Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Converting Instance Checking to Subsumption: A Rethink for Object Queries over Practical Ontologies

Efficiently querying Description Logic (DL) ontologies is becoming a vital task in various data-intensive DL applications. Considered as a basic service for answering object queries over DL ontologies, instance checking can be realized by using the most specific concept (MSC) method, which converts instance checking into subsumption problems. This method, however, loses its simplicity and efficiency when applied to large and complex ontologies, as it tends to generate very large MSCs that could lead to intractable reasoning. In this paper, we propose a revision to this MSC method for DL SHI, allowing it to generate much simpler and smaller concepts that are specific enough to answer a given query. With independence between computed MSCs, scalability for query answering can also be achieved by distributing and parallelizing the computations. An empirical evaluation shows the efficacy of our revised MSC method and the significant efficiency achieved when using it for answering object queries.
Comparing top k lists

Motivated by several applications, we introduce various distance measures between "top k lists. " Some of these distance measures are metrics, while others are not. For each of these latter distance measures: we show that it is "almost" a metric in the following two seemingly unrelated aspects:step-(i) it satisfies a relaxed version of the polygonal (hence, triangle) inequality, andstep-(ii) there is a metric with positive constant multiples that bounds our measure above and below.This is not a coincidence---we show that these two notions of almost being a metric are the same. Based on the second notion, we define two distance measures to be equivalent if they are bounded above and below by constant multiples of each other. We thereby identify a large and robust equivalence class of distance measures.Besides the applications to the task of identifying good notions of (dis-)similarity between two top k lists, our results imply polynomial-time constant-factor approximation algorithms for the rank aggregation problem with respect to a large class of distance measures.
Patterns of antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in children in a day-care setting.

BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the primary causes of illness and death among young children, and evidence suggests that the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant S pneumoniae is increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant S pneumoniae in a sample of children in day-care facilities in a region that includes both rural and urban communities. METHODS Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from 104 children in eight day-care centers located in rural and urban central Kentucky in April and May, 1997. Thirty-five of the children produced isolates positive for S pneumoniae. Each isolate was tested for susceptibility to penicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and cefotaxime. RESULTS Of the children with S pneumoniae isolates, 54% had isolates that were resistant to penicillin and 40% that were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Twenty-one (60%) of the isolates had resistance to at least one of the six tested antimicrobials, with 15 (43%) having resistance to more than one of the antimicrobials. The mean age of children with isolates resistant to penicillin was significantly less (2.7 + 1.6) than those with penicillin-susceptible isolates (3.7 + 1.1, P = .02). There was no relation between resistance and rural or urban day-care location. CONCLUSIONS A substantial proportion of S pneumoniae isolates in young children are resistant to antibiotics. Limiting the effect of S pneumoniae drug resistance may require a reexamination of outpatient treatment strategies for childhood respiratory tract infections.
A single-trial decoding method by integrating accumulated continuous classification for motor imagery based BCI

In this work, Accumulated Continuous Classification (ACC) method was proposed to facilitate single-trial decoding in Motor Imagery based Brain-computer Interface. Exploring the temporal information, the time interval of the single-trial was divided into several sub-segments, then the classified results were combined. Theoretical model was proposed, and the proposed method was evaluated in BCI competition 2008 IIa dataset.
Active guidance for laser retinal surgery with a handheld instrument

Laser photocoagulation is a standard interventional tool in vitreoretinal surgery. Commonly applied treatments such as grid photocoagulation and panretinal photocoagulation involve the application of hundreds of dotlike laser burns to the retina. In order to enhance the accuracy and reduce the tedium of this procedure, we are developing a robot-assisted technique for retinal laser photocoagulation that includes software for planning patterns of laser burns on a retinal image and uses an active handheld micromanipulator known as Micron in order to apply the pattern of burns to the retina. The paper describes the system and presents preliminary results. In a sample 7x7 pattern of lesions applied to an artificial surface, the system demonstrated a mean position error of 43±23 μιη.
The dynamics of entrepreneurship: hysteresis, business cycles and government policy

This article estimates two unobserved components models to explore the macrodynamics of entrepreneurship in Spain and the USA. We ask whether entrepreneurship exhibits hysteresis, defined as a macrodynamic structure in which the cyclical component of entrepreneurship has persistent effects on the natural rate of entrepreneurship. We find evidence of hysteresis in Spain, but not the USA, while in Spain business cycle output variations significantly affect future rates of entrepreneurship. The article discusses implications of the findings for the design of entrepreneurship policies.
255Gy irradiated techyzoites of toxoplasma gondii induce intestinal imune response in C57BL/6J mice immunized by oral route

Toxoplasmosis, a prevalent widespread infection in man and animals, occurs mainly through ingestion of water and food contaminated with oocyst from cat feces, causing usually benign disease in humans, except in intrauterine fetal infection or in immunodeficient patients. We study the oral route for the development of a vaccine for toxoplasmosis, using parasites irradiated with 60 Cobalt, as an alternative for vaccine development to this worldwide parasitic infection. We evaluated the development of immunity at serum or mucosal levels, and their efficiency in protect the mice against challenge with oral cysts of the ME-49 strain. C57Bl/6j isogenic mice were immunized by oral route with 10 255 Gy irradiated tachyzoites from RH strain, at several protocols using milk as anti-peptic adjuvant and alum hydroxide as antacid. The preparations of irradiated tachyzoites induced production of serum IgG and IgA in immunized mice, as determined by ELISA, with IgG2a as the dominant subclass, similar to chronic infection. Their use with adjuvant allowed the excretion of significant amounts of IgA in stools also IgG, despite a lesser extent. All oral preparations induced some quantitative protection against challenge, which was similar to the parenteral route only isolated alum hydroxide was used as adjuvant. All these data support the possibility of the development of an oral vaccine against toxoplasmosis, using irradiated tachyzoites, which would be possible tool in near future for use in field baits, for immunizing either domestic or wild felids.
ZmMADS47 Regulates Zein Gene Transcription through Interaction with Opaque2

Zeins, the predominent storage proteins in maize endosperm, are encoded by multiple genes and gene families. However, only a few transcriptional factors for zein gene regulation have been functionally characterized. In this study, a MADS-box protein, namely ZmMADS47, was identified as an Opaque2 (O2) interacting protein via yeast two-hybrid screening. The N-terminal portion of ZmMADS47 contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS), and its C-terminal portion contains a transcriptional activation domain (AD). Interestingly, the transcriptional activation activity is blocked in its full length form, suggesting conformational regulation of the AD. Molecular and RNA-seq analyses of ZmMADS47 RNAi lines revealed down regulation of α-zein and 50-kD γ-zein genes. ZmMADS47 binds the CATGT motif in promoters of these zein genes, but ZmMADS47 alone is not able to transactivate the promoters. However, when both O2 and ZmMADS47 are present, the transactivation of these promoters was greatly enhanced. This enhancement was dependent on the AD function of ZmMADS47 and the interaction between ZmMADS47 and O2, but it was independent from the AD function of O2. Therefore, it appears interaction with O2 activates ZmMADS47 on zein gene promoters.
Establishing more Suitable Distributed Plans for MultiNode-OLAP Systems

The materialization of multidimensional structures is a common way to speed up mostly aggregation queries. Its proper selection has triggered a huge variety of proposals. Any algorithm that aims to solve the cube selection problem needs a way to estimate query and maintenance costs, as minimizing costs is the objective function. This estimation is harder if a distribution of multidimensional structures is concerned, as algorithms as to deal with an additional dimension -space -translated as a set of spatially distributed storage and processing nodes, interconnected with a communication network. In this paper we present some algorithms especially designed to estimate query and maintenance cost at a MultiNode OLAP system in time units, using a distributed non-linear generalized cost model.
Deplete Locally, Impact Globally: Environmental History of Shore- Whaling in Barbados, W.I.

We give a detailed history of the exploitation of marine mammals in Barbados, which focused almost exclusively on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). We have reconstructed this history to better understand the impacts of human activities on the marine environment. Based on historical data, we demonstrate that whaling was a marginal activity financed by local elites who found it easy to transfer labor and tools from agricultural activities to shore- whaling. In spite of its marginal status, this activity not only depleted the local population of whales in a relatively short period of time, it also contributed to the species' global decline. Today, humpbacks can be considered locally absent. Barbados, like other former British colonies, exploited marine mammals through shore-whaling, unlike many Latin American nations, which pursued dolphin fisheries. Barbadian shore-whaling, like many other marine mammal exploitation practices elsewhere in the Caribbean, was heavily influenced by industrialized nations. This history provides important clues for whale management and recovery.
Inequalities in the Provision of NHS Primary Care Dental Services in Scotland in 2004

Objective To assess inequalities in the provision of National Health Service (NHS) primary care dental services between Health Boards and the four provider groups (General Dental Service [GDS] non-specialist, GDS salaried, specialist working in primary care, Community Dental Service [CDS]) in Scotland. Methods A postal questionnaire survey of all dentists (N=2852) registered with the General Dental Council at an address in Scotland was undertaken. The following were assessed: the proportion of primary care dentists not accepting new children/adults for NHS care or using a waiting list, the proportion of dentists working in wheelchair-accessible surgeries, furthest distance travelled by patients to primary care surgery in an average week, waiting time for routine NHS treatment, and the proportion of dentists offering weekend or evening appointments to NHS patients. Data were analysed by Health Board and the four provider groups. Results A total of 2134 (74.8%) completed questionnaires were returned. One thousand, five hundred and seventy-seven dentists (73.9%) of the respondents were providing NHS primary care dental services for at least part of each week. There was a wide variation in the provision of NHS primary care dental services between Health Boards. Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Grampian performed poorly on most indicators, whereas Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, and Argyll and Clyde generally performed well. The CDS scored well on most indicators of service provision. There were problems with the provision of specialist dental services in primary care, and GDS services provided by Health Boards. Conclusions Because the problem issues differed between Health Boards and the four provider groups, it is likely that both local and national solutions are required to improve the provision of services. Further research on service demand is required to confirm the apparent inequalities in provision suggested by the study.
A Comparative Analysis of Different Finishing and Polishing Devices on Nanofilled, Microfilled, and Hybrid Composite: A Scanning Electron Microscopy and Profilometric Study

The continuous development of esthetically acceptable adhesive restorative material has made a variety of tooth-colored materials available for clinical use. The advent of visible light polymerizing resin and the use of finer filler particles permit resin composites to be polished to higher degree. The effect of polishing systems on surface finish has been reported to be material-dependent, and the effectiveness of these systems was mostly product-dependent. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of finishing and polishing systems on the surface roughness of nanofilled, microfilled, and hybrid composite restorative materials available in the market. How to cite this article Yadav RD, Raisingani D, Jindal D, Mathur R. A Comparative Analysis of Different Finishing and Polishing Devices on Nanofilled, Microfilled, and Hybrid Composite: A Scanning Electron Microscopy and Profilometric Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):201-208.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Decreases Cell Proliferation and TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 Cytokines Production in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is an amphipathic molecule composed of a polar domain characterized by the sulfinyl and two nonpolar methyl groups, for this reason it is able to solubilize polar and nonpolar substances and transpose hydrophobic barriers. DMSO is widely used to solubilize drugs of therapeutic applications and studies indicated that 10% v/v concentration did not modify culture viability when used to treat human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, some DMSO concentrations could influence lymphocyte activation and present anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMSO on lymphocyte activation parameters. Cell viability analysis, proliferation, and cytokine production were performed on PBMC from six healthy subjects by flow cytometry. The results indicated that 2.5% v/v DMSO concentrations did not modify lymphocytes viability. DMSO at 1% and 2% v/v concentrations reduced the relative proliferation index of lymphocytes and at 5% and 10% v/v concentrations reduced the percentage of total lymphocytes, cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) producers. Thus, it was concluded that DMSO has an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect by reducing lymphocyte activation demonstrated with proliferation reduction and the decrease of cytokine production.
Effect of corticosteroid use by dose on the risk of developing organ damage over time in systemic lupus erythematosus—the Hopkins Lupus Cohort

Objectives The impact of corticosteroids on the risk of organ damage in the context of clinical end points endorsed in some systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical trials is underexplored. Methods We analysed data from the Hopkins Lupus Cohort using Cox proportional hazards models to understand the impact of exposure to different corticosteroid doses on the risk of developing any new organ damage or any new organ damage at the individual organ systems over time. Results Mean prior prednisone dose, recent disease activity and immunosuppressant use during follow-up, as well as organ damage score at cohort entry, were significant independent predictors of the risk of developing any new organ damage. Even after adjustment for recent disease activity, there was a dose-response relationship across the different levels of exposure to prednisone during follow-up and the risk of developing any new organ damage. The risk more than doubled in patients exposed to a mean prior prednisone dose of ≥20 mg/day versus <7.5 mg/day (HR=2.514, p<0.001). It was estimated that a 1 mg/day increase in prior prednisone dose during follow-up was associated with a 2.8% increase in the risk of developing new organ damage. For individual organ systems, exposure to a mean prior prednisone dose of ≥7.5 mg/day versus <7.5 mg/day significantly increased the risk of developing cataracts (HR=2.41, p<0.001), osteoporotic fractures (HR=2.16, p<0.001) and cardiovascular damage (HR=1.54, p=0.041), but showed no significant difference for renal damage (HR=1.44, p=0.163) or for other individual organ systems. Conclusions Organ damage in SLE is multifactorial; corticosteroid treatment and disease activity play a role.
Relation between Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Number in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus and Depressive State in Alzheimer’s Disease

Background/Aims: Depression occurs in 20–50% of the Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. It is not known whether depression in AD shares its pathophysiology with depressive disorder. Previously we found a fourfold increase of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in depression. The objective of the present study was to find out whether in depression in AD the same phenomenon of an increased number of CRH-IR neurons could be observed. Methods: Post-mortem brain tissue was obtained from a cohort of 23 AD patients prospectively studied using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia to measure depressive symptoms. The number of CRH-IR neurons was determined using immunocytochemistry and the Image Pro Plus analysis program. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between the Cornell scores and the number of CRH-IR neurons (p = 0.039) in AD patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that depressive disorder and depression in AD share, at least partly, their pathophysiology.
Comment on “Remote Physical Device Fingerprinting”

In this paper we revisited a method to identify computers by their clocks skew computed from TCP timestamps. We introduced our own tool to compute clock skew of computers in a network. We validated that the original method is suitable for the computer identification but we also discovered that Linux hosts running NTP had become immune to the identification.
Effects of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene on dna adduct formation and arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in human bladder tumour cells

In this study, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were used to determine the inhibition of arylamine N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and DNA adduct formation in human bladder tumour cell line T‐24. The activity of NAT was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography, assaying for the amounts of N‐acetyl‐2‐aminofluorene and N‐acetyl‐p‐aminobenzoic acid and remaining 2‐aminofluorene and p‐aminobenzoic acid. Human bladder tumour cell line T‐24 cytosols and intact cells were used for examining NAT activity and carcinogen–DNA adduct formation. The results demonstrated that NAT activity and 2‐aminofluorene–DNA adduct formation in human bladder tumour cells were inhibited and decreased by BHA and BHT in a dose‐dependent manner. The effects of BHA and BHT on the values of the apparent Km and Vmax also were determined in both systems examined. The results indicated that BHA and BHT decreased the apparent values of Km and Vmax from human bladder tumour cells in both cytosol and intact cells. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth-associated protein 43 is up-regulated in the ganglion cells of the ischemic rat retina

We investigated the expression and cellular localization of growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 in the rat retina following ischemia induced by transiently increased intraocular pressure. In the normal retina, GAP-43 immunoreactivity was restricted to profiles in the inner plexiform layer. Following ischemia and reperfusion, immunoreactivity appeared in ganglion cells. The cell density of labeled ganglion cells peaked three days post-lesion and then decreased at seven days. Quantitative evaluation by immunoblotting confirmed that GAP-43 expression increased at three days (to 190% of control levels) and then slightly decreased at seven days. Our findings suggest that some ganglion cells have the potential to regenerate through the up-regulation of GAP-43 in the ischemic rat retina.
Isotropic non-white matter partial volume effects in constrained spherical deconvolution

Diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging method, which can be used to investigate neural tracts in the white matter (WM) of the brain. Significant partial volume effects (PVEs) are present in the DW signal due to relatively large voxel sizes. These PVEs can be caused by both non-WM tissue, such as gray matter (GM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and by multiple non-parallel WM fiber populations. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) methods have been developed to correctly characterize complex WM fiber configurations, but to date, many of the HARDI methods do not account for non-WM PVEs. In this work, we investigated the isotropic PVEs caused by non-WM tissue in WM voxels on fiber orientations extracted with constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD). Experiments were performed on simulated and real DW-MRI data. In particular, simulations were performed to demonstrate the effects of varying the diffusion weightings, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), fiber configurations, and tissue fractions. Our results show that the presence of non-WM tissue signal causes a decrease in the precision of the detected fiber orientations and an increase in the detection of false peaks in CSD. We estimated 35–50% of WM voxels to be affected by non-WM PVEs. For HARDI sequences, which typically have a relatively high degree of diffusion weighting, these adverse effects are most pronounced in voxels with GM PVEs. The non-WM PVEs become severe with 50% GM volume for maximum spherical harmonics orders of 8 and below, and already with 25% GM volume for higher orders. In addition, a low diffusion weighting or SNR increases the effects. The non-WM PVEs may cause problems in connectomics, where reliable fiber tracking at the WM–GM interface is especially important. We suggest acquiring data with high diffusion-weighting 2500–3000 s/mm2, reasonable SNR (~30) and using lower SH orders in GM contaminated regions to minimize the non-WM PVEs in CSD.