Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression in Low- and High-Dose-Irradiated Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes: Possible Applications for Biodosimetry

To overcome the limitations of existing biodosimetry methods, we examined dose- and time-dependent gene expression changes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after exposure to low-, medium- and high-dose ionizing radiation and searched for genes suitable for predicting radiation doses in the low-dose range. Additionally, the experiments are intended to provide new insights into the biological effects of exposures to low-, medium- and high-dose radiation. Gene expression analysis using whole human genome DNA microarrays was performed in human blood from six healthy donors irradiated ex vivo with 0, 0.02, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 Gy (γ rays, 137Cs) at 6, 24 and 48 h after high-dose exposure (0.5–4 Gy), and at 24 and 48 h after low-dose exposures of 0.02 or 0.1 Gy. DNA microarray-based alterations in gene expression were found in a wide dose range in vitro and allowed us to identify nine genes with which low radiation doses could be accurately predicted with a sensitivity of 95.6%. In the low-, medium- and high-dose range, expression alterations increased with increasing dose and time after exposure, and were assigned to different biological processes such as nucleosome assembly, apoptosis and DNA repair response. We conclude from our results that gene expression profiles are suitable for predicting low-dose radiation exposure in a rapid and reliable manner and that acute low-dose exposure, as low as 20 mGy, leads to well-defined physiological responses in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
HOST-ASSOCIATED GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION IN PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECTS: GENERAL PHENOMENON OR ISOLATED EXCEPTIONS? EVIDENCE FROM A GOLDENROD-INSECT COMMUNITY

Abstract There is growing awareness of the importance of natural selection in driving genetic divergence and speciation, and several of the most apparent cases of this ecological speciation are provided by the existence of genetically distinct host forms in phytophagous insects. Such examples of host-associated differentiation (HAD) have become increasingly documented, and the implications of this phenomenon for the diversification of insects are becoming widely appreciated. However, instances of HAD remain rare relative to insect diversity and are sparsely distributed both ecologically and taxonomically. We sought to assess the frequency of HAD in a model herbivore community by examining genetic divergence in a variety of herbivores that feed on two closely related and broadly sympatric species of goldenrod (Solidago altissima and S. gigantea). Using mitochondrial DNA and allozyme data, in conjunction with previously published studies, we found that four of nine herbivores exhibited evidence of HAD, including possible host races or cryptic species. Using a range of reasonable substitution rate estimates for cytochrome oxidase I mitochondrial DNA, we found that HAD appears to have proceeded asynchronously across taxa. This pattern, along with the broadly sympatric distribution of host plants and the specialized life histories of the phytophagous insects, is consistent with sympatric divergence in some or all of these taxa. Although further behavioral and ecological study is needed, our survey of HAD in a community of herbivores indicates that ecological (perhaps sympatric) speciation may have been responsible for generating a significant fraction of the extant diversity of phytophagous insects.
The effect of bleomycin on survival and tumor growth in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma.

Summary The response of a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma to bleomycin was studied in vivo. The dose survival curve exhibited upward concavity, suggesting that the initial sensitive portion was of an exponential nature and that approximately 10% of the tumor cells were in an apparently drug-resistant fraction. The tumor growth was inhibited more effectively by fractionated administrations than by a single treatment of the same total dose. This evidence was interpreted by a hypothesis that the resistant fraction was induced by the antibiotic and was reduced during each treatment interval. A mathematical model called “binding-saturation model” was proposed, by which the doseresponse relationship was interpreted without assuming multicomponents in cellular sensitivity. The optimum fractionation regimens in tumor therapy by the antibiotic might be simply obtained by use of the model.
Prevalence and Correlates of Substance Use Among South African Primary Care Clinic Patients

We aimed to assess prevalence and correlates of hazardous use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs in a primary care population in Cape Town, South Africa. Stratified random sampling was used to select 14 of the 49 clinics in the public health sector in Cape Town, and every “nth” patient, with those ages 18–25 oversampled (N = 2,618). Data were collected from December 2003 through 2004, using the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Hazardous use of tobacco was most common, followed by alcohol and then other drugs. Hazardous tobacco use was associated with the 18–25 years age group, no religious involvement, high school completion, and higher stress. Hazardous alcohol use was associated with male gender, younger men, no religious involvement, employment, some high school education, and higher stress. Hazardous use of other drugs was associated with Colored (mixed) race (particularly among men), no religious involvement, employment, and stress. For all substances, women, particularly Black women, had the lowest rates of hazardous use. Although the study is cross-sectional, it does identify groups that may be at high risk of substance misuse and for whom intervention is urgent. Because prevalence of substance use is high in this population, routine screening should be introduced in primary care clinics.
The VIVA project: digital watermarking for broadcast monitoring

The main objective of the VIVA project (Visual Identity Verification Auditor) is to investigate and demonstrate a professional broadcast surveillance system. Broadcast material is pre-encoded with an invisible and unique watermark identifier. By automatically monitoring television broadcasts and registering which assets have been pre-encoded, a mechanism for IPR protection is provided. The applications of such a system include copyright protection and proof of ownership, verification of commercial transmissions, assessment of sponsorship effectiveness, protection against illegal transmission, statistical data collection and analysis of broadcast content. The watermarking technology is optimised for the high picture quality needed in a broadcast environment. At the same time, the watermark survives signal processing operations which routinely occur in broadcasting systems such as digital to analogue conversion, editing and compression. The monitoring system detects a 36-bit payload every second, which guarantees an operation time of more than 13 years, without recourse to repeat identifiers. The detection algorithm has reasonably low complexity, enabling real time watermark detection for many broadcast channels simultaneously. We report on the first results of a field trial, using a satellite link between Sweden and Belgium, proving the feasibility of the system.
An Empirical Exploration of Gradient Correlations in Deep Learning

We introduce the mean and RMS dot product between normalized gradient vectors as tools for investigating the structure of loss functions and the trajectories followed by optimizers. We show that these quantities are sensitive to well-understood properties of the optimization algorithm, and we argue that investigating these quantities in detail can provide insight into properties that are less well understood. Using these tools, we observe that variance in the gradients of the loss function can be mostly explained by a small number of dimensions, and we compare results when training networks within the subspace spanned by the first few gradients to those obtained by training within a randomly chosen subspace.
Applications of game theory to mobile ad hoc networks: Node spreading potential game

Sustaining a complete and accurate information about MANET nodes is often impractical due to dynamic topology, lack of centralized authority, decentralized architecture and heterogeneous nodes in MANETs. Main concerns for MANET performance are power consumption, topology control, spectrum sharing, and localization, all of which are intensified by node mobility. Another inherent characteristic of mobile nodes in MANETs is that they have limited or no cooperation among themselves, and their motivations are often selfish with conflicting individual interests. We present a distributed game for obtaining a uniform node distribution among the MANET nodes over a given geographical territory. We show that our potential game can be an effective mechanism for distributed tasks such as uniform node distribution.
Modulation of gene expression in the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4.

The human leukemic cell line NB4 was derived from a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia and is characterized by a specific 15;17 chromosomal translocation. We analyzed the response of NB4 and HL-60 cells to the biomodulators all-transretinoic acid (ATRA), vitamin D3 (Vit D3) and the protein kinase C agonists bryostatin 1 (Bryo 1) and phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). HL-60 cells were used for comparison being arrested at the myeloblastic-promyelocytic stage, but lacking the t(15;17) abnormality. In most experiments Vit D3 was only weakly or not at all effective. The other three reagents effectively slowed or stopped the proliferation of the cells in suspension. Associated with this proliferation arrest was the cell differentiation along the myeloid cell lineages: ATRA modulated morphological features indicative of granulocytic differentiation; Bryo 1 and TPA caused also distinct morphological changes. The inducers up-regulated the expression of CD11b (without changing the surface expression of other markers, e.g. CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD68, HLA-DR) and completely down-regulated the originally strong expression of myeloperoxidase and c-myc at the mRNA level. Thus, ATRA- or protein kinase C activator-induced differentiation involved changes associated with maturational processes. Induction of terminal differentiation of leukemic cells by physiological or pharmacological modulators may be able to control the growth of the malignant cells and has therapeutic implications.
Detection, Assessment, and Management of Schizophrenia in an Andean Population of South America: Parkinsonism Testing and Transcranial Ultrasound as Preventive Tools.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric illness that is among the world's top 10 causes of long-term disability, affecting people who are just entering the peak of social, economic, and intellectual productivity. Such functional loss is particularly relevant in indigenous communities, which rely on change in functional status (rather than on the presence of symptoms) to identify mental illness. Particularly among the indigenous communities of Latin America, the gap between mental health need and availability of resources to reduce the burden has been judged "a case of outrageous exclusion. " For more than a decade, as part of the Investigation of Movement Abnormalities and Genetic of Schizophrenia study, the authors have been studying vulnerability markers (genetic, motor, imaging, and neuropsychological differences) for schizophrenia in a remote, indigenous population in rural northern Argentina. In this article, the authors discuss the implementation of a task-shifting paradigm resulting in more proficient identification and referral of individuals with untreated psychosis and a severalfold reduction in the duration of untreated psychosis, with very high retention rates (70%) and treatment adherence during a decade in a rural environment. The authors also propose to use transcranial ultrasound screening and testing for parkinsonism at illness onset before introduction of neuroleptics as potentially useful markers in determining illness severity, negative symptomatology, and tolerance to antipsychotic treatment/refractoriness.
Drosophila melanogaster deficient in protein kinase A manifests behavior-specific arrhythmia but normal clock function

Drosophila melanogaster bearing mutations in the DCO gene, which encodes the major catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), displays arrhythmic locomotor activity strongly suggesting a role for PKA in the circadian timing system. This arrhythmicity might result from a requirement for PKA activity in photic resetting pathways, the timekeeping mechanism itself, or downstream effector pathways controlling overt behavioral rhythms. To address these possibilities, we examined the protein and mRNA products from the clock gene period (per) in PKA-deficient flies. The per protein (PER) and mRNA products undergo daily cycles in the heads and bodies of DCO mutants that are indistinguishable from those observed in control wild-type flies. These results indicate that PKA deficiencies affect the proper functioning of elements downstream of the Drosophila timekeeping mechanism. The requirement for PKA in the manifestation of rhythmic activity was preferentially greater in the absence of environmental cycles. However, PKA does not appear to play a universal role in output functions because the clock-controlled eclosion rhythm is normal in DCO mutants. Our results suggest that PKA plays a critical role in the flow of temporal information from circadian pacemaker cells to selective behaviors.
Systemic Risk-Taking Channel of Domestic and Foreign Monetary Policy

The paper investigates the impact of domestic and foreign monetary policy on two systemic risk indicators in Brazil, namely, the Default Correlation and the DebtRank, which summarize, respectively, the joint default probability of financial institutions and the contagion through the interbank market given a default event. Results show that the domestic policy rate has a robust and statistically significant inverse relation with systemic risk, consistent with the risk-taking channel of monetary policy extended here for correlated risks and network externalities. Results are similar for the foreign policy rate, although not statistically significant in the most recent sample, consistent with a lesser role of banks in the transmission of foreign shocks. Results are also similar for reserve requirement rates, but not statistically significant, consistent with its operation on a narrower transmission channel
Improved torpedo range estimation using the fast orthogonal search

A modified torpedo detection algorithm (MTDA) that improves upon the range estimates of an earlier torpedo detection algorithm (TDA) is presented in this work. The original TDA used the fast orthogonal search (FOS) algorithm to estimate the frequency of direct-path and a surface-reflected-path signal emitted by a torpedo. This technique assumed that the torpedo was traveling directly at the receiver and modeled the signals using sinusoidal functions. The range to the torpedo was estimated using the frequency estimates of the direct and reflected path and a trigonometric description of the approaching signals. The TDA was successful at detecting approaching torpedoes but had an average range error of 680 m. The modified torpedo detection addresses these deficiencies by: 1) estimating the angle between the approaching torpedo and the receiver and 2) using chirp signals as the candidates for FOS that model the theoretical direct- and reflected-path signals. In addition, the FOS algorithm is modified to fit the direct and reflected paths in pairs to eliminate the need to iterate the FOS algorithm. Signals of approaching torpedoes were simulated for several initial angles of approach using the generic sonar model (GSM) and waveform transmission through a channel (WATTCH) programs. The average error of the range estimates for sea state (SS0) 0 and 1 for the MTDA were 153 m as compared to 680 m for the TDA. In addition, the MTDA was shown to be resistant to false alarms.
The Effect of Scoliosis Surgery on Lung Function in the Immediate Postoperative Period

Study Design. Prospective, single-cohort study. Objectives. To determine the immediate change in pulmonary function test (PFT) in children following scoliosis surgery Summary of Background Data. The number of pediatric scoliosis surgeries is increasing each year because of recent advances in spinal instrumentation, surgical techniques, and improved perioperative monitoring. Pulmonary function decreases immediately following scoliosis surgery, but the extent of this decrease is not well documented in pediatric patients. To use preoperative PFTs to assess the risk of postoperative complications, knowledge of the postoperative decline in PFT is necessary. Methods. We measured preoperative and daily postoperative PFT in 24 children who had scoliosis surgery (age 12.7 ± 2.7 [SD] years) from January 2002 to June 2003. There were 10 male and 14 female patients. Two (8%) patients had congenital scoliosis, 11 (46%) had idiopathic scoliosis, 9 (38%) had scoliosis due to a neuromuscular disease, and 2 (8%) had kyphoscoliosis. Fifteen (62%) patients had posterior spinal fusion (PSF), 5 (21%) had anterior spinal fusion (ASF), and 4 (17%) had both ASF and PSF performed. PFT parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory rate between 25% and 75% of FVC [FEF25%–75%]) were measured before surgery and daily after surgery by bedside spirometry until hospital discharge. Results. PFT declined up to 60% after surgery. The PFT nadir is at 3 days. PFT values remained significantly decreased at 1 week, with values at about half of preoperative baseline. No patient required postoperative mechanical ventilation ≥3 days. There was no statistical significance between the degree of decline in PFT with etiology of either the scoliosis or the type of surgery performed. Conclusions. Our study found that patients are still at risk for postoperative complications as long as 1 week postoperatively and that PFTs do not return to near baseline until 1 to 2 months after surgery. The postoperative decrease in PFT should be considered during preoperative prediction of postoperative risk.
Capital Tax Competition in the Presence of Rent-Shifting Incentives

The tax competition literature usually specifies competitive product markets, so that the rent-shifting effect is overlooked. By incorporating an duopolistic product market, this paper considers two exporting countries that use capital taxes as devices to promote exports in a two-stage game. We find that when firms compete in terms of quantity, the rent-shifting effect aggravates the under-provision of public goods. However, when firms compete in terms of price, the rent-shifting effect reduces the inefficiency arising from tax competition. Moreover, we show that cooperation between exporting countries enhances the welfare of both countries in a Cournot duopoly, but this is not necessarily true in a Bertrand duopoly.
Role of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic utility of [(18)F]flu-orodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). METHODS In this study, we used strict definitions of presence and absence of the disease and performed all FDG PET scans while the patients were not taking levothyroxine (LT4). We report the results of conventional FDG PET scans obtained during the follow-up of 50 nonselected patients with DTC (34 female and 16 male patients; median age, 40.5 years; range, 18 to 68). All FDG PET scans and measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were performed while the patients were not taking LT4 (thyrotropin>or=25 microIU/mL). Tg antibodies were negative in all patients. The initial surgical procedure was total thyroidectomy in all cases, and 26 patients underwent additional operations (2 to 4 procedures). Radioactive iodine (131I) therapy was given to 48 patients (median dose, 5,550 MBq). In 42 patients, FDG PET was used for evaluation of Tg-positive (Tg>2 ng/mL in the absence of LT4 therapy), scan-negative disease. In 8 patients, Tg was <or=2 ng/mL but other findings suggested the presence of the disease (detectable Tg in 7 cases and abnormal ultrasound findings in 3). Disease was considered present if confirmed by fine-needle aspiration, histopathologic examination of subsequent surgical specimens, or persistent elevation of Tg levels (>2 ng/mL without LT4 therapy) for >1 year. Disease was considered absent if Tg was <or=2 ng/mL and at least all the following imaging studies were negative: diagnostic radioiodine whole-body scan, chest radiography or spiral computed tomography of the chest, and high-resolution neck ultrasonography. If all these criteria were present, a positive FDG PET scan was considered a false-positive study. RESULTS FDG PET scans were positive in 27 patients (54%) and negative in 23 (46%). FDG PET results were true-positive in 26 cases, false-positive in 1, true-negative in 7, and false-negative in 16. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 61.9%, 87.5%, 96.3%, and 30.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION FDG PET scanning is moderately sensitive and specific for detection of persistent or recurrent DTC.
Circadian variation in the timing of stroke onset: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acute myocardial infarction and sudden death display a circadian rhythm, with a higher risk between 6 AM and noon. Some reports suggest that stroke does not follow such a circadian variation and that hemorrhagic stroke occurs more often during the evening. METHODS A meta-analysis of 31 publications reporting the circadian timing of 11,816 strokes was performed, subdividing (when possible) by the type of stroke, according to the time of onset of symptoms. When precise timing was not given, strokes were distributed evenly (that is, biasing toward the null hypothesis of lack of circadian variation). RESULTS All subtypes of strokes displayed a significant (P<0.001) circadian variation in time of onset, whether divided into 3-, 4-, or 6-hour time periods. There was a 49% increase (95% confidence interval, 44% to 55%) in stroke of all types between 6 AM and noon (compared with expectations if no circadian variation was present), which is a 79% (95% confidence interval, 72% to 87%) increase over the normalized risk of the other 18 hours of the day. There were 29% fewer strokes between midnight and 6 AM, a 35% decrease compared with the other 18 hours of the day. All three subtypes of stroke had a significantly higher risk between 6 AM and noon (55% for 8250 ischemic strokes; 34% for 1801 hemorrhagic strokes, and 50% for 405 transient ischemic attacks). CONCLUSIONS These data support the presence of a circadian pattern in the onset of stroke, with a significantly higher risk in the morning.