Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Plasma and Endothelial Cell Expression of Chemokines and Adhesion Molecules in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chemokines and adhesion molecules are involved in early events of atherogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the uremic milieu on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and their relationship to cardiovascular status. Plasma samples were obtained from patients in different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cardiovascular status was evaluated by intima-media thickness and endothelial dysfunction by flow mediation dilatation and proteinuria. In vitro studies were performed using human umbilical endothelial cells exposed to uremic plasma or plasma from healthy subjects. MCP-1, IL-8, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels in plasma and in supernatant were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The population consisted of 73 (mean age 57 years; 48% males) CKD patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 37 ± 2 ml/min. MCP-1 and sVCAM-1 plasma levels were negatively correlated with GFR (ρ = –0.40, p < 0.0005 and ρ = –0.42, p < 0.0005, respectively). Fibrinogen was positively correlated with MCP-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 (ρ = 0.33, p < 0.005, ρ = 0.32, p < 0.05 and ρ = 0.25, p < 0.05, respectively) and ultra-high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was positively correlated with sICAM-1 (ρ = 0.25, p < 0.0005). Plasma IL-8 had a significant positive correlation with proteinuria (ρ = 0.31, p < 0.01). There was a time- and CKD-stage-dependent MCP-1, IL-8 and sVCAM-1 endothelial expression (p < 0.05). In summary, plasma levels of markers of endothelial cell activation (MCP-1 and sVCAM-1) are increased in more advanced CKD. Exposure of endothelial cells to uremic plasma results in a time- and CKD-stage-dependent increased expression of MCP-1, IL-8 and sVCAM-1, suggesting a link between vascular activation, systemic inflammation and uremic toxicity. Future studies are necessary to investigate whether these biomarkers add predictive value in comparison to the previously described ones. Also, endothelial response to uremic toxicity should be viewed as a potential target for intervention in order to reduce morbidity and mortality in CKD-related cardiovascular disease.
Uncovering Causality from Multivariate Hawkes Integrated Cumulants

We design a new nonparametric method that allows one to estimate the matrix of integrated kernels of a multivariate Hawkes process. This matrix not only encodes the mutual influences of each nodes of the process, but also disentangles the causality relationships between them. Our approach is the first that leads to an estimation of this matrix without any parametric modeling and estimation of the kernels themselves. A consequence is that it can give an estimation of causality relationships between nodes (or users), based on their activity timestamps (on a social network for instance), without knowing or estimating the shape of the activities lifetime. For that purpose, we introduce a moment matching method that fits the third-order integrated cumulants of the process. We show on numerical experiments that our approach is indeed very robust to the shape of the kernels, and gives appealing results on the MemeTracker database.
Communication Complexity: A New Approach to Circuit Depth

"Communication Complexity "describes a new intuitive model for studying circuit networks that captures the essence of circuit depth. Although the complexity of boolean functions has been studied for almost 4 decades, the main problems the inability to show a separation of any two classes, or to obtain nontrivial lower bounds remain unsolved. The communication complexity approach provides clues as to where to took for the heart of complexity and also sheds light on how to get around the difficulty of proving lower bounds.Karchmer's approach looks at a computation device as one that separates the words of a language from the non-words. It views computation in a top down fashion, making explicit the idea that flow of information is a crucial term for understanding computation. Within this new setting, "Communication Complexity "gives simpler proofs to old results and demonstrates the usefulness of the approach by presenting a depth lower bound for "st"-connectivity. Karchmer concludes by proposing open problems which point toward proving a general depth lower bound.Mauricio Karchmer received his doctorate from Hebrew University and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto. Communication Complexity received the 1988 ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award.
The complexity of computing Kronecker coefficients

Kronecker coefficients are the multiplicities in the tensor product decomposition of two irreducible representations of the symmetric group $S_n$. They can also be interpreted as the coefficients of the expansion of the internal product of two Schur polynomials in the basis of Schur polynomials. We show that the problem $\mathrm{KRONCOEFF}$ of computing Kronecker coefficients is very difficult. More specifically, we prove that $\mathrm{KRONCOEFF}$ is #$\mathrm{P}$-hard and contained in the complexity class $\mathrm{GapP}$. Formally, this means that the existence of a polynomial time algorithm for $\mathrm{KRONCOEFF}$ is equivalent to the existence of a polynomial time algorithm for evaluating permanents.
SUSTAINABLE CONCRETES - THROUGH REDUCING THE WATER ABSORPTIVITY TO IMPROVED DURABILITY

Water absorptivity (WA) is one of the crucial parameters affecting the penetration of aggressive ions when concrete material is exposed to an aggressive environment and is closely linked with a depth of penetration of water under pressure into the concrete. Concrete used for prefabricated elements and structures as cesspits, manholes, pipe lines or parts of the wastewater treatment plants, has to meet a requirement for maximum water absorptivity of 6.0 wt. % in accordance with national and international standards. The article deals with a study of concretes´ water absorptivity of the pre-cast products for environmental purpose, where the exposure class XA (chemical attack) is required. The research is focused on reducing WA by using various modification of standard mix design (Portland cement, water, fine and coarse aggregate, plasticizer), e.g. by using different cement types, cementous supplementary additives, admixtures, finest aggregate particles or by reducing water/binder ratio. The concretes of various mix design modifications were compared with a reference concrete in relation to the standard. The economical and environmental aspects were also taken into consideration. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017. 018
Blunt chest trauma

* See Last Page for Key 2013 Original Chung/Cox Page 1 Reference Study Type Patients/ Events Study Objective (Purpose of Study) Study Results Study Quality 1. Karmy-Jones R, Jurkovich GJ, Nathens AB, et al. Timing of urgent thoracotomy for hemorrhage after trauma: a multicenter study. Arch Surg 2001; 136(5):513-518. ObservationalTx 157 patients Study hypothesized that it is possible to quantify an amount of thoracic hemorrhage, after blunt and penetrating injury, at which delay of thoracotomy is associated with increased mortality. Mortality correlated with mean (+/SD) Injury Severity Score (38 +/19 vs 22 +/12.6 for survivors; P<.01) and mechanism (24 [67%] for blunt vs 21 [17%] for penetrating injuries; P<.01). Mortality increased as total chest blood loss increased, with the risk for death at blood loss of 1500 mL being 3 times greater than at 500 mL. Blunt-injured patients waited a significantly longer time to thoracotomy than penetrating-injured patients (4.4 +/9.0 h vs 1.6 +/3.0 h; P=.02) and also had a greater total chest tube output before thoracotomy (2220 +/1235 mL vs 1438 +/747 mL; P=.001). 2
A Link Grammar and Semantic Corpus Based Sentence Similarity Measure

A novel sentence similarity measure that based on grammar and semantic corpus is presented. The well-known problem in the field of semantic processing, such as natural language processing, QA systems, expert systems, search engines, etc., is trying to evaluate the semantic similarity between sentences or articles. The major challenge is to evaluate the similarity of sentence-vs.-sentence since the embedded information is very rare. This paper takes advantage of corpus-based ontology and the concept of grammar to overcome this problem. The WordNet ontology and the Link Grammar parser are adopted in this measure. The experimental results demonstrate that the measure has outstanding performance in handling sentences with arbitrary syntax and structure.
Channel estimation using time-shifted pilot sequences in non-cooperative cellular TDD networks with large antenna arrays

Inter-cell interference is a challenging issue in noncooperative time-division duplex (TDD) cellular systems with large antenna arrays. Such a problem arises when pilot sequences received by a base station (BTS) are contaminated by users in adjacent cells transmitting the same training sequences. In [7], Fernandes, Ashikhmin and Marzetta proposed a time-shifted scheme in which the transmission of pilots is shifted in time from one cell to the next, avoiding overlap, thus completely cancelling interference from inter-cell users in their asymptotic analysis. However, a specific question was raised by the authors: Can a BTS obtain an accurate estimate of the channel vector in the presence of strong downlink signals from adjacent cells? In this paper we answer positively to this inquiry. In order to do this, firstly, we propose a modification to the proposed scheme in [7] in order to implement a robust estimation technique which uses both the pilot sequence as well as the uplink information to obtain the desired channel coefficients. Secondly, we assess the sensitivity of the system to the received downlink signals of the interferers and to the length of the training sequence.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience Cellular Neuroscience Perspective Article Methods to Characterize Conductance Fluctuations

Contreras, 2005). Such conductances are usually decomposed from current–voltage relations, into excitatory and inhibitory components , and it was shown that the temporal interplay of excitation and inhibition is determinant to explain the responses of cortical neurons to sensory inputs as well as their selectivity to features such as orientation or direction (Monier et al. In parallel to these investigations, it was also shown that the desynchronized and irregular activity of cortical networks is characterized by a balance of excitation and inhibition. In such " balanced states " , it is not the absolute conductances that determine the spiking activity, but it is the fl uctuations of these conduct-ances (van Vreeswijk and Sompolinsky, 1996; Brunel, 2000). In such fl uctuations-driven states, it is thus important to characterize the fl uctuations of excitation and inhibition rather than their absolute (or mean) values. Unfortunately, this aspect remains under-characterized in part because of the lack of appropriate methods to characterize conductance fl uctuations. In the present paper, we focus on the measurement and consequences of conductance fl uctuations, and in particular for inhibition. We fi rst review techniques to measure conductance fl uctuations and the values measured from intracellular recordings in vivo. Next, using models and dynamic-clamp experiments, we show that fl uctuations of inhibition can be particularly impactful on evoking spikes. We fi nish by providing evidence that, indeed, this " inhibitory noise " is determinant in awake animals. In contrast to the measurement of mean conductances, for which several methods are possible and were used to measure conduct-ances from experimental data (see Introduction for overview), few
Advocacy for eye care

The effectiveness of eye care service delivery is often dependant on how the different stakeholders are aligned. These stakeholders range from the ministries of health who have the capacity to grant government subsidies for eye care, down to the primary healthcare workers who can be enrolled to screen for basic eye diseases. Advocacy is a tool that can help service providers draw the attention of key stakeholders to a particular area of concern. By enlisting the support, endorsement and participation of a wider circle of players, advocacy can help to improve the penetration and effectiveness of the services provided. There are several factors in the external environmental that influence the eye care services – such as the availability of trained manpower, supply of eye care consumables, government rules and regulations. There are several instances where successful advocacy has helped to create an enabling environment for eye care service delivery. Providing eye care services in developing countries requires the support – either for direct patient care or for support services such as producing trained manpower or for research and dissemination. Such support, in the form of financial or other resources, can be garnered through advocacy.
Developing a strategy for expert system verification and validation

Research and practice has produced numerous methods for expert system verification and validation (V&V) that augment traditional software and systems approaches to V&V. This paper shows how to develop a strategy for expert system V&V. A strategy for V&V has three components: 1) the criteria by which an expert system will be judged as valid, 2) a life cycle model that specifies what V&V can be done when, and 3) the constraints (and opportunities) imposed by the characteristics of the system being developed. Starting with a development methodology, we shown how to map V&V methods onto the software life cycle and then match V&V methods to system characteristics. We give an example of our approach to developing a V&V strategy in the context of an expert system development project. >
Cholera Dynamics and El Niño – Southern Oscillation

clicking here colleagues, clients, or customers by , you can order high-quality copies for your If you wish to distribute this article to others . here following the guidelines can be obtained by Permission to republish or repurpose articles or portions of articles (this information is current as of August 2, 2010 ): The following resources related to this article are available online at www.sciencemag. org http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/289/5485/1766 version of this article at: including high-resolution figures, can be found in the online Updated information and services, http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/289/5485/1766#otherarticles , 3 of which can be accessed for free: cites 19 articles This article 143 article(s) on the ISI Web of Science. cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/289/5485/1766#otherarticles 27 articles hosted by HighWire Press; see: cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/collection/medicine Medicine, Diseases : subject collections This article appears in the following
Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: results of a phase II study.

PURPOSE Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an aggressive subtype of T-cell lymphoma characterized by the uniform expression of CD30. The antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin delivers the potent antimicrotubule agent monomethylauristatin E to CD30-positive malignant cells. A phase II multicenter trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with systemic ALCL and recurrent disease after at least one prior therapy received brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks over 30 minutes as an outpatient infusion. The primary end point of the study was overall objective response rate as assessed by independent central review. RESULTS Of 58 patients treated in the study, 50 patients (86%) achieved an objective response, 33 patients (57%) achieved a complete remission (CR), and 17 patients (29%) achieved a partial remission. The median durations of overall response and CR were 12.6 and 13.2 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events in ≥ 10% of patients were neutropenia (21%), thrombocytopenia (14%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (12%). CONCLUSION Brentuximab vedotin induced objective responses in the majority of patients and CRs in more than half of patients with recurrent systemic ALCL. Targeted therapy with this CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate may be an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL and warrants further studies in front-line therapy.
The Ultraluminous State

Although a great deal of progress has been made towards understanding the nature of ultraluminous X‐ray sources (ULXs) over the past decade, many basic issues remain to be settled. Chief amongst these is the mass of the accretor in these systems: what proportion of ULXs are powered by accretion onto an intermediate‐mass black hole (IMBH), and how big are these objects? Or can we explain their extraordinary X‐ray luminosities by exotic, extreme accretion rate processes onto more prosaic stellar‐mass black holes? Here we report the results of two new studies using the best available XMM‐Newton observations to probe the astrophysics of ULXs. A systematic study of ULX power spectra shows a significant proportion of luminous objects with unusually suppressed variability compared to standard black hole binaries and AGN. Furthermore, detailed spectral studies confirm that ULX spectra appear unlike any standard accretion state in the XMM‐Newton band pass. Hence we infer that many ULXs contain small black holes op.
Lack of Myocardial Perfusion Immediately After Successful Thrombolysis: A Predictor of Poor Recovery of Left Ventricular Function in Anterior Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundWe investigated myocardial perfusion dynamics after thrombolysis and its clinical implications. Methods and ResultsWe studied 39 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was performed before and immediately after successful reflow with intracoronary injection of sonicated loxaglate. The average segmental score by twodimensional echocardiography (graded 0, normal, to 3, akinetic/dyskinetic) and global ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF%) by left ventriculography were measured at 1 day and at 4 weeks after reflow. Hypokinesis in the infarct region was assessed by the centerline method and expressed in terms of standard deviations (regional wall motion [RWM:SD/chord) of normal. Immediately after reflow, 30 of 39 patients (group A) showed significant contrast enhancement within the risk area. The other nine patients (23%, group B), however, showed the residual contrast defect in the risk area (myocardial no reflow). There were no significant differences in the elapsed time, angiographic collateral grade, and degree of residual stenosis between group A and group B. Before reflow, both groups exhibited similar levels of global and regional left ventricular function. Improvement in global (LVEF, average segmental score) and regional left ventricular function was greater in group A than in group B (average segmental score, 0.44±0.41 versus 0.97±0.36, p < 0.01; LVEF, 56.4± 13.4 versus 42.7±8.9, p < 0.0S; RWM, −1.87±0.85 versus −3.18±0.52, p < O.O05). ConclusionsMCE demonstrates that angiographically successful reflow cannot be used as an indicator of successful myocardial reperfusion in AMI patients. The residual contrast defect in the risk area demonstrated immediately after reflow is a predictor of poor functional recovery of the postischemic myocardium.
Mixing virtual and real scenes in the site of ancient Pompeii

This paper presents an innovative 3D reconstruction of ancient fresco paintings through the real‐time revival of their fauna and flora, featuring groups of virtual animated characters with artificial‐life dramaturgical behaviours in an immersive, fully mobile augmented reality (AR) environment. The main goal is to push the limits of current AR and virtual storytelling technologies and to explore the processes of mixed narrative design of fictional spaces (e.g. fresco paintings) where visitors can experience a high degree of realistic immersion. Based on a captured/real‐time video sequence of the real scene in a video‐see‐through HMD set‐up, these scenes are enhanced by the seamless accurate real‐time registration and 3D rendering of realistic complete simulations of virtual flora and fauna (virtual humans and plants) in a real‐time storytelling scenario‐based environment. Thus the visitor of the ancient site is presented with an immersive and innovative multi‐sensory interactive trip to the past. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self-sensing performance of MWCNT-low density polyethylene nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based polymer nanocomposites offer a range of remarkable properties. Here, we demonstrate self-sensing performance of low density polyethylene (LDPE)-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites for the first time. The dispersion of the CNTs and the morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The thermal properties were measured using thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry and were found to increase with increasing wt% of MWCNTs in LDPE matrix. An overall improvement in ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and Young’s modulus was found to be 59.6%, 48.5% and 129.3%, respectively for 5.0 wt% loading of MWCNTs. The electrical percolation threshold was observed at 1.0 wt% of MWCNTs and the highest electrical conductivity of 2.8 × 10−2 Scm−1 was observed at 5.0 wt% loading of MWCNTs. These piezo-resistive nanocomposites offer tunable self-sensing capabilities with gauge factors in the ranges of 17–52 and 42–530 in linear elastic (strain ∼3%) and inelastic regimes (strain ∼15%) respectively. Our demonstration would provide guidelines for the fabrication of low cost, self-sensing MWCNT-LDPE nanocomposites for potential use as civil water pipelines and landfill membranes.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE COMMUNICATION QUALITY OF MAJOR COLLABORATION TECHNOLOGIES

Managers are responsible to plan and acquire information and communication technologies to support proper functioning of work groups and coordination of business processes. In the current study, we revisit the concept of communication quality and its underlying dimensions, and provide a modified view to the concept. Based on our revised concept of communication quality, we examined the technical properties of a sample of twenty-one major collaboration technologies that have been identified in prior study, and ranked them along the three communication quality dimensions. The a priori logical ranking was then validated through a survey administered on a group of forty-seven experienced practitioners. The validation result has confirmed all three logical ranking of the collaboration technologies. The ranking provides business managers with a taxonomy and validated examples for classifying and selecting appropriate collaboration technologies that optimally support process management.