Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Treatment for Metabolic Disorders Associated with Autism:Reanalysis of Three Clinical Trials

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 45 individuals in the United States, yet effective treatments are yet to be defined. There is growing evidence that ASD is associated with abnormalities in several metabolic pathways, including the inter-connected folate, methylation and glutathione pathways. Several treatments that can therapeutically target these pathways have been tested in preliminary clinical trials. The combination of methylcobalamin (mB12) with low-dose folinic acid (LDFA) and sapropterin, a synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) have been studied in open-label trials while high-dose folinic acid has been studied in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. All of these treatments have the potential to positively affect folate, methylation and glutathione pathways. Although the effect of mB12/LDFA and BH4 on methylation and glutathione metabolism have been examined in the open-label studies, these changes have not been compared to controls who received a placebo in order to account for the natural variation in the changes in these pathways. Furthermore, the recent study using high-dose folinic acid (HDFA) did not analyze the change in metabolism resulting from the treatment. Thus, we compared changes in methylation and glutathione metabolism and biomarkers of chronic oxidative stress as a result of these three treatments to individuals receiving placebo. In general, mB12/LDFA treatment had a significant effect on glutathione and cysteine metabolism with a medium effect size while BH4 had a significant effect on methylation and markers of chronic oxidative stress with a large effect size. HDFA treatment did not significantly influence biomarkers of methylation, glutathione or chronic oxidative stress. One caveat was that participants in the mB12/LDFA and BH4 studies had significantly worse markers of glutathione metabolism and chronic oxidative stress at baseline, respectively. Thus, the participants selected in these two clinical trials may have been those with the most severe metabolic abnormalities and most expected to respond to these treatments. Overall this study supports the notion that metabolic abnormalities in individuals with ASD may be amenable to targeted treatments and provide some insight into the mechanism of action of these treatments.
Molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic syndrome: the expanding role of the adipocyte

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of 3 or more metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors and represents a serious problem for public health. Altered function of adipose tissue has a significant impact on whole‐body metabolism and represents a key driver for the development of these metabolic derangements, collectively referred as to MetS. In particular, increased visceral and ectopic fat deposition play a major role in the development of insulin resistance and MetS. A large body of evidence demonstrates that aging and MetS share several metabolic alterations. Of importance, molecular pathways that regulate lifespan affect key processes of adipose tissue physiology, and transgenic mouse models with adipose‐specific alterations in these pathways show derangements of adipose tissue and other metabolic features of MetS, which highlights a causal link between dysfunctional adipose tissue and deleterious effects on whole‐body homeostasis. This review analyzes adipose tissue‐specific dysfunctions, including metabolic alterations that are related to aging, that have a significant impact on the development of MetS. —Armani, A. , Berry, A. , Cirulli, F. , Caprio, M. Molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic syndrome: the expanding role of the adipocyte. FASEB J. 31, 4240–4255 (2017). www.fasebj. org
Statistical models of horizontal and vertical stochastic noise for the Microsoft Kinect™ sensor

Noise characteristics for the Microsoft Kinect sensor are presented. Horizontal (x) and vertical (y) stochastic noise are measured using a novel 3D checker board. Results show that the noise is affected mostly by the depth at which the object is sensed and by the radial distance from the center of the field of view. Measurement-based models for the noise in horizontal and vertical axes are presented. The proposed model is compared against existing models in literature and shows better results by considering the horizontal and vertical location of the depth measurement.
Biotemplated syntheses of anisotropic nanoparticles

The technological advances predicted (or, perhaps, demanded) for the twenty-first century are intimately linked to the crystallochemically controlled synthesis of high-performance functional materials. To answer the new hendiatris of ‘smaller, faster, better’, the manufacture of these materials as nanoparticles has become a scientific noblesse oblige. Direct incorporation into the next generation of electronic devices will necessitate anisotropic forms of these materials, be they nanowires, nanotapes or nanotubes. Chemists have recently discovered that, in addition to the classical methods of anisotropic growth, new routes allow more complex materials to be synthesized in these morphologies. This review describes, using a series of examples, how the morphology of functional materials can be controlled using templated growth mediated by a biopolymer. By involving a biopolymer in the synthetic protocol, anisotropic nanoparticles and assemblages of even quite complex materials can be generated in syntheses that are simple, elegant and highly specific.
Remote ischemic Conditioning – endogene Gewebeprotektion und ihre Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Chirurgie

Zusammenfassung Als Grundlage für Wundheilung und Regeneration nach Operationen kommt der Gewebeperfusion zentrale Bedeutung zu. Ischämien und Reperfusion führen über die Auslösung von Entzündungsreaktionen im Gewebe zu Gewebeschäden bis hin zur Nekrose. Um im Rahmen des perioperativen Managements das Gewebe vor solch schädigenden Einflüssen zu schützen, wurden eine Vielzahl an Konditionierungsverfahren beschrieben. Die wenigsten dieser Verfahren erfüllen jedoch die Forderung nach Wirksamkeit, zeit- und kosteneffektiver Anwendbarkeit und nicht invasiver Anwendung ohne zusätzliche Geräte oder Medikamente. Remote ischemic Conditioning (RIC) stellt eine Möglichkeit der endogenen Gewebekonditionierung dar, welche diese Kriterien erfüllt. Durch kurze wiederholte Zyklen aus Ischämie und Reperfusion eines isolierten vaskulären Territoriums kommt es über die Aktivierung körpereigener Signalwege zu gesteigerter Toleranz gegenüber Minderversorgung und Begrenzung des Reperfusionsschadens im Gewebe auch fernab des eigentlich konditionierten Gebiets. Zur nicht invasiven Applikation der notwendigen Ischämie-/Reperfusionszyklen genügt eine Druckmanschette, die am Oberarm angelegt und wiederholt auf suprasystolische Werte aufgepumpt wird. Die verschiedenen Konzepte des Remote ischemic Pre-, Per- und Postconditioning ermöglichen die Anwendung sowohl im Rahmen von Elektiveingriffen als auch bei Notfallinterventionen. RIC findet, aufbauend auf vielversprechenden experimentellen Studien, zunehmend klinische Anwendung. Neben Studien zur Kardio-, Nephro- und Neuroprotektion liegen auch erste Ergebnisse für den potenziellen Einsatz von RIC in der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie vor. Dieser Artikel soll daher einen Überblick über Entwicklung, Konzepte und beteiligte Mechanismen des RIC mit Schwerpunkt auf den Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Chirurgie geben.
Critical appraisal of nonrandomized studies—A review of recommended and commonly used tools

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES When randomized controlled trial data are limited or unavailable, or to supplement randomized controlled trial evidence, health technology assessment (HTA) agencies may rely on systematic reviews of nonrandomized studies (NRSs) for evidence of the effectiveness of health care interventions. NRS designs may introduce considerable bias into systematic reviews, and several methodologies by which to evaluate this risk of bias are available. This study aimed to identify tools commonly used to assess bias in NRS and determine those recommended by HTA bodies. METHODS Appraisal tools used in NRS were identified through a targeted search of systematic reviews (January 2013-March 2017; MEDLINE and EMBASE [OVID SP]). Recommendations for the critical appraisal of NRS by expert review groups and HTA bodies were reviewed. RESULTS From the 686 studies included in the narrative synthesis, 48 critical appraisal tools were identified. Commonly used tools included the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the methodological index for NRS, and bespoke appraisal tools. Neither the Cochrane Handbook nor the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination recommends a particular instrument for the assessment of risk of bias in NRS, although Cochrane has recently developed their own NRS critical appraisal tool. Among HTA bodies, only the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health recommends use of a specific critical appraisal tool-SIGN 50 (for cohort or case-control studies). Several criteria including reporting, external validity, confounding, and power were examined. CONCLUSION There is no consensus between HTA groups on the preferred appraisal tool. Reviewers should select from a suite of tools on the basis of the design of studies included in their review.
The ecology and evolutionary dynamics of meiotic drive

: Meiotic drivers are genetic variants that selfishly manipulate the production of gametes to increase their own rate of transmission, often to the detriment of the rest of the genome and the individual that carries them. This genomic conflict potentially occurs whenever a diploid organism produces a haploid stage, and can have profound evolutionary impacts on gametogenesis, fertility, individual behaviour, mating system, population survival, and reproductive isolation. Multiple research teams are developing artificial drive systems for pest control, utilising the transmission advantage of drive to alter or exterminate target species. Here, we review current knowledge of how natural drive systems function, how drivers spread through natural populations, and the factors that limit their invasion. Abstract Meiotic drivers are genetic variants that selfishly manipulate the production of gametes to 42 increase their own rate of transmission, often to the detriment of the rest of the genome 43 and the individual that carries them. This genomic conflict potentially occurs whenever a 44 diploid organism produces a haploid stage, and can have profound evolutionary impacts on 45 gametogenesis, fertility, individual behaviour, mating system, population survival, and 46 reproductive isolation. Multiple research teams are developing artificial drive systems for 47 pest control, utilizing the transmission advantage of drive to alter or exterminate target 48 species. Here, we review current knowledge of how natural drive systems function, how 49 drivers spread through natural populations, and the factors that limit their invasion.
Cortical oscillations arise from contextual interactions that regulate sparse coding

Significance The nature and functions of oscillations in cerebral cortex are complex and controversial, and the mechanisms that regulate them are poorly understood. We propose a regulatory mechanism that links the dynamical state of the cortex to interactions between sensory and behavioral context during information processing. We explain how a prominent set of otherwise paradoxical empirical results can be understood with a single free parameter, the ratio of monosynaptic to disynaptic input to a subpopulation of inhibitory cells. In particular, we show that the power and frequency of gamma-range oscillations can be used to monitor the state of a cortical network. Our proposed model makes specific predictions that have broad implications for the basic understanding of information coding in the cortex. Precise spike times carry information and are important for synaptic plasticity. Synchronizing oscillations such as gamma bursts could coordinate spike times, thus regulating information transmission in the cortex. Oscillations are driven by inhibitory neurons and are modulated by sensory stimuli and behavioral states. How their power and frequency are regulated is an open question. Using a model cortical circuit, we propose a regulatory mechanism that depends on the activity balance of monosynaptic and disynaptic pathways to inhibitory neurons: Monosynaptic input causes more powerful oscillations whereas disynaptic input increases the frequency of oscillations. The balance of stimulation to the two pathways modulates the overall distribution of spikes, with stronger disynaptic stimulation (e.g., preferred stimuli inside visual receptive fields) producing high firing rates and weak oscillations; in contrast, stronger monosynaptic stimulation (e.g., suppressive contextual stimulation from outside visual receptive fields) generates low firing rates and strong oscillatory regulation of spike timing, as observed in alert cortex processing complex natural stimuli. By accounting for otherwise paradoxical experimental findings, our results demonstrate how the frequency and power of oscillations, and hence spike times, can be modulated by both sensory input and behavioral context, with powerful oscillations signifying a cortical state under inhibitory control in which spikes are sparse and spike timing is precise.
High-power fault-tolerant and multiple independent loads LED driver

Fault-tolerant LED drivers offer advantages of uninterrupted operation under fault conditions, lower repair cost and downtime. Low-loss hall-effect current sensors were used to detect current flow in each string, and are seamlessly integrated with the digital control system to achieve a high-efficiency fault-tolerant driver. Existing LED lighting systems require a driver for each LED load. For applications where numerous LED loads are needed, the complexity and cost of the lighting system are likely to increase. In this paper, a simple novel LED driver for multiple independent LED loads is proposed. A digitally controlled coupled inductor cuk converter is employed. The coupled inductors lower output current ripple ensuring >99% LED load efficacy, and helps eliminate the output filter capacitor. This results in a highly efficient and compact LED driver.
Development of sugar chain-binding single-chain variable fragment antibody to adult T-cell leukemia cells using glyco-nanotechnology and phage display method

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is an intractable blood cancer caused by the infection of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1, and effective medical treatment is required. It is known that the structure and expression levels of cell surface sugar chains vary depending on cell states such as inflammation and cancer. Thus, it is expected that the antibody specific for ATL cell surface sugar chain would be an effective diagnostic tool and a strong candidate for the development of an anti-ATL drug. Here, we developed a stable sugar chain-binding single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv) that can bind to ATL cells using a fibre-type Sugar Chip and phage display method. The fiber-type Sugar Chips were prepared using O-glycans released from ATL cell lines. The scFv-displaying phages derived from human B cells (diversity: 1.04 × 108) were then screened using the fiber-type Sugar Chips, and an O-glycan-binding scFv was obtained. The flow cytometry analysis revealed that the scFv predominantly bound to ATL cell lines. The sugar chain-binding properties of the scFv was evaluated by array-type Sugar Chip immobilized with a library of synthetic glycosaminoglycan disaccharide structures. Highly sulphated disaccharide structures were found to have high affinity to scFv.
Experimental evaluation of an interleaved boost topology optimized for peak power tracking control

This paper provides an experimental evaluation of a four phase Floating Interleaved Boost Converter for a photovoltaic power system application. This converter offers improved efficiency and voltage gain, while having lower input current ripple than other DC-DC boost converters. A dual loop, discrete, linear feedback was developed to regulate inductor currents and output capacitor voltages. Maximum Power Point Tracking capability was included. Results of all control functions were used to validate the control development, and point to areas for further improvement.
Oestrogens and Progestagens: Synthesis and Action in the Brain

When steroids, such as pregnenolone, progesterone and oestrogen, are synthesised de novo in neural tissues, they are more specifically referred to as neurosteroids. These neurosteroids bind specific receptors to promote essential brain functions. Pregnenolone supports cognition and protects mouse hippocampal cells against glutamate and amyloid peptide‐induced cell death. Progesterone promotes myelination, spinogenesis, synaptogenesis, neuronal survival and dendritic growth. Allopregnanolone increases hippocampal neurogenesis, neuronal survival and cognitive functions. Oestrogens, such as oestradiol, regulate synaptic plasticity, reproductive behaviour, aggressive behaviour and learning. In addition, neurosteroids are neuroprotective in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, brain injury and ageing. Using in situ hybridisation and/or immunohistochemistry, steroidogenic enzymes, including cytochrome P450 side‐chain cleavage, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5‐Δ4 isomerase, cytochrome P450arom, steroid 5α‐reductase and 3α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, have been detected in numerous brain regions, including the hippocampus, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. In the present review, we summarise some of the studies related to the synthesis and function of oestrogens and progestagens in the central nervous system.
Improving Automatic Ontology Developement

Clanek popisuje přistup k tvorbě nove semanticke sitě, ktera obsahuje nejen pozitivni semanticke znacky, ale take negativni znaceni. Abychom ziskali kvalitni data pro nasledne použiti při strojovem uceni a strojovem překladu, vyvinuli jsme metody založene na automaticky předgenerovaných datech z velkeho korpusu, nasledovane rucni anotaci. Timto způsobem bylo vytvořeno jadro semanticke sitě, ktere lze rozsiřit pro zlepseni pokryti korpusu.
Robust Aircraft Routing

We propose a robust optimization approach to minimize total propagated delay in the aircraft routing problem, a setting first developed by Lan et al. (2006) and then extended by Dunbar et al. (2012, 2014). Instead of minimizing the expected total propagated delay by assuming that flight leg delays follow specific probability distributions, our model minimizes the maximal possible total propagated delay when flight leg delays lie in a pre-specified uncertainty set. We develop exact and tractable solution approaches for our robust model. The major contribution of our model is that it allows us to explicitly model and handle correlation in flight leg delays (e.g., due to weather or various air traffic management initiatives) that existing approaches cannot efficiently incorporate. Using both historical delay data and simulated data, we evaluate the performance of our model and benchmark against the state-of-the-research stochastic approach (Dunbar et al. 2014). In most of the cases, we observe that our model outperforms the existing approach in lowering the mean, reducing volatility, and mitigating extreme values of total propagated delay. In the cases where a deficit in one of the three criteria exists, gains in the other two criteria usually offset this disadvantage. These results suggest that robust optimization approaches can provide promising results for the aircraft routing problem.
Tumor Protein p53 (TP53) Gene and Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

Patients with left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) are at the highest risk of cardiovascular events. We evaluated possible gene polymorphisms of tumor protein 53 (TP53, rs1042522, p.Arg72Pro) that can differentiate LM-CAD from patients with more peripheral CAD (MP-CAD) and healthy participants (control group) in 520 individuals (LM-CAD, n = 175; MP-CAD, n = 185; and control group, n = 160). Patients with LM-CAD had the lowest Arg/Arg genotype frequency (36.0%) compared with the MP-CAD (57.3%) and control groups (61.9%), P < . 001 for both comparisons. Similarly, the Arg allele was more frequent in the control group than in patients with MP-CAD (78.8% vs 73.2%; P = .007) and LM-CAD (78.8% vs 64.0%; P < .001). The Arg/Pro genotype was more frequent in the LM-CAD group compared with the MP-CAD and control groups (56.0, 31.9, and 33.8, respectively, P < .001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, the frequency of Arg/Arg genotypes was the lowest in the LM-CAD group compared with the MP-CAD and control groups. Knowing that TP53 is an antioncogene protein that acts as a tumor suppressor and regulator of apoptosis, the lowest frequency of Arg/Arg genotype observed in these high-risk patients may indicate lower protection from the atherosclerosis process. Replication studies are needed to evaluate this association.
Unraveling the Alignment Paradox: How Does Business - IT Alignment Shape Organizational Agility?

Contradictory views exist regarding whether business-information technology IT alignment enhances or reduces organizational agility, and no consensus has been achieved. To disentangle this puzzle, this study takes both the intellectual and social dimensions of IT alignment into account and investigates how they influence agility in opposite directions through distinct mechanisms. Based on survey data from 429 dyads of business and IT executives, we uncover that intellectual alignment impedes agility by increasing organizational inertia, while social alignment facilitates agility by enhancing emergent business-IT coordination. We also find that social alignment weakens the effect of intellectual alignment on organizational inertia. This paper fills a gap in the information systems IS literature by providing a theory-driven explanation of the alignment paradox, which makes a significant contribution to both IS research and practice. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017. 0711 .
Electrical discharge machining characteristics of nickel–titanium shape memory alloy based on full factorial design

Among many shape memory alloys, nickel–titanium (NiTi) alloys are popular due to their superior properties in shape memory effect and superelasticity. They are presently often used in microengineering and medical technology especially in orthopedic and orthodontic implants due to their specific properties. In this study, the electric discharge machine characteristics of NiTi shape memory alloys have been fully investigated by full factorial design. Analysis of mean showed that the material removal rate of NiTi in the electric discharge machine process significantly related to the electrodischarge energy, involving the pulse current and pulse duration. Many electrodischarge craters and recast layers were observed on the electric discharge machine surface of NiTi samples. In addition, there was no significant difference between copper (Cu) and tungsten–copper (W-Cu) electrodes in material removal rate but work stability of W-Cu electrode was longer. On the contrary, quantity of impurity on the surface of the Cu electrode was lower. The specimen’s hardness near the outer surface could reach 1200 Hv, which originated from the hardening effect of the recast layer. Here, the microstructure, composition, and hardness of electric discharge machine surfaces are also discussed.