Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of glutathione detoxification pathway in MCLR‐induced hepatotoxicity in SD rats

In the present study, we investigated the role of glutathione (GSH) and its related enzymes in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats subjected to microcystin‐leucine‐arginine (MCLR)‐induced hepatotoxicity. SD rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with MCLR after pretreating with or without buthionine‐(S,R)‐sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis. The depletion of GSH with BSO enhanced MCLR‐induced oxidative stress, resulting in more severe liver damage and higher MCLR accumulation. Similarly, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), total GSH (T‐GSH), oxidized GSH (GSSG) and GSH were significantly enhanced in BSO pretreated rats following MCLR treatment. The study showed that the transcription of GSH‐related enzymes such as glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS), glutathione reductase (GR) varied in different ways (expect for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), whose gene expression was induced in all treated groups) with or without BSO pretreatment before MCLR exposure, suggesting an adaptative response of GSH‐related enzymes at transcription level to combat enhancement of oxidative stress induced by MCLR when pretreated with BSO. These data suggested the tissues with low GSH concentration are highly vulnerable to MCLR toxicity and GSH was critical for the detoxification in MCLR‐induced hepatotoxicity in vivo. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1470–1480, 2015.
Factors Influencing Prostate Cancer Screening Intentions in Lebanese Men.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the perceived obstacles and willingness of Lebanese men aged 40 and above to undergo screening for prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD A cross-sectional research design was employed. The study utilized a survey questionnaire to collect data on various factors influencing screening behaviors. The research instrument consisted of a comprehensive survey questionnaire that incorporated validated scales to assess barriers to prostate cancer screening, intention to screen, and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS The study found that the 120 participants had an average IPSS score of 7.20 ± 2.23, most people (70%) had mild symptoms of prostate cancer, whereas others had moderate (20%) or severe symptoms (10%). The majority of the men indicated a low to moderate inclination to undergo screening through Prostate-specific antigen testing, or digital rectal examination (DRE) (PSA), with 76% considering DRE and 70% considering PSA. The main barriers to screening included the dread of receiving distressing outcomes (48%) and a lack of understanding about the screening procedure (54%). The study identified key factors affecting the intention to undergo a prostate cancer screening. Regarding DREs, these factors included the perceived danger of the illness and prior information from doctors about prostate conditions. When it came to the intention to undergo screening through the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), determinants included the perceived threat of the disease, one's general health perception, and prior information from doctors about prostate-related issues. Additionally, a significant proportion of participants believed that prostate cancer was not a serious illness (56%) and 57% thought DRE was embarrassing. CONCLUSIONS The participants displayed a low willingness to get screened for prostate cancer. Implementing interventions that focus on increasing awareness of the disease and its associated risks could potentially reduce the barriers and boost participation in prostate cancer screening.
Tunable Lumped Element Filters With BST Thin-Film Varactors

Tunable lumped element filter topologies are discussed based on ferroelectric thin-film varactors. The design methodology for the proposed filter topologies relies on already known techniques and is enhanced with the tuning functionality by introducing the Barium-Strontium-Titanate (BST) varactors. Prototype circuits of a lowpass and a bandstop filter were fabricated and the measurement results showed good agreement to the corresponding calculated data. The lowpass prototype achieves a continuous tuning range from 1.5 GHz to 1.9 GHz. The highest measured passband insertion loss is about 4 dB and the input matching is better than -15dB for all bias states. The implemented bandstop filter allows a continuous tuning of the notch frequency from 1.5 GHz to 2.1 GHz with a minimum attenuation of 17 dB.
How modular structure can simplify tasks on networks: parameterizing graph optimization by fast local community detection

By considering the task of finding the shortest walk through a Network, we find an algorithm for which the run time is not as O(2n), with n being the number of nodes, but instead scales with the number of nodes in a coarsened network. This coarsened network has a number of nodes related to the number of dense regions in the original graph. Since we exploit a form of local community detection as a preprocessing, this work gives support to the project of developing heuristic algorithms for detecting dense regions in networks: preprocessing of this kind can accelerate optimization tasks on networks. Our work also suggests a class of empirical conjectures for how structural features of efficient networked systems might scale with system size.
Review of Binaural Processing With Asymmetrical Hearing Outcomes in Patients With Bilateral Cochlear Implants

Bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs) result in several benefits, including improvements in speech understanding in noise and sound source localization. However, the benefit bilateral implants provide among recipients varies considerably across individuals. Here we consider one of the reasons for this variability: difference in hearing function between the two ears, that is, interaural asymmetry. Thus far, investigations of interaural asymmetry have been highly specialized within various research areas. The goal of this review is to integrate these studies in one place, motivating future research in the area of interaural asymmetry. We first consider bottom-up processing, where binaural cues are represented using excitation-inhibition of signals from the left ear and right ear, varying with the location of the sound in space, and represented by the lateral superior olive in the auditory brainstem. We then consider top-down processing via predictive coding, which assumes that perception stems from expectations based on context and prior sensory experience, represented by cascading series of cortical circuits. An internal, perceptual model is maintained and updated in light of incoming sensory input. Together, we hope that this amalgamation of physiological, behavioral, and modeling studies will help bridge gaps in the field of binaural hearing and promote a clearer understanding of the implications of interaural asymmetry for future research on optimal patient interventions.
Neurourology and Urodynamics

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Medical Center, Rusk Institute, New York, New York Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine, New York, New York Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwell Health, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
New Antithrombotic Drugs in Acute Coronary Syndromes : Τhe Role of Fondaparinux and Bivalirudin in Reducing Major Hemorrhages and Mortality

The net clinical benefit of any antithrombotic drug for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is described by its favorable effects on major outcomes (mortality, reinfarction, stroke) and its unfavorable effects on bleeding. Traditionally, with most antithrombotic therapies an increased hemorrhagic risk is accepted in order to achieve better efficacy. Recently, the importance of bleeding as an adverse outcome has received wide attention. Major bleeding in ACS is not rare. In GRACE, the multinational registry of ACS, 4% of patients with unstable angina, STEMI or non-STEMI had a major hemorrhage. In-hospital mortality was 18.6% in those patients who experienced major bleeding versus only 5.1% in those without such an adverse event. What is more interesting is the fact that the appearance of a non-fatal major bleeding event in hospital increases the long-term risk of death and carries a similar prognostic significance to re-infarction. The odds ratio (OR) for 6-month mortality is 5.6 for a patient with re-infarction in hospital and 4.5 for a patient with major hemorrhage in hospital [1]. The antithrombin drugs that are commonly used in the treatment of ACS are unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). Both are indirect thrombin inhibitors (requiring antithrombin-III) with anti-Xa and anti-II properties. Both have proved to be effective in reducing death or myocardial infarction in randomized clinical trials with a small and acceptable increase in major bleedings. Consequently they both have a class I indication in current practice guidelines [2]. Enoxaparin has gained popularity because of its practicality. A meta-analysis of trials comparing enoxaparin with UFH showed similar mortality (3 vs 3%), marginally less re-infarction (10.1 vs 11%), with no increase in major bleeding; RR 1.04) [3]. Two newer antithrombins have recently been tested for efficacy and safety in the treatment of ACS. Fondaparinux is a synthetic pentasacharide with exclusive anti-Xa properties. It is an indirect antithrombin (like the LMWH) with excellent bioavailability, longer half life (once daily subcutaneous administration), resistance to platelet factor 4 and no thrombocytopenia risk. OASIS-5 randomized 20,000 patients with ACS to enoxaparin 1 mg/Kg twice daily or fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily [4]. The composite end point of death, infarction, refractory ischemia at day was identical in the two treatment groups (HR 1.01). However, major bleeding events were halved with fondaparinux (2.1% vs 4%; p<0.00001). At 6 months, mortality was significantly lower with fondaparinux (5.6% vs 6.3%; p=0.037). This reduction is mainly driven by the early avoidance of major bleeding events. AtHENs cArDIOLOGY UPDAtE 2008
Effect of Packaging Materials and Storage Environment on Fungal Growth and Shelf Life of Local Bread (Madiga) in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Madiga is a local bread produced from composite wheat flour. It is one of the local bakery products that has become an important staple food that is consumed among the people of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria because of its sweet taste and low cost. This study focused on identifying the fungi associated with the spoilage of madiga and the effect of packaging material and storage temperature on fungi growth and shelf life of madiga. Six (6) samples of madiga bread were obtained from a local bakery and packaged in aluminum foil, cling film and polyethylene bags. These were stored at room temperature and refrigeration temperature. Several fungi were isolated including Mucorsp. , Aspergillus sp. , Fusarium sp. , Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. using the spread plate method. Fungal count ranged from 1.8 x 104CFU/g to 8.5 x 108CFU/g, with Mucorsp. recording the highest occurrence at 40% while Fusarium sp. recorded the least occurrence at 6.6%. After six days, of the packaging material used for the storage of madiga bread, the samples packaged in cling film and stored at room temperature showed the lowest fungal count at 1.4 x 107CFU/g, thus suggesting that this is best material and temperature for the storage of madiga bread.
Placeholder: Not to be reviewed (Data fusion contest 2017)

This is a placeholder for the invited session presenting the results of the Data Fusion Contest 2017. Papers in the session do not enter the usual review process. Instead, winners of the 2017 Data Fusion Contest will write 4-page papers evaluated by the Contest Committee, that will be submitted as camera-ready papers in due date. So, DO NOT REVIEW THIS PAPER. If by mistake it enters the usual review process, please contact Devis Tuia (devis.tuia@geo.uzh.ch) and Bertrand Le Saux (bertrand.le_saux@onera.fr).
Coordination of gaze and speech in communication between children with hearing impairment and normal-hearing peers.

PURPOSE To investigate gaze behavior during communication between children with hearing impairment (HI) and normal-hearing (NH) peers. METHOD Ten HI-NH and 10 NH-NH dyads performed a referential communication task requiring description of faces. During task performance, eye movements and speech were tracked. Using verbal event (questions, statements, back channeling, and silence) as the predictor variable, group characteristics in gaze behavior were expressed with Kaplan-Meier survival functions (estimating time to gaze-to-partner) and odds ratios (comparing number of verbal events with and without gaze-to-partner). Analyses compared the listeners in each dyad (HI: n = 10, mean age = 12;6 years, mean better ear pure-tone average = 33.0 dB HL; NH: n = 10, mean age = 13;7 years). RESULTS Log-rank tests revealed significant group differences in survival distributions for all verbal events, reflecting a higher probability of gaze to the partner's face for participants with HI. Expressed as odds ratios (OR), participants with HI displayed greater odds for gaze-to-partner (ORs ranging between 1.2 and 2.1) during all verbal events. CONCLUSIONS The results show an increased probability for listeners with HI to gaze at the speaker's face in association with verbal events. Several explanations for the finding are possible, and implications for further research are discussed.
Control and Cybernetics Variational Formalism Applied to Control of Autonomous Switching Systems

The formalism of the calculus of variations is applied to determine an optimal control of a class of Hybrid Dynamical Systems. This class consists of autonomous switching systems where jumps of the state are taken into account. It is shown that model switching involves discontinuities in the adjoint state of the system. The expression of the gradient of the cost function, with respect to the control, allows for the calculation of an optimal control by implementing a descent method. An illustrative linear quadratic example is given, which allows to conclude that the method can be easily implemented.
Diffuse coronary artery ectasia in a patient with left main coronary artery trifurcation

The term coronary ectasia is reserved to describe a diffuse dilatation of coronary artery segments that have a diameter that exceeds the size of normal adjacent coronary segments by 1.5 times. The occurrence of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) ranges from 3% to 8% in the group of patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography. The CAE is associated with traditional risk factors and often co-exists with coronary atherosclerosis, which suggests that ectasia may represent an advanced form of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, there is a lack of consensus on the clinical implications and management of patients in whom the occurrence of CAE is observed, especially in patients without concomitant obstructive atherosclerosis. Here, we present a rare case of a 62-year-old patient with multiple CAEs and left main trifurcation.
New horizons for newborn brain protection: enhancing endogenous neuroprotection

Intrapartum-related events are the third leading cause of childhood mortality worldwide and result in one million neurodisabled survivors each year. Infants exposed to a perinatal insult typically present with neonatal encephalopathy (NE). The contribution of pure hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) to NE has been debated; over the last decade, the sensitising effect of inflammation in the aetiology of NE and neurodisability is recognised. Therapeutic hypothermia is standard care for NE in high-income countries; however, its benefit in encephalopathic babies with sepsis or in those born following chorioamnionitis is unclear. It is now recognised that the phases of brain injury extend into a tertiary phase, which lasts for weeks to years after the initial insult and opens up new possibilities for therapy. There has been a recent focus on understanding endogenous neuroprotection and how to boost it or to supplement its effectors therapeutically once damage to the brain has occurred as in NE. In this review, we focus on strategies that can augment the body's own endogenous neuroprotection. We discuss in particular remote ischaemic postconditioning whereby endogenous brain tolerance can be activated through hypoxia/reperfusion stimuli started immediately after the index hypoxic-ischaemic insult. Therapeutic hypothermia, melatonin, erythropoietin and cannabinoids are examples of ways we can supplement the endogenous response to HI to obtain its full neuroprotective potential. Achieving the correct balance of interventions at the correct time in relation to the nature and stage of injury will be a significant challenge in the next decade.
Recent Advances in Biosensor Technology for Potential Applications – An Overview

Imperative utilization of biosensors has acquired paramount importance in the field of drug discovery, biomedicine, food safety standards, defense, security, and environmental monitoring. This has led to the invention of precise and powerful analytical tools using biological sensing element as biosensor. Glucometers utilizing the strategy of electrochemical detection of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide using immobilized glucose oxidase electrode seeded the discovery of biosensors. Recent advances in biological techniques and instrumentation involving fluorescence tag to nanomaterials have increased the sensitive limit of biosensors. Use of aptamers or nucleotides, affibodies, peptide arrays, and molecule imprinted polymers provide tools to develop innovative biosensors over classical methods. Integrated approaches provided a better perspective for developing specific and sensitive biosensors with high regenerative potentials. Various biosensors ranging from nanomaterials, polymers to microbes have wider potential applications. It is quite important to integrate multifaceted approaches to design biosensors that have the potential for diverse usage. In light of this, this review provides an overview of different types of biosensors being used ranging from electrochemical, fluorescence tagged, nanomaterials, silica or quartz, and microbes for various biomedical and environmental applications with future outlook of biosensor technology.
Direct manipulation for comprehensible, predictable and controllable user interfaces

Direct manipulation user interfaces have proven their worth over two decades, but they are still in their youth. Dramatic opportunities exist to develop direct manipulation programming to create end-user programming tools, dynamic queries to perform information search in large databases, and information visualization to support network database browsing. Direct manipulation depends on visual representation of the objects and actions of interest, physical . actions or pointing instead of complex syntax, and rapid incremental reversible operations whose effect on the object of interest is immediately visible. This strategy can lead to user interfaces that are comprehensible, predictable and controllable. Direct manipulation interfaces are seen as more likely candidates to influence advanced user interfaces than adaptive, autonomous, intelligent agents. User control and responsibility are highly desirable. Note: This paper is adapted, with permission of the publisher, from the forthcoming book: Designing the User Znte~ace: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction (3rd Edition), Addison Wesley, Reading, MA (1997).
Efficient Authorization in Delegation Chains with Strong Non-Repudiation

In an organization, it is a common practice for a user (the delegator) to delegate some rights, in particular the signing right, to another user (the delegate). From the perspective of digital signature, a secure scheme is required to handle the delegation process so that the authorization as well as the signature of the delegate can be verified efficiently. In general, delegation can occur more than one level, thus forming a delegation chain. Among the existing approaches, delegation certificate [1] is a popular technique for performing delegation and handling chained delegation. However, it is not scalable because the verification of authorization is inefficient. In this paper, we extend Kim et al.'s proxy signature [6], which only handles one level of delegation, to support efficient verification for a delegation chain. We first show that a straight-forward extension of Kim et al.'s scheme does not support strong non-repudiation. Wepropose a possible way to modify the scheme to support the property.
The Tidal Model of Mental Health Recovery and Reclamation: Application in Acute Care Settings

The development, over the last decade, of the Tidal Model of Mental Health Recovery and Reclamation is described, and a summary of the application of the various Tidal processes of care is provided. Studies of evaluations of the Tidal Model within acute care settings are summarised and the potential contribution that the model makes to the development of person-centred care, within acute settings, is discussed.
Graph Neural Networks for Treatment Effect Prediction

Estimating causal effects in e-commerce tends to involve costly treatment assignments which can be impractical in large-scale settings. Leveraging machine learning to predict such treatment effects without actual intervention is a standard practice to diminish the risk. However, existing methods for treatment effect prediction tend to rely on training sets of substantial size, which are built from real experiments and are thus inherently risky to create. In this work we propose a graph neural network to diminish the required training set size, relying on graphs that are common in e-commerce data. Specifically, we view the problem as node regression with a restricted number of labeled instances, develop a two-model neural architecture akin to previous causal effect estimators, and test varying message-passing layers for encoding. Furthermore, as an extra step, we combine the model with an acquisition function to guide the creation of the training set in settings with extremely low experimental budget. The framework is flexible since each step can be used separately with other models or policies. The experiments on real large-scale networks indicate a clear advantage of our methodology over the state of the art, which in many cases performs close to random underlining the need for models that can generalize with limited labeled samples to reduce experimental risks.
Causal-StoNet: Causal Inference for High-Dimensional Complex Data

With the advancement of data science, the collection of increasingly complex datasets has become commonplace. In such datasets, the data dimension can be extremely high, and the underlying data generation process can be unknown and highly nonlinear. As a result, the task of making causal inference with high-dimensional complex data has become a fundamental problem in many disciplines, such as medicine, econometrics, and social science. However, the existing methods for causal inference are frequently developed under the assumption that the data dimension is low or that the underlying data generation process is linear or approximately linear. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel causal inference approach for dealing with high-dimensional complex data. The proposed approach is based on deep learning techniques, including sparse deep learning theory and stochastic neural networks, that have been developed in recent literature. By using these techniques, the proposed approach can address both the high dimensionality and unknown data generation process in a coherent way. Furthermore, the proposed approach can also be used when missing values are present in the datasets. Extensive numerical studies indicate that the proposed approach outperforms existing ones.