Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Familial Hyperaldosteronism Type 1 in a Hypertensive Pediatric Population: Clinical and Biochemical Presentation

Familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder attributed to a chimeric CYP11B1/CYP11B2 gene (CG). Its prevalence and manifestation in the pediatric population has not been established. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 in Chilean hypertensive children and to describe their clinical and biochemical characteristics. We studied 130 untreated hypertensive children (4 to 16 years old). Blood samples for measuring plasma potassium, serum aldosterone, plasma renin activity, aldosterone/renin ratio, and DNA were collected. The detection of CG was performed using long-extension PCR. We found 4 (3.08%) of 130 children with CG who belonged to 4 unrelated families. The 4 patients with CG had very high aldosterone/renin ratio (49 to 242). In addition, we found 4 children and 5 adults who were affected among 21 first-degree relatives. Of the 8 affected children, 6 presented severe hypertension, 1 presented prehypertension, and 1 presented normotension. High serum aldosterone levels (>17.7 ng/dL) were detected in 6 of 8 subjects (range: 18.6 to 48.4 ng/dL) and suppressed plasma renin activity (⩽0.5 ng/mL per hour) and high aldosterone/renin ratio (>10) in 8 of 8 children (range: 49 to 242). Hypokalemia was observed in only 1 of 8 children. We demonstrated that the prevalence of familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 in a pediatric hypertensive pediatric population was surprisingly high. We found a high variability in the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the affected patients, which suggests that familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 is a heterogeneous disease with a wide spectrum of presentations even within the same family group.
Evaluation of Neuropsychological Domain Scores and Postural Stability Following Cerebral Concussion in Sports

ContextWith increasing knowledge and research about concussion, there have been few objective studies that have used neuropsychological domain scores and postural stability to assess concussion. ObjectiveTo evaluate the recovery curve of athletes who incur sport-related concussion from repeated serial testing of neuropsychological and posturography testing. DesignA prospective epidemiological model was used for the course of the study. SettingDivision I intercollegiate athletics. ParticipantsAthletes participating in football, soccer, basketball, softball, and cheerleading. Main Outcome MeasuresNeuropsychological scores and posturography measures were obtained preseason and serially at day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 10 postconcussion. Control participants were tested at the same intervals. Neuropsychological scores were converted to standards score and then into domains of attention, learning, speed of information processing, concentration, memory, and verbal fluency. Analysis of covariance with the baseline test as the covariate was used to analyze the data with univariate post hoc tests performed. ResultsSignificant group differences were found for self reported symptoms (P = 0.001), speed of information processing (P = 0.005), mean stability (P = 0.002), and vestibular function (P = 0.003) between injured and control participants. A group, by day, planned comparison found that speed of information processing and composite balance measures demonstrated significant differences through day 10 postinjury, while symptoms and the vestibular ratio remained significant only through day 3. ConclusionsThe concussion recovery curve demonstrated short-term neuropsychological and posturography deficits following injury. A comprehensive approach to concussion management should be used to assess the injury and make return-to-play decisions.
of Information , Communication and Ethics in Society Sharing personal genetic information : the impact of privacy concern and awareness of benefit

Sharing personal genetic information: the impact of privacy concern and awareness of benefit Don Heath Ali Ardestani Hamid Nemati Article information: To cite this document: Don Heath Ali Ardestani Hamid Nemati , (2016),"Sharing personal genetic information: the impact of privacy concern and awareness of benefit", Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Vol. 14 Iss 3 pp. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.1108/JICES-07-2015-0025
G9A performs important roles in the progression of breast cancer through upregulating its targets

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of malignancy in females worldwide, however, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms behind the development and progression of BC and identify potential biomarkers for it. The chromatin immunoprecipitation-DNA sequencing (ChIP-Seq) dataset GSM1642516 and gene expression dataset GSE34925 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Affy and oligo packages were used for the background correction and normalization of the gene expression dataset. Based on Limma package and the criteria of a fold change >1.41 or <0.71, and a false discovery rate adjusted P-value <0.05, differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) in euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (G9A) -knockout (KO) breast samples compared with control samples were identified. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Analysis was used for the functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs. Bowtie 2 and model-based analysis of ChIP-Seq version 14 (macs14) were used for the mapping of raw reads and the identification of G9A binding sites (peaks), respectively. In addition, overlapping genes between the DEGs and genes in the peaks located in −3000 to 3000 bp centered in the transcription start sites (conpeaks) were screened out and microRNAs (miRNAs) believed to regulate those overlaps were identified through the TargetScan database. A total of 217 DEGs were identified in G9A-KO samples, which were mainly involved in the biological processes and pathways associated with the inflammatory response and cancer progression. A total of 10,422 peaks, containing 1,210 conpeaks involving 1,138 genes, were identified. Among the 1,138 genes, 15 were overlapped with the DEGs, and 35 miRNAs were identified to regulate those overlaps. Insulin-induced gene 1 was regulated by 9 genes in the miRNA-gene regulation network, which may indicate its importance in the progression of BC. The present study identified potential biomarkers of BC that may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with the disease.
Inactivation of Biologically Active (“Endotoxic”) Polysaccharides by Fresh Human Serum

Summary Insofar as they have been examined, all the endotoxic properties of polysaccharides, irrespective of their source (viz., bacterial, plant or mammalian), were annulled on incubation with fresh human serum but not with heated serum. Moreover, this action of fresh serum was independent of antibody, of complement, and of properdin.
Intensive care medicine--a review.

Care of the critically ill patient has considerably changed over the last decades with advances in ventilatory support, antimicrobial therapy, inotropic drugs and improved renal support. The survival, however, of patients presenting with major trauma or sepsis and developing the syndrome of multiple organ failure (MOF) remains poor, although this may partially be due to more severely ill patients being admitted to the intensive therapy unit (ITU). In its final stages, shock, regardless of its primary pathogenesis, results in a picture of diffuse end-organ damage, coagulopathy, metabolic acidosis and hypotension. 'Septic shock', so called, is the commonest form of shock seen in hospitalized patients, and is the type of shock most studied in terms of pathogenetic mechanisms.
Energy-efficient Self Reconfigurable Clustering Approach for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Self Reconfigurable Clustering (Re-Clustering) mechanism is very useful and emerging technique whenever the cluster head failure occurs in the network due to limited battery power, low radio transmission range, minimum memory speed. The energy compulsion of each sensor node directly affects the scalability, efficiency and lifetime of a sensor network. In heterogeneous wireless sensor network, each node is having different amount of energy. This paper mainly focuses on Reclustering in heterogeneous wireless sensor network for maintain the load balance and data aggregation . The proposed protocol mainly focus on the key parameters of the sensor nodes which are prolong the network lifetime such as average residual energy of the each cluster head in order to increase the network lifetime, energy dissipation of the sensor nodes.
Real-time NIR imaging of Palm Dorsa subcutaneous vein pattern based biometrics: An SRC based approach

With the advancement in biometric recognition techniques, Palm Dorsa Subcutaneous Vein Pattern (PDSVP) [1] has emerged as a reliable and promising physiological biometric feature. Consequently, PDSVP has been extensively used as a biometric feature in recent research works on biometrics. However, the procedure of automatic data acquisition and PDSVP extraction is quite challenging. This article shows how this problem can be addressed in practice where a real life biometric identification system has been developed utilising near infrared (NIR) imaging of PDSVP of humans, where no fixed setup is employed for data acquisition. We highlight, in this article, three key ideas: automatic data acquisition, PDSVP extraction and, subsequently, biometric person identification using sparse representation based classification. Finally, we highlight the research challenges associated with implementing a Biometric Identification System (BIS) using PDSVP as a physiological feature.
Joint MMSE Transceiver Designs for MIMO AF Relaying Systems With Direct Link

In this paper, we provide minimum mean-squared error-based source-relay-destination transceiver designs for multiple-input multiple-output amplify-and-forward relaying systems, where direct link between the source and the destination is non-negligible. In an earlier work, a local optimal technique was introduced which employs a projected gradient method and an interior point method. Since these methods may have quite high computational complexity, we investigate a new local optimal solution for the source-relay-destination transceiver which has low complexity. To this end, we first introduce the optimal closed-form solution for the relay transceiver for given source and destination filters. Then, for given relay and destination transceivers, the optimal source precoder design is derived, which requires only 1-D bisection search. Based on these solutions, we propose a joint optimization algorithm which iteratively finds a local optimal solution. Also, we introduce a simple non-iterative algorithm which computes filters in closed-forms with low complexity. Furthermore, since perfect channel knowledge may not be feasible in practical systems, a joint transceiver technique which is robust to channel uncertainties is provided. It is confirmed by simulation results that the proposed schemes outperform conventional techniques with significantly reduced complexity.
Moral judgment of close relationship behaviors

Two studies with a college student (n = 287) and an Internet volunteer sample (n = 795) assessed moral judgments for norm violations in close relationships. We developed a 31-item questionnaire that assessed participants’ moral judgments of potential norm violations in relationships, including sexual threats (e.g., watching others masturbate), emotional threats (e.g., keeping romantic memorabilia from past relationships), friendship boundaries (e.g., dating a best friend’s ex-partner), digital infidelity (e.g., sexting), and privacy violations (e.g., looking through a partner’s belongings). In addition, we assessed general moral concerns, attachment style, and sociosexuality. Results showed that concerns about purity/degradation predicted harsher moral judgments for most types of violations, even when controlling for other moral concerns. Attachment-related avoidance predicted greater permissiveness toward emotional threats, digital infidelity, and friendship boundaries but harsher judgments for privacy violations, whereas attachment anxiety predicted the opposite pattern. Sociosexuality predicted greater permissiveness toward sexual behaviors. Female participants judged most behaviors more harshly than did males. We interpret findings within the frameworks of Attachment Theory and Moral Foundations Theory.
Association of Microtubules with Membrane Skeletal Proteins

Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) have previously been identified as proteins that coassembled with tubulin in vitro with or without the help of taxol. '** There is a risk that MAPs that link to other structural elements may remain associated with parts of the cell that do not disassemble along with the microtubules on cooling or extraction, and be lost in the preliminary centrifugation before in vitro reassembly is attempted. We have therefore examined methods for isolation of the original cellular microtubules by stabilization instead of by reassembly. Glycerol (6.7 M ) was used as a stabilizing medium, and appears to limit the rate of subunit e~change . ~ The microtubules thus isolated can be purified by density gradient methods. Stabilized microtubules analyzed on gels showed additional bands not present in reassembled preparations. One of these bands was identified as actin and a pair of bands at 235 and 240 kD as the membrane associated protein, f ~ d r i n . ~
Cross-layer issues and forward error correction for wireless video broadcast

In this paper different means for adding reliability in different protocol layers are discussed, in order to reliably broadcast multimedia data within existing wireless networks. In particular, we investigate the performance of additional forward error correction in the physical layer, the radio link control layer, and the RTP layer for multimedia broadcast and multicast services over GERAN systems. Advantages and drawbacks when applying means for reliability in different layers are shown. We introduce a simple receiver modification, referred to as permeable-layer receiver (PLR), which exploits traditionally useless information at the receiver, while the transmitter is kept unchanged. Significant performance gains are reported. Finally, the application to H.264/AVC based wireless video broadcast is discussed and the performance of different system designs for video transmission is shown
Large-scale simulation of replica placement algorithms for a serverless distributed file system

Farsite is a scalable, distributed file system that logically functions as a centralized file server but that is physically implemented on a set of client desktop computers. Farsite provides high degrees of reliability and availability by storing replicas of files on multiple machines. Replicas are placed to maximize the effective system availability, using a distributed, iterative, randomized placement algorithm. We perform a large-scale simulation of three candidate algorithms using machine availability data collected from over 50,000 desktop computers. We find that algorithmic efficiency and placement efficacy run counter to each other. We fit analytic functions to the improvement rates and provide explanations for the fitted curves. We explore the algorithms' properties through study of their dynamic behavior. We visualize algorithmic placements and compare them to theoretical worst cases. We quantify the degree of machine failure correlation and develop a formula to approximate its effect.
Accretion of ferromanganese nodules that form pavement in Second Connecticut Lake, New Hampshire

We discovered ferromanganese nodules that measure up to 46 cm in diameter with stromatolitic growth patterns in the western central near-shore portion of Second Connecticut Lake, Pittsburg, New Hampshire. They occur as four distinct morphotypes: irregular laminated convex plates that form concentric rings around a nucleating center (“domed-plate”), continuous pustular pavements that extend >10 m2 (“pustular”), nonlaminated and nonnucleated masses with pebbles scattered throughout the matrix (“lattice”), and small nonnucleated laminated structures >2 cm (“cup”) in water depths between 5 and 12 m. An estimated growth rate of 26 mm/100 years was determined from oxide deposits on datable debris. X-ray fluorescence showed an elemental composition comparable with that of nodule structures in other lakes. These sedimentary structures, the first seen in any of the six New England states, are the most morphologically distinct and varied lacustrine ferromanganese nodules known so far.
Transforming enterprise communications through the blending of social networking and unified communications

The blending of the emerging technology of social networking with unified communications has the potential to radically change how enterprise employees communicate. Enterprise social networking applications help employees build organizational collective wisdom and work more effectively by discovering implied relationships through shared social data. Unified communications applications provide suites of real time and non-real time communication enablers like click-to-call, click-to-IM, presence, and voice mail. Blending these two technologies permits text/audio/video conversations to be treated as social objects whose data and metadata can be stored, searched, tagged, and followed in social networking applications, just like other social objects such as people. In turn, exposing social data about conversations enables innovative new capabilities like recommending conversations for someone to participate in based on inferred interests, or finding and contacting an expert based on knowledge about conversations in the social network. This paper describes People & Projects, an experimental application used in Alcatel-Lucent to investigate advances in enterprise social networking. It also outlines early work on the integration of social networking and unified communications.
Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor α in Spinal Motoneurons is Regulated by Gonadal Hormones

Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor α (CNTFRα) is the ligand-binding component of the CNTF receptor. CNTFRα expression is essential for the normal development of spinal motoneurons and is required for the development of a sex difference in motoneuron number in androgen-sensitive perineal motoneurons. We used immunocytochemistry to examine the expression and hormone regulation of CNTFRα protein in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB), dorsolateral nucleus and retrodorsolateral nucleus of the lower lumbar spinal cord of adult rats. CNTFRα immunoreactivity (CNTFRα-IR) was observed in the somata and dendrites of virtually all motoneurons. In all three motor pools, the intensity of motoneuron soma labeling was greatest among gonadally intact males and was reduced in females and gonadectomized males. The density of CNTFRα-IR in neuropil also tended to be highest in intact males. Short-term (2 d) testosterone propionate treatment reversed the decline in the density of soma labeling in the SNB of castrated males but did not reverse any other effects of castration. Long-term hormone treatment, achieved by implanting males with testosterone capsules at the time of gonadectomy, prevented the decline in soma labeling in all motor pools and partially prevented the decline in neuropil label caused by castration. We conclude that expression of CNTFRα protein is androgen-regulated in spinal motoneurons.
Eﬄux-mediated resistance to a benzothiadiazol derivative effective against Burkholderia cenocepacia

Burkholderia cenocepacia is a major concern for people suffering from cystic fibrosis as it contributes to serious respiratory tract infections. The lack of drugs effective against this opportunistic pathogen, along with the high level of resistance to multiple antibiotics, render the treatment of these infections particularly difficult. Here a new compound, belonging to the 2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-5-yl family (10126109), with a bactericidal effect and a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 μg/ml against B. cenocepacia, is described. The compound is not cytotoxic and effective against B. cenocepacia clinical isolates and members of all the known B. cepacia complex species. Spontaneous mutants resistant to 10126109 were isolated and mutations in the MerR transcriptional regulator BCAM1948 were identified. In this way, a mechanism of resistance to this new molecule was described, which relies on the overexpression of the RND-9 eﬄux pump. Indeed, rnd-9 overexpression was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and RND-9 was identified in the membrane fractions of the mutant strains. Moreover, the increase in the MIC values of different drugs in the mutant strains, together with complementation experiments, suggested the involvement of RND-9 in the eﬄux of 10126109, thus indicating again the central role of eﬄux transporters in B. cenocepacia drug resistance.
A compact multiple slot microstrip antenna for modern mobile communications

In this paper, analysis of a compact triple band microstrip antenna based on principle of etching slots in the radiating patch to produce desired resonance frequency is discussed. The proposed triband microstrip patch antenna achieved resonances at 3.6GHz, 5.6GHz and 7.9GHz. The miniaturization of the designed triband microstrip antenna is achieved with the introduction of slots in the radiating patch as well as the ground plane, which helps in notching the unwanted bands. In this antenna, two L-shaped slots and a modified M-shaped slot is introduced in the radiating patch. In addition to this two more slots are etched in the ground layer to achieve resonance at required application frequencies. A 50Ω impedance transmission line is introduced in the structure for achieving proper impedance matching. FR4 epoxy resin is used for the substrate because of its rigid structure and lossy nature which enhances radiation effects. The proposed antenna achieved a return loss of less of −10dB at resonant frequencies of 3.5GHz, 5.5GHz and 7.5GHz both in simulation and measured results. The measured VSWR of the proposed antenna is below 2 and the gain is 0.826dB.
Realizing Real Commercial Benefit from Workflow : A Report from the Trenches

The AllDay Financial Services Group has the stated business goal of being able to sell any of its products, at any time of the day or night, in any place, and through any available channel to market. In this paper, we outline the business benefits this Group has obtained from the deployment of current workflow technology and short comings of the technology that are preventing the Group from completely satisfying its business goal. We then set out the research issues raised by this experience and discuss how emerging AI technologies could be exploited in satisfying them. The AI technologies discussed include information-gathering planning, general planning, and scheduling. We conclude by encouraging the formation of partnerships between workflow users, workflow vendors and AI researchers. Such partnerships will give researchers access to real problems that can be used to demonstrate the scalability of their work and provide evidence that will encourage vendors and users to exploit the technologies. The feed back will also guide researchers on where further research should be focused.