Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of HLA-DQB1*0501 with Scleroderma and its Clinical Features in Chinese Population

Specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1 alleles confer strong susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the frequencies of specific DQB1 alleles and their associations with SSc vary according to ethnicity and clinical features of SSc. The aim of this study was to profile DQB1 alleles in a Chinese population and to identify specific DQB1 alleles in association with SSc of Han Chinese. A cohort containing 213 patients with SSc and 239 gender-matched and unrelated controls was examined in the study. The HLA-DQB1 genotyping was performed with sequence-based typing (SBT) method. Exact p-values were obtained (Fisher's test) from 2×2 tables of allele counts or allele carriers and disease status. Seventeen DQB1 alleles were found in the cohort. DQB1*03:03 was the most common allele in this cohort. DQB1*05:01 was significantly increased in SSc, and was strongly associated with anticentromere autoantibodies (ACA). Compared with SSc in other ethnic populations, SSc patients of Han Chinese are distinct in association with DQB1*06:11, common in association with DQB1*05:01, but lack association with DQB1*03:01. In addition, DQB1*06:01 appeared more common in ATA-positive Chinese SSc, and marginally associated with pulmonary fibrosis, and an increased frequency of DQB1*03:03 was observed in anti-U1RNP-positive Chinese SSc patients.
Wideband Capacitance Evaluation of Silicon–Insulator–Silicon Through-Silicon-Vias for 3D Integration Applications

A novel silicon-insulator-silicon through-silicon-via (TSV) using ultra-low-resistivity silicon pillar as the conductor, while polymer benzocyclobutene as an insulation layer was successfully fabricated. With the help of on-wafer deembedding structure and vector network analyzer, wideband parasitic capacitance characteristics of a single TSV were accurately measured. Results show that stable capacitance over frequency (up to 50 GHz) and operation voltage (-20-20 V) is obtained with good wafer-level uniformity. Compared with the conventional Cu core TSV, the proposed structure not only exhibits a small and stable capacitance, but also involves a much simpler and cost-effective process flow.
A transgenic Cre mouse line for the study of cortical and hippocampal development

Wnt signaling regulates cortical and hippocampal development. In a previous study we found that a particular Wnt receptor, Frizzled9 (Fzd9), was selectively expressed in both the developing and adult hippocampus. Taking advantage of the specificity of this promoter, we generated a transgenic cre mouse line using the putative control elements of the Fzd9 gene. In the Fzd9‐cre mice, Cre is mainly detected in the developing cortex and hippocampus and is confined to the CA fields and dentate gyrus in adults. Furthermore, by crossing the Fzd9‐cre mouse with the ROSA26 reporter line, we examined the activity of Cre and found that it has very high recombination efficiency. Thus, this mouse line will likely prove to be a useful tool for studying cortical and hippocampal development via activation or inactivation of interesting genes. genesis 48:343–350, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Comparison of Centralized and Distributed Monitoring Architectures in the Smart Grid

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are attracting attention in the context of smart grids as they can facilitate the development of future energy consumption monitoring systems. In this paper, we present a comparison of the performance of four WSN architectures for energy consumption monitoring. The aim of this work is to explore the benefits of having distributed storage and processing compared with centralized approaches. Performance of the architectures was evaluated, considering energy consumption, processing, storage and bandwidth requirements, as well as capital costs involved. Results show that architectures requiring distributed processing and storage significantly improve the energy efficiency; nonetheless, deploying these architectures requires a relatively higher investment in comparison to centralized approaches.
Measuring RIA Quality and Performance

Better state regulation is a key component of economic reform. This is the first book to comprehensively explore international experience in the use of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), which involves assessing the potential benefits and costs of any regulatory change. The contributors reveal that RIA is being adopted by an increasing number of countries as a route to better regulation with varying degrees of success. The book includes contributions from leading experts on regulatory reform and introduces a range of case studies from developed, developing and transitional economies.
An Efficient Algorithm for Computing the HHSVM and Its Generalizations

The hybrid Huberized support vector machine (HHSVM) has proved its advantages over the ℓ1 support vector machine (SVM) in terms of classification and variable selection. Similar to the ℓ1 SVM, the HHSVM enjoys a piecewise linear path property and can be computed by a least-angle regression (LARS)-type piecewise linear solution path algorithm. In this article, we propose a generalized coordinate descent (GCD) algorithm for computing the solution path of the HHSVM. The GCD algorithm takes advantage of a majorization–minimization trick to make each coordinatewise update simple and efficient. Extensive numerical experiments show that the GCD algorithm is much faster than the LARS-type path algorithm. We further extend the GCD algorithm to solve a class of elastic net penalized large margin classifiers, demonstrating the generality of the GCD algorithm. We have implemented the GCD algorithm in a publicly available R package gcdnet.
The process of reinnervation in the dentate gyrus of adult rats: An ultrastructural study of changes in presynaptic terminals as a result of sprouting

The present study was undertaken to define the ultrastructure of synapses of the crossed temporodentate pathway after they had sprouted to reinnervate the dentate gyrus following the destruction of the normal ipsilateral temporodentate pathway. The synapses of the sprouted crossed temporodentate pathway were identified at the EM level by using autoradiographic techniques and by evaluating the degeneration of the pathway following secondary lesions. Both EM autoradiography and EM degeneration revealed that the terminals of the sprouted crossed temporodentate pathway formed asymmetric synapses on spines; individual terminals appeared to make more synaptic contacts per terminal (multiple synapses) than in the case of the normal crossed pathway. In the two lesioned animals exhibiting the best labeling, labeled terminals made an average of 3.0 ± 2.2 and 2.0 ± 1.3 contacts per terminal. In contrast, labeled terminals in normal animals exhibited only one contact per terminal. The terminals of the sprouted pathway were also larger than those of the normal crossed pathway. The synapses of the crossed temporodentate pathway that degenerated after a secondary lesion of the entorhinal cortex exhibited both electron‐lucent and electron‐dense forms of degeneration at 2 days postlesion. In two animals that were quantitatively analyzed, the density of degenerating synaptic terminals was 281 and 218/10,000 μm2 in the terminal field of the sprouted crossed pathway. These values are much higher than in normal animals, where the density of degenerating synaptic terminals was only 2.12/10,000 μm2 at 2 days postlesion. Because degenerating terminals were evident at 2 days postlesion, the sprouted crossed pathway does not appear to exhibit the very rapid degeneration that is characteristic of the normal crossed pathway. We conclude that sprouting in this pathway involves terminal proliferation (an increase in the number of presynaptic elements), and terminal hypertrophy (an increase in the size of presynaptic terminals, together with an increase in the number of synaptic contacts formed by individual terminals).
The EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria

This evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. The conference was held on 1 December 2016. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU‐founded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of 48 delegates of 42 national and international societies. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell‐driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria are disabling, impair quality of life and affect performance at work and school. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.
MALTSEVA I.O. Gender Differences in Occupational Mobility and Segregation at the Labor Market: The Case of Russian Economy. — Moscow: EERC, 2005.

This research analyses the influence of the differences in occupational mobility of men and women on gender segregation at the Russian labor market during 1985–2002. At the basis of the occupational mobility model which takes into account the gender differences in social roles, we estimate the input that individual characteristics and parameters of current occupation, characteristics of the local labor market make into probability of occupational mobility of employees of the different genders and probability of choice between different "gender-dominated" occupations, as well. The results prove that segregation decrease through occupational mobility is possible depending on increasing competitiveness of women at the labor market and eliminating factors preventing their access to employment in the private sector. Positive returns to occupational mobility in terms of wage growth were discovered for both gender groups.
[Overview of computer-aided diagnosis].

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have been developed in many institutions. CAD is able assist radiologists and physicians in detecting lesions and in differentiating benign from malignant lesions on medical images. The output from CAD can be used as a "second opinion" to assist radiologists in their interpretations and improve diagnostic accuracy. It is important to note that CAD is not designed for the automated diagnostic system. A few commercial CAD systems have recently been developed by venture companies, with pre-marketing approval having been obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is clear that CAD has practical value in radiologic diagnosis. In this paper, the background of CAD research and important topics, including the usage of an image database and methods of evaluating the performance of typical CAD schemes, are discussed. The number of CAD researchers in Japan is not yet sufficient. Radiological technologists who have a strong interest in CAD research will be good partners for radiologists in developing CAD schemes.
Expression Analysis of Angiogenesis-Related Genes in Bulgarian Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Aims and background Angiogenesis is a key process in the early stages of tumor development. In this study we aimed to evaluate the expression of a panel of angiogenesis-related genes in a group of Bulgarian patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and study design We analyzed the expression of 84 genes associated with the angiogenic process in 12 NSCLCs of two histological subtypes: 7 adenocarcinomas and 5 squamous cell carcinomas. Eight peripheral nontumorous tissues were used as controls. We performed real-time PCR on pathway-specific gene arrays (SABiosciences). Results Our pilot study identified upregulated genes in early-stage NSCLC including growth factors (TGFA and EFNA3), the adhesion molecule THBS2, cytokines and chemokines (MDK, CXCL9, CXCL10), and the serine protease PLAU. Several genes showed downregulation including one growth factor (FIGF), the receptors for growth factors TEK and S1PR1 as well as adhesion molecules (COL4A3 and CDH5), the cytokine IL6, the matrix protein LEP and the transcription factor NOTCH4. The study demonstrated deregulated genes specific for the two histological subtypes including the transcription factor HAND2, which was overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas but not adenocarcinomas. Conclusions Despite the limited number of patients, our results demonstrated the potential of angiogenesis-related genes as biomarkers in the early stages of NSCLC development. Free full text available at www.tumorionline. it
Host-Based Security Challenges and Controls: A Survey of Contemporary Research

ABSTRACT Security in host-based computing continues to be an area of regular research. Problems in host-based security exist in three principal areas: application protection, host environment protection, and data protection. These three areas echo the security issues for mobile agents: protecting agents from hostile hosts, protecting hosts from agents, and protecting data in transit as identified in Vuong and Peng (2001). Mobile agents are specialized applications which travel between hosts. Mobility is achieved by passing data and execution parameters from one host to another. A parallel can be drawn between mobile agents and host-based applications considering both perform host-based computations. In this paper we regard the security challenges for mobile agents equivalent to those of applications installed on a host. Furthermore, we also consider a circular threat that exists between applications and the host environment.
Predicting new and unusual mobility patterns

Traditional location-based service profiles user's traits by looking for patterns in historical mobility behaviors. Yet, from time to time, people are adventurous and would often like to go to unvisited places, or follow new transition paths. At that time, their next movements will be inconsistent with any previous patterns, making location-based recommendations inaccurate and irrelevant to user's real need. Under such circumstance, an alternative strategy is to figure out user's destination and intention before recommendation, where the ability to predict new and unusual mobility patterns plays a critical role. In this paper, we define the next location that breaks the earliest on-going patterns as a Point of Change (POC). To predict POCs, we introduce a mobility model, called ST-Pattern Network, to learn the occurrences of POCs under the regularity of spatial-temporal patterns. By computing the similarities of matched patterns, our model can online predict future POCs as well as fit recent trajectory via a pattern network. Experiments show 10% accuracy improvement on POC prediction can be achieved over traditional Markov models. Furthermore, we are able to categorize the POC into more refined scenarios so that different recommendations can be suggested under different circumstances.
Antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolysis, and hemagglutination among Aeromonas spp. isolated from water of a bovine abattoir

The presence of Aeromonas spp. in food has been demonstrated. They are often introduced from water, which is the natural habitat of many species and is thought to be the main source of contamination. The occurrence of Aeromonas spp. was investigated in 70 water samples of a bovine abattoir. Aeromonas spp. were present in 21.4% of water samples. A. hydrophila was isolated from 11.4% of supplying water samples and from 25.7% of the water drained from carcasses, whereas A. sobria was sole isolated from 5.7% of supplying water samples. Although greater number of positive samples were from water drained from carcasses, only A. hydrophila isolates were present. This suggests that the supplying water is the source of contamination. The antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed all strains were resistant to b-lactam antibiotics. However, the susceptibility to other antimicrobials was variable, being A. hydrophila more resistant than A. sobria strains. The investigation for virulence factors revealed positive reactions of hemolysis and hemagglutination. The results indicate that Aeromonas spp. are present in the supplying water system. These microorganisms may be a potential contaminant of carcasses and widespread in derived food.
A scissor blade-like closing mechanism implicated in transmembrane signaling in a Bacteroides hybrid two-component system

Signaling across the membrane in response to extracellular stimuli is essential for survival of all cells. In bacteria, responses to environmental changes are predominantly mediated by two-component systems, which are typically composed of a membrane-spanning sensor histidine kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. In the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, hybrid two-component systems are a key part of the bacterium’s ability to sense and degrade complex carbohydrates in the gut. Here, we identify the activating ligand of the hybrid two-component system, BT4663, which controls heparin and heparan sulfate acquisition and degradation in this prominent gut microbe, and report the crystal structure of the extracellular sensor domain in both apo and ligand-bound forms. Current models for signal transduction across the membrane involve either a piston-like or rotational displacement of the transmembrane helices to modulate activity of the linked cytoplasmic kinases. The structures of the BT4663 sensor domain reveal a significant conformational change in the homodimer on ligand binding, which results in a scissor-like closing of the C-termini of each protomer. We propose this movement activates the attached intracellular kinase domains and represents an allosteric mechanism for bacterial transmembrane signaling distinct from previously described models, thus expanding our understanding of signal transduction across the membrane, a fundamental requirement in many important biological processes.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Sourdough Isolate Lactobacillus zymae ACA-DC 3411

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus zymae is a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium belonging to the Lactobacillus brevis clade. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of L. zymae ACA-DC 3411, which was isolated from traditional Greek wheat sourdough. Whole-genome analysis may reveal adaptive traits of strain ACA-DC 3411 in the sourdough ecosystem.
Renal Dosing in High-Risk Populations

In patients with diminished kidney function, the pharmacokinetics of many medications are altered. Alterations in absorption, distribution, and metabolism are observed in addition to altered elimination through the kidney. Classes of intravenous medications in which dose modifications are frequently required for patients with diminished kidney function include antibiotics, some anticoagulants, and chemotherapy agents. Failure to follow renal dose adjustment recommendations can lead to an increased risk of toxicity. Equations frequently used to estimate kidney function for the purpose of making renal dose adjustments include the Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations.
Trends in Infant Bedding Use: National Infant Sleep Position Study, 1993–2010

BACKGROUND: Use of potentially hazardous bedding, as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (eg, pillows, quilts, comforters, loose bedding), is a modifiable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome and unintentional sleep-related suffocation. The proportion of US infants sleeping with these types of bedding is unknown. METHODS: To investigate the US prevalence of and trends in bedding use, we analyzed 1993–2010 data from the National Infant Sleep Position study. Infants reported as being usually placed to sleep with blankets, quilts, pillows, and other similar materials under or covering them in the last 2 weeks were classified as bedding users. Logistic regression was used to describe characteristics associated with bedding use. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2010, bedding use declined but remained a widespread practice (moving average of 85.9% in 1993–1995 to 54.7% in 2008–2010). Prevalence was highest for infants of teen-aged mothers (83.5%) and lowest for infants born at term (55.6%). Bedding use was also frequently reported among infants sleeping in adult beds, on their sides, and on a shared surface. The rate of decline in bedding use was markedly less from 2001–2010 compared with 1993–2000. For 2007 to 2010, the strongest predictors (adjusted odds ratio: ≥1.5) of bedding use were young maternal age, non-white race and ethnicity, and not being college educated. CONCLUSIONS: Bedding use for infant sleep remains common despite recommendations against this practice. Understanding trends in bedding use is important for tailoring safe sleep interventions.
Increases in fluoroquinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae--Hawaii and California, 2001.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, and it can facilitate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Gonorrhea is the second most frequently reported communicable disease in the United States, with 361,705 reported cases in 2001. During the 1980s, gonococcal resistance to penicillin and tetracycline became widespread; as a result, CDC recommended using cephalosporins as first-line treatment for gonorrhea. Since 1993, CDC also has recommended using fluoroquinolones (i.e., ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or levofloxacin) for gonorrhea treatment. Fluoroquinolone therapy is used widely because it is a relatively inexpensive, oral, and single-dose therapy. However, fluoroquinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) is being identified more frequently. This report summarizes investigations of increases in QRNG in Hawaii and California in 2001 and provides data to support the recommendation that cephalosporins (i.e., ceftriaxone or cefixime) be used instead of fluoroquinolones as first-line treatment for gonorrhea acquired in these two states. The increases in QRNG highlight the importance of monitoring gonococcal resistance throughout the United States to guide local treatment decisions.