Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic construction of a domain-independent knowledge base from heterogeneous data sources

Manual construction and maintenance of general-purpose knowledge bases forms a major limiting factor towards their full adoption, use and reuse in practical settings. In this paper, we present KnowBase, a system for automatic knowledge base construction from heterogeneous data sources including domain-specific ontologies, general-purpose ontologies, plain texts, and image and video captions, which are automatically extracted from WebPages. In our approach, several information extraction techniques are integrated to automatically create, enrich, and keep the knowledge base up to date. Consequently, knowledge represented by the produced knowledge base can be employed in several application domains. In our experiments, we used the produced knowledge base as an external resource to align heterogeneous ontologies from the environmental and agricultural domains. The produced results demonstrate the effectiveness of the used knowledge base in finding corresponding entities between the used ontologies.
Expression of Escherichia coli Methionyl-tRNA Formyltransferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Leads to Formylation of the Cytoplasmic Initiator tRNA and Possibly to Initiation of Protein Synthesis with Formylmethionine

ABSTRACT Protein synthesis in eukaryotic cytoplasm and in archaebacteria is initiated with methionine, whereas, that in eubacteria and in eukaryotic organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, is initiated with formylmethionine. In view of this clear distinction, we have investigated whether protein synthesis in the eukaryotic cytoplasm can be initiated with formylmethionine, and, if so, what the consequences are to the cell. For this purpose, we have expressed in an inducible manner the Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (MTF) in the cytoplasm of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of active MTF, but not of an inactive mutant, leads to formylation of methionine attached to the yeast cytoplasmic initiator tRNA to the extent of about 70%. As a consequence, the yeast strain grows slowly. Coexpression of the E. coli polypeptide deformylase (DEF), which removes the formyl group from the N-terminal formylmethionine in a polypeptide, rescues the slow-growth phenotype, whereas, coexpression of an inactive mutant of DEF does not. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic protein-synthesizing system of yeast, like that of eubacteria, can at least to some extent utilize formylated initiator Met-tRNA to initiate protein synthesis and that initiation of proteins with formylmethionine leads to the slow-growth phenotype. Removal of the formyl group in these proteins by DEF would explain the rescue of the slow-growth phenotype.
Membrane Association Domains in Ca2+-dependent Activator Protein for Secretion Mediate Plasma Membrane and Dense-core Vesicle Binding Required for Ca2+-dependent Exocytosis*

Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS) is a cytosolic protein essential for the Ca2+-dependent fusion of dense-core vesicles (DCVs) with the plasma membrane and the regulated secretion of a subset of neurotransmitters. The mechanism by which CAPS functions in exocytosis and the means by which it associates with target membranes are unknown. We identified two domains in CAPS with distinct membrane-binding properties that were each essential for CAPS activity in regulated exocytosis. The first of these, a centrally located pleckstrin homology domain, exhibited three properties: charge-based binding to acidic phospholipids, binding to plasma membrane but not DCV membrane, and stereoselective binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Mutagenesis studies revealed that the former two properties but not the latter were essential for CAPS function. The central pleckstrin homology domain may mediate transient CAPS interactions with the plasma membrane during Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. The second membrane association domain comprising distal C-terminal sequences mediated CAPS targeting to and association with neuroendocrine DCVs. The CAPS C-terminal domain was also essential for optimal activity in regulated exocytosis. The presence of two membrane association domains with distinct binding specificities may enable CAPS to bind both target membranes to facilitate DCV-plasma membrane fusion.
Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH): factores gestacionales y perinatales asociados

AƩ enƟ on defi cit and hyperacƟ vity disorder (ADHD) is a very frequent neuropsychiatric problem in pediatric pracƟ ce. Despite clinical features of ADHD are increasingly depicted in the medical literature, a beƩ er understanding of this pathology is sƟ ll required. Pediatricians and primary care physicians should know that ADHD has markedly variable clinical presentaƟ on, as well as that it may result in signifi cant impact on the children’s physical and emoƟ onal wellbeing, academic achievements and social interacƟ on in the diff erent life stages. Possible geneƟ c alteraƟ ons associated to ADHD are analyzed in the present paper, in addiƟ on to the prenatal and enviromental factors that can interact with the geneƟ cs anomalies that have been linked to ADHD.
Computational Aspects of Multi-Winner Approval Voting

We study computational aspects of three prominent voting rules that use approval ballots to select multiple winners. These rules are proportional approval voting, reweighted approval voting, and satisfaction approval voting. Each rule is designed with the intention to compute a representative winning set. We show that computing the winner for proportional approval voting is NP-hard, closing an open problem (Kilgour, 2010). As none of the rules we examine are strategy-proof, we study various strategic aspects of the rules. In particular, we examine the computational complexity of computing a best response for both a single agent and a group of agents. In many settings, we show that it is NP-hard for an agent or agents to compute how best to vote given a fixed set of approval ballots of the other agents.
Direct Interactions between the Basolateral Amygdala and Nucleus Accumbens Core Underlie Cocaine-Seeking Behavior by Rats

An insidious feature of drug craving and drug seeking in humans is that it can be induced and maintained by conditioned stimuli after a prolonged drug-free period. Understanding the neural basis of this control over addictive behavior may aid in the development of treatments targeting drug seeking and thereby be beneficial in preventing drug use. In the present study, we used a well established animal model to investigate the functional importance of amygdala-nucleus accumbens interactions in cocaine seeking under the control of drug-associated conditioned reinforcers. To probe the direct neuroanatomical relationship between these structures within a functional corticostriatal loop, we used a neuropharmacological disconnection procedure. Thus, infusing a dopamine receptor antagonist unilaterally into the basolateral amygdala (which had no effect on its own) and an AMPA-kainate (KA) receptor antagonist into the contralateral nucleus accumbens core (which also had no effect on its own) greatly reduced cocaine seeking. We also show that bilateral infusions of the DA receptor antagonist into the amygdala, but not nucleus accumbens, or of the AMPA-KA receptor antagonist in the nucleus accumbens, but not the amygdala, also greatly reduced cocaine seeking. The results of this study demonstrate an amygdala-nucleus accumbens system that critically underlies stimulus-controlled cocaine seeking and indicate possible neurochemical targets for relapse-prevention medication.
Aborted sudden cardiac death: a clinical perspective

Sudden cardiac death in the community remains a major public health problem. The purpose of this article is to outline the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and immediate treatment of the cardiac arrest victim. The subsequent in-hospital diagnostic evaluation and management will then be discussed with an emphasis on the role of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. A systematic and evidence based approach should help to optimize patient care.
RNase L Variants Do Not Appear to Impact on Clinical Features of Sporadic Prostate Cancer Patients

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous male cancers, contributing to significant mortality rates globally. Mutations of RNase L, an enzyme involved in inflammatory and immunological pathways, have been speculated to predispose to cancer. This study assesses three different mutations of the RNase L gene in Irish prostate cancer patients, including one linked with general cancer susceptibility never investigated before in prostate cancer (rs3738579), and reports on links with aggressive cancer. Methods: 134 patients had their RNase L mutation status determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of serum DNA. Complementary clinical details for each patient are statistically analysed. Results: No link to age of diagnosis, high grade disease or prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis was demonstrated with any of the studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The SNP variation was consistent with that of published international series. Conclusion: SNP genotypic frequencies in Ireland are consistent with international findings. The studied RNase L mutations including rs3738579 do not appear to have a significant impact on our patient population.
Short Communication: Flecainide Exerts an Antiarrhythmic Effect in a Mouse Model of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia by Increasing the Threshold for Triggered Activity

Rationale: Flecainide prevents arrhythmias in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, but the antiarrhythmic mechanism remains unresolved. It is possible for flecainide to directly affect the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2); however, an extracellular site of action is suggested because of the hydrophilic nature of flecainide. Objective: To investigate the mechanism for the antiarrhythmic action of flecainide in a RyR2R4496C+/− knock-in mouse model of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Methods and Results: Flecainide prevented catecholamine-induced sustained ventricular tachycardia in RyR2R4496C+/− mice. Cellular studies were performed with isolated RyR2R4496C+/− myocytes. Isoproterenol caused the appearance of spontaneous Ca2+ transients, which were unaffected by flecainide (6 &mgr;mol/L). Flecainide did not affect Ca2+ transient amplitude, decay, or sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content. Moreover, it did not affect the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks in permeabilized myocytes. In contrast, flecainide effectively prevented triggered activity induced by isoproterenol. The threshold for action potential induction was increased significantly (P<0.01), which suggests a primary extracellular antiarrhythmic effect mediated by Na+ channel blockade. Conclusions: Flecainide prevents catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in RyR2R4496C+/− mice; however, at variance with previous reports, we observed minimal effects on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Our data suggest that the antiarrhythmic activity of the drug is caused by reduction of Na+ channel availability and by an increase in the threshold for triggered activity.
Autocrine and Paracrine Transcriptional Regulation of Type IIA Secretory Phospholipase A2 Gene in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective—The inflammation that occurs during the development of atherosclerosis is characterized by a massive release of sPLA2-IIA (group IIA secretory phospholipase A2) from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We have investigated the autocrine function of sPLA2-IIA in rat aortic and human VSMCs. Methods and Results—We found that the transcription of the endogenous sPLA2-IIA gene increased by adding a cell supernatant containing human sPLA2-IIA proteins. We show that this effect was independent of the sPLA2 activity using sPLA2-IIA proteins lacking enzyme activity. Transient transfections with various sPLA2-IIA rat promoter-luciferase constructs demonstrated that the C/EBP, NK-&kgr;B, and Ets transcription factors are involved in the increase in sPLA2-IIA gene transcription. We also found the M-type sPLA2 receptor mRNA in VSMCs, and we showed that the sPLA2-luciferase reporter gene was induced by the specific agonist of the sPLA2 receptor, aminophenylmannopyranoside (APMP), and that this induction was mediated by the same transcription factor-binding sites. Finally, we used a sPLA2-IIA mutant unable to bind heparan-sulfate proteoglycans to show that the binding of wild-type sPLA2-IIA to proteoglycans is essential for the induction of an autocrine loop. Conclusions—We have thus identified new autocrine and paracrine pathways activating sPLA2-IIA gene expression in rat and human VSMCs.
Estimating Customer and Time Averages

In this paper we establish a joint central limit theorem for customer and time averages by applying a martingale central limit theorem in a Markov framework. The limiting values of the two averages appear in the translation terms. This central limit theorem helps to construct confidence intervals for estimators and perform statistical tests. It thus helps determine which finite average is a more asymptotically efficient estimator of its limit. As a basis for testing for PASTA Poisson arrivals see time averages, we determine the variance constant associated with the central limit theorem for the difference between the two averages when PASTA holds.
Functional connectivity with distinct neural networks tracks fluctuations in gain/loss framing susceptibility

Multiple large‐scale neural networks orchestrate a wide range of cognitive processes. For example, interoceptive processes related to self‐referential thinking have been linked to the default‐mode network (DMN); whereas exteroceptive processes related to cognitive control have been linked to the executive‐control network (ECN). Although the DMN and ECN have been postulated to exert opposing effects on cognition, it remains unclear how connectivity with these spatially overlapping networks contribute to fluctuations in behavior. While previous work has suggested the medial‐prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is involved in behavioral change following feedback, these observations could be linked to interoceptive processes tied to DMN or exteroceptive processes tied to ECN because MPFC is positioned in both networks. To address this problem, we employed independent component analysis combined with dual‐regression functional connectivity analysis. Participants made a series of financial decisions framed as monetary gains or losses. In some sessions, participants received feedback from a peer observing their choices; in other sessions, feedback was not provided. Following feedback, framing susceptibility—indexed as the increase in gambling behavior in loss frames compared to gain frames—was heightened in some participants and diminished in others. We examined whether these individual differences were linked to differences in connectivity by contrasting sessions containing feedback against those that did not contain feedback. We found two key results. As framing susceptibility increased, the MPFC increased connectivity with DMN; in contrast, temporal‐parietal junction decreased connectivity with the ECN. Our results highlight how functional connectivity patterns with distinct neural networks contribute to idiosyncratic behavioral changes. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2743–2755, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dopamine D1-histamine H3 Receptor Heteromers Provide a Selective Link to MAPK Signaling in GABAergic Neurons of the Direct Striatal Pathway*

Previously, using artificial cell systems, we identified receptor heteromers between the dopamine D1 or D2 receptors and the histamine H3 receptor. In addition, we demonstrated two biochemical characteristics of the dopamine D1 receptor-histamine H3 receptor heteromer. We have now extended this work to show the dopamine D1 receptor-histamine H3 receptor heteromer exists in the brain and serves to provide a novel link between the MAPK pathway and the GABAergic neurons in the direct striatal efferent pathway. Using the biochemical characteristics identified previously, we found that the ability of H3 receptor activation to stimulate p44 and p42 extracellular signal-regulated MAPK (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation was only observed in striatal slices of mice expressing D1 receptors but not in D1 receptor-deficient mice. On the other hand, the ability of both D1 and H3 receptor antagonists to block MAPK activation induced by either D1 or H3 receptor agonists was also found in striatal slices. Taken together, these data indicate the occurrence of D1-H3 receptor complexes in the striatum and, more importantly, that H3 receptor agonist-induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in striatal slices is mediated by D1-H3 receptor heteromers. Moreover, H3 receptor-mediated phospho-ERK 1/2 labeling co-distributed with D1 receptor-containing but not with D2 receptor-containing striatal neurons. These results indicate that D1-H3 receptor heteromers work as processors integrating dopamine- and histamine-related signals involved in controlling the function of striatal neurons of the direct striatal pathway.
Viral‐mediated oligodendroglial alpha‐synuclein expression models multiple system atrophy

Background: MSA is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of autonomic dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, and l‐dopa unresponsive parkinsonism. The hallmark of MSA is the accumulation of α‐synuclein, forming cytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes. Adeno‐associated viruses allow efficient targeting of disease‐associated genes in selected cellular ensembles and have proven efficient for the neuronal overexpression of α‐synuclein in the substantia nigra in the context of PD.
Centroidal Voronoi Tessellation Algorithms for Image Processing

Centroidal Voronoi tessellations (CVT’s) are special Voronoi tessellations for which the generators of the tessellation are also the centers of mass (or means) of the Voronoi cells or clusters. CVT’s have been found to be useful in many disparate and diverse settings. In this paper, CVT-based algorithms are developed for image compression, image segmenation, and multichannel image restoration applications. In the image processing context and in its simplest form, the CVT-based methodology reduces to the wellknown k-means clustering technique. However, by viewing the latter within the CVT context, very useful generalizations and improvements can be easily made. Several such generalizations are exploited in this paper including the incorporation of cluster dependent weights, the incorporation of averaging techniques to treat noisy images, extensions to treat multichannel data, and combinations of the aforementioned. In each case, examples are provided to illustrate the efficiency, flexibility, and effectiveness of CVT-based image processing methodologies.
HOSPITAL MANAGERS’ NEED FOR INFORMATION ON HEALTH TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS

Objectives: There is growing interest in implementing hospital-based health technology assessment (HB-HTA) as a tool to facilitate decision making based on a systematic and multidisciplinary assessment of evidence. However, the decision-making process, including the informational needs of hospital decision makers, is not well described. The objective was to review empirical studies analysing the information that hospital decision makers need when deciding about health technology (HT) investments. Methods: A systematic review of empirical studies published in English or Danish from 2000 to 2012 was carried out. The literature was assessed by two reviewers working independently. The identified informational needs were assessed with regard to their agreement with the nine domains of EUnetHTA's Core Model. Results: A total of 2,689 articles were identified and assessed. The review process resulted in 14 relevant studies containing 74 types of information that hospital decision makers found relevant. In addition to information covered by the Core Model, other types of information dealing with political and strategic aspects were identified. The most frequently mentioned types of information in the literature related to clinical, economic and political/strategic aspects. Legal, social, and ethical aspects were seldom considered most important. Conclusions: Hospital decision makers are able to describe their information needs when deciding on HT investments. The different types of information were not of equal importance to hospital decision makers, however, and full agreement between EUnetHTA's Core Model and the hospital decision-makers’ informational needs was not observed. They also need information on political and strategic aspects not covered by the Core Model.
Informed Active Learning to Aid Domain Experts in Modeling Compliance

Modern enterprises face an unprecedented regulatory regime. Traditional compliance practices in enterprises rely heavily on domain experts whose judgement determines what compliance means and how to reflect regulations onto the enterprise processes and data to make them compliant. These activities are mostly manual in nature. We present a machine learning approach to modeling compliance. Our key innovations are a) use of active learning- a semi-supervised system capable of learning interactively from the domain expert to identify regulations and b) informing the feature representation of the active learner based on domain- specific entities and relations to effectively build a domain model of regulations. Early results show that our system reduces the burden on domain experts to a large extent, enables latching domain expert's knowledge, and makes further steps in compliance easier by the use of models.
An Object-Oriented Parallel Particle-in-Cell Code for Beam Dynamics Simulation in Linear Accelerators

In this paper, we present an object-oriented three-dimensional parallel particle-in-cell code for beam dynamics simulation in linear accelerators. A two-dimensional parallel domain decomposition approach is employed within a message passing programming paradigm along with a dynamic load balancing. Implementing object-oriented software design provides the code with better maintainability, reusability, and extensibility compared with conventional structure based code. This also helps to encapsulate the details of communication syntax. Performance tests on SGI/Cray T3E-900 and SGI Origin 2000 machines showgood scalability of the object-oriented code. Some important features of this code also include employing symplectic integration with linear maps of external focusing elements and using z as the independent variable, typical in accelerators. A successful application was done to simulate beam transport through three superconducting sections in the APT linac design.
When to use data from other projects for effort estimation

Collecting the data required for quality prediction within a development team is time-consuming and expensive. An alternative to make predictions using data that crosses from other projects or even other companies. We show that with/without relevancy filtering, imported data performs the same/worse (respectively) than using local data. Therefore, we recommend the use of relevancy filtering whenever generating estimates using data from another project.