distance. Deletion of the upstream promoter region (UPR), located close by the TATA box, significantly reduces yellow expression. The Su(Hw) insulator placed at different positions relative to the yellow promoter partially compensates for loss of the UPR. Su(Hw) is able to stimulate yellow expression even if it is located at a 5-kb distance from the promoter. The stimulatory activity depends on the number of Su(Hw)-binding sites. Mutational analysis demonstrates that only the DNA-binding domain and adjacent regions of the Su(Hw) protein are required for stimulation of yellow transcription.
Genome-wide impact of a recently expanded microRNA cluster in mouse

Variations in microRNA (miRNA) gene and/or target repertoire are likely to be key drivers of phenotypic differences between species. To better understand these changes, we developed a computational method that identifies signatures of species-specific target site gain and loss associated with miRNA acquisition. Interestingly, several of the miRNAs implicated in mouse 3′ UTR evolution derive from a single rapidly expanded rodent-specific miRNA cluster. Located in the intron of Sfmbt2, a maternally imprinted polycomb gene, these miRNAs (referred to as the Sfmbt2 cluster) are expressed in both embryonic stem cells and the placenta. One abundant miRNA from the cluster, miR-467a, functionally overlaps with the mir-290-295 cluster in promoting growth and survival of mouse embryonic stem cells. Predicted novel targets of the remaining cluster members are enriched in pathways regulating cell survival. Two relevant species-specific target candidates, Lats2 and Dedd2, were validated in cultured cells. We suggest that the rapid evolution of the Sfmbt2 cluster may be a result of intersex conflict for growth regulation in early mammalian development and could provide a general model for the genomic response to acquisition of miRNAs and similar regulatory factors.
Dengue: an evaluation of dengue severity in French Polynesia based on an analysis of 403 laboratory‐confirmed cases

Summary We conducted a retrospective study of 403 laboratory‐confirmed dengue cases hospitalized in Tahiti between August 1989 and March 1997. According to standard WHO criteria, 337 of these cases were dengue fever (DF) and 64 were dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Of the 10 fatal cases, 6 were DF and 4 were DHF. As an alternative, we used a correspondence analysis procedure to define dengue severity based on basic clinical and biological criteria for which we assigned a severity score, and then selected the 50 most severe cases from this analysis. Of the latter, 17 patients had been classified as DF and 33 as DHF by the WHO criteria. From this analysis, haemorrhages and decreased platelets counts associated with hepatic disorders are the main criteria associated with the severe dengue cases. Thus in our study population, the WHO classification does not account for the overall severity of dengue; hepatic failure should be considered as a specific severe form of dengue since plasma leakage, which is the pathophysiological hallmark of DHF, is only one of the pathogenic mechanisms leading to severity.
A communication technique for swarm-capable autonomous agents

This paper reports on a communication technique and associated technology designed to achieve embodied and situated communication between swarm-capable autonomous agents. The swarm model chosen was that of a fish school. A RFID based wireless communication system, also capable of measuring both direction of and distance to transmitter, was developed and installed on a Braitenberg vehicle. The communication technique allows vehicles to transmit, at regular intervals, their physiological state to the outside world in general and other vehicles in particular. The information transmitted may be used by other vehicles to decide whether or not to form a school and the communication reach fulfils the prerequisites to enable the vehicle to travel in a school formation.
Mechanistic insights into the vascular effects of blueberries: Evidence from recent studies

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Dietary habits influence a variety of cardiovascular complications such as peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and kidney disease. We along with others have previously reported the cardiovascular beneficial effects of dietary flavonoids. Anthocyanins, one class of flavonoids widely available in berries, have recently drawn wide scientific attention because of their diverse health benefits. Epidemiological, clinical, and animal studies indicate that blueberry anthocyanins exert protection against cardiovascular complications by acting on multiple targets in the vascular system. These include activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling, reducing oxidative stress, improving inflammatory pathways, and ameliorating dyslipidemia. Anthocyanins are extensively metabolized in humans suggesting that their vascular benefits are likely mediated by their circulating metabolites. However, the bioactivities of blueberry metabolites are unknown. Evaluating the bioactivities of metabolites, analyzing their structure-activity relationship, and well-designed human trials are needed to understand the potential vascular effects of blueberries and their metabolites. Understanding the vascular effects will provide a solid scientific foundation to recommend blueberries to improve vascular health. This review highlights the recent developments in the understanding of the vascular effects of blueberries with special emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involved.
Mandated managed care for blind and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries in a county-organized health system: implementation challenges and access issues.

OBJECTIVES The challenges of Medicaid managed care organizations that serve blind and disabled members are reviewed. Beneficiary satisfaction and access to care are assessed, and access problems are identified and resolved or minimized to the greatest degree possible. STUDY DESIGN Formative evaluation consisting of a mailed survey and follow-up telephone outreach contacts. PATIENTS AND METHODS A written survey was sent to more than 18,000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary members who were blind or disabled, with 5574 recipients responding. Of these, 1981 members identified issues that warranted 2106 follow-up telephone calls. RESULTS Survey responses showed that beneficiaries had limited experience with managed care and were generally satisfied with access to primary care. The healthcare system used the study findings to develop focused training programs and materials, to initiate a special needs liaison program, and to revise guidelines to simplify and standardize authorization procedures for obtaining medical supplies and repairing equipment. CONCLUSIONS Factors found to be associated with the success of a Medicaid managed care program serving blind and disabled beneficiaries include educating the members and providers for better understanding of managed care, incorporating collaborative service improvement activities, and documenting trends.
Endogenous ouabain, sodium balance and blood pressure: a review and a hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE To assess possible relationships between endogenous ouabain, sodium balance and blood pressure. CONTENT This review concerns the structure of endogenous ouabain, circulating levels of this steroid in various disorders of fluid and electrolyte balance, recent evidence for the association of endogenous ouabain with human hypertension, the influence of sodium and volume factors on ouabain-induced hypertension, and possible mechanisms for the hypertensinogenic activity of ouabain. CONCLUSIONS The human circulation contains a closely related isomer of ouabain of putative adrenocortical origin. Elevated circulating levels of this 'endogenous ouabain' are common but not universal in physiologic and pathologic states associated with positive sodium balance or high blood pressure, or both. In the absence of adrenal hyperfunction, elevating circulating levels of endogenous ouabain appear to be secondary to impaired renal clearance. Prolonged elevation of circulating ouabain in the rat induces sustained hypertension. This model exhibits normal plasma renin activity, increased levels of ouabain in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and kidney, and responds to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. In rats with normal kidney function, ouabain-induced hypertension is primarily sodium-insensitive although maneuvers that hinder renal sodium excretion augment the pressor effect of this steroid. Prolonged administration of ouabain into the brain ventricles augments sympathetic nervous system activity and induces sustained hypertension. These observations lead us to propose the following hypothesis. Among Caucasian patients with essential hypertension, a large fraction have elevated circulating levels of endogenous ouabain, possibly caused by an inherited or acquired renal defect in clearance of this steroid. In these patients, and in rats with ouabain-induced hypertension, increased local generation of, or increased target organ sensitivity to, angiotensin II, or both, may contribute critically to heightened vasoconstriction and a sustained increase in blood pressure. Investigations of the efferent pressor mechanisms and the renal handling of endogenous ouabain are novel approaches to the etiology and therapy of several common cardiovascular disorders.