Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Living donor liver transplantation and hepatitis C

Preliminary results indicate that living donor liver transplantation patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop earlier and more severe recurrence than their cadaveric counterparts. The mechanisms underlying this observation are unknown, but could include hepatic regeneration, differences in living donor liver transplantation recipient demographics, immune homology between donor and recipients, or other factors not previously considered. The optimum clinical approach is to only consider living donor liver transplantation in HCV-infected recipients as a life-saving procedure and to attempt to eradicate HCV before transplantation to prevent recurrent infection.
Quantification of the effects of antibodies on the extra- and intracellular dynamics of Salmonella enterica

Antibodies are known to be essential in controlling Salmonella infection, but their exact role remains elusive. We recently developed an in vitro model to investigate the relative efficiency of four different human immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in modulating the interaction of the bacteria with human phagocytes. Our results indicated that different IgG subclasses affect the efficacy of Salmonella uptake by human phagocytes. In this study, we aim to quantify the effects of IgG on intracellular dynamics of infection by combining distributions of bacterial numbers per phagocyte observed by fluorescence microscopy with a mathematical model that simulates the in vitro dynamics. We then use maximum likelihood to estimate the model parameters and compare them across IgG subclasses. The analysis reveals heterogeneity in the division rates of the bacteria, strongly suggesting that a subpopulation of intracellular Salmonella, while visible under the microscope, is not dividing. Clear differences in the observed distributions among the four IgG subclasses are best explained by variations in phagocytosis and intracellular dynamics. We propose and compare potential factors affecting the replication and death of bacteria within phagocytes, and we discuss these results in the light of recent findings on dormancy of Salmonella.
Parameter-optimized Three-step Commutation Method for the Reduction of Vibration and Acoustic Noise in Switched Reluctance Motor

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have a series of advantages prior to other type motors, while the problems of considerable vibration and acoustic noise limit its application. For the radial vibration of stator is the primary origin of the acoustic noise of SRMs, how to reduce the radial vibration of SRMs is the effective way to the research of low acoustic noise. Recently many control methods are proposed to decrease the radial vibration of SRMs, such as the two-step commutation method and the three-step commutation method. The effects of vibration reduction of these methods strongly depend on the values of the time parameters. The design of the time parameters of the two-step commutation method has been reported, whereas that of the time parameters of the three-step commutation method has not. A parameter-optimized three-step commutation method for the purpose of reducing the radial vibration of SRMs is presented in this paper, considering both the case of the single-mode vibration and the case of the multi-mode vibration. The simulation results and test results verify the validity of the new approach.
Antiviral Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific Small Interfering RNAs against Targets Conserved in Select Neurotropic Viral Strains

ABSTRACT RNA interference, a natural biological phenomenon mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), has been demonstrated in recent studies to be an effective strategy against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In the present study, we used 21-bp chemically synthesized siRNA duplexes whose sequences were derived from the gp41 gene, nef, tat, and rev regions of viral RNA. These sequences are conserved in select neurotropic strains of HIV-1 (JR-FL, JR-CSF, and YU-2). The designed siRNAs exerted a potent antiviral effect on these HIV-1 strains. The antiviral effect was mediated at the RNA level (as observed by the down-regulation of the HIV-1-specific spliced transcript generating a 1.2-kbp reverse transcription [RT]-PCR product) as well as viral assembly on the cell membrane. Spliced transcripts (apart from the most abundant transcript generating a 1.2-kbp RT-PCR product) arising from an unspliced precursor likely contributed, albeit to a lesser extent, to the antiviral effect. The resultant progeny viruses had infectivities similar to that of input virus. We therefore conclude that these siRNAs interfere with the processing of the unspliced transcripts for the gp41 gene, tat, rev, and nef, eventually affecting viral assembly and leading to the overall inhibition of viral production. Apart from using the gp41 gene as a target, the conservation of each of these targets in the above-mentioned viral strains, as well as several primary isolates, would enable these siRNAs to be used as potent antiviral tools for investigations with cells derived from the central nervous system in order to evaluate their therapeutic potential and assess their utility in inhibiting HIV-1 neuropathogenesis and neuroinvasion.
IXE at the TREC 2005 Terabyte Task

The TREC Terabyte task provides an opportunity to analyze scalability issues in document retrieval systems. I describe how to overcome some of these issues and in particular improvements to the IXE search engine in order to achieve higher precision while maintaining good retrieval performance. A new algorithm has been introduced to handle OR queries efficiently. A proximity factor is also computed and added to the relevance score obtained by the PL2 document weighting model: several experiments have been performed to tune its parameters. By tuning also other parameters used in relevance ranking, IXE achieved second best overall P@10 score, combined with the fastest reported retrieval speed.
Extraction of Process Model Parameters Based on Distributed Genetic Algorithms

In this paper, we present a GA (Genetic Algorithm) application for process model calibration. We propose a distributed GA-based calibration technique combined with the traditional local optimization algorithm, which reduces calibration time considerably. Experimental results on a PC cluster system (eight PCs) demonstrate that the calibration of 144 parameters can be completed within a few minutes, although this would typically take a human expert a few days. GA can, therefore, be a practical and robust tool for process/device calibration.
Overlapping Interval Differences-Based Fast Intra Mode Decision for H.264/AVC

An efficient and fast mode decision algorithm for H.264/AVC Intra prediction is proposed in this paper. Overlapping interval differences (OID) are calculated in the domain composed of samples of current block and reconstructed samples of neighboring blocks. The OID can represent the direction error of each prediction mode. Smaller direction error means that the corresponding prediction mode will be considered as the final selection with high probability by rate-distortion optimization (RDO). So this method adopts a subset of the candidate modes instead of all to implement the efficient and fast encoding. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme can reduce about 30% computational complexity with negligible degradation of video quality and compression efficiency. Compared with other approaches in the literature, the proposed algorithm also shows better performance.
A Comparison of Five Variable Weighting Procedures

an estimate of the multiple correlation coefficient in the population from which the sample was drawn, and the sample beta weights are taken as estimates of the population beta weights. It is these population parameters which are usually of interest, and not the sample statistics in and of themselves. In spite of the fact that this technique is so widely used, the situation seems little improved from what it was 20 years ago when Cureton (1950) wrote: &dquo;It is doubtful that any other statistical techniques have been so generally and widely misused and misinterpreted in educational research as have those of multiple correlation (p. 690). &dquo; Nor is there any reason to expect improvement in this situation, and indeed, the ready availability of standard computer regression programs may be making it worse. All too often the nature of the data used, or the size of the sample employed, is not satisfactory for multiple regression purposes.
Dewlap Color Variation Based on Pterin and Carotenoid Pigments in Three Subspecies of Anolis jubar of the Cuban Southern Coast

Dewlap coloration of anoles is diverse and both carotenoid and pterin pigments play a role in generating this color variation. In the present study, we examined the carotenoid and pterin concentrations responsible for generating color variability in the proximal, central, and marginal dewlap sections in three subspecies of Anolis jubar of the Cuban southern coast (A. j. oriens, A. j. maisiensis, and A. j. albertschwartzi). With the exception of pterins—likely drosopterins—(entirely absent in A. j. albertschwartzi and in the scales proximal to the dewlap base in the three subspecies), the dewlap colors were produced by the combination of the two pigment classes. Carotenoid levels differed by section in A. j. oriens and A. j. maisiensis, being highest in the central section of dewlap. Anolis j. oriens had higher pterin concentration than A. j. maisiensis in both central and marginal sections. Carotenoid concentrations were significantly higher than pterin concentrations, excepting the central section of A. j. oriens, in which no significant differences were found between pigments. Our findings demonstrate subspecies-level variation in dewlap pigmentation in Cuban A. jubar and have implications for cellular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic variation.
The psychology of creativity : moods, minds, and motives

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Iterative Image Reconstruction Methods in Cone Beam CT Applied to Phantom and Clinical Data

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) enables a volumetric image reconstruction from 2D projection data. In CBCT reconstruction, iterative methods of image reconstruction offer the potential to generate high quality images and would be an advantage especially for sparse data sets. CBCT image reconstruction software has been developed based on Multi-Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS) tomography toolbox. In this paper, we present a comparative study of SIRT and ART algorithms, developed in MIDAS platform. The results will be shown using phantom and clinical patient data.
On the bichromatic k-set problem

We study a bichromatic version of the well-known <i>k-set problem</i>: given two sets <i>R</i> and <i>B</i> of points of total size <i>n</i> and an integer <i>k</i>, how many subsets of the form (R∩h)∪(B\ h) can have size exactly <i>k</i> over all halfspaces h? In the dual, the problem is asymptotically equivalent to determining the worst-case combinatorial complexity of the <i>k-level</i> in an arrangement of <i>n halfspaces. </i> Disproving an earlier conjecture by Linhart (1993), we present the first nontrivial upper bound for all <i>k</i> ≪ n in two dimensions: O(<i>nk</i><sup>1/3</sup> + n<sup>5/6--∈</sup><i>k</i><sup>2/3+2∈</sup> + <i>k</i><sup>2</sup>) for any fixed ∈ > 0. In three dimensions, we obtain the bound O(<i>nk</i><sup>3/2</sup> +n<sup>0.5034</sup><i>k</i><sup>2.4932</sup> + <i>k</i><sup>3</sup>). Incidentally, this also implies a new upper bound for the original k-set problem in four dimensions: O(n<sup>2</sup>k<sup>3/2</sup>+n<sup>1.5034</sup><i>k</i><sup>2.4932</sup>+nk<sup>3</sup>), which improves the best previous result for all <i>k</i> ≪ n<sup>0.923</sup>. Extensions to other cases, such as arrangements of disks, are also discussed.
On Detecting Port Scanning using Fuzzy Based Intrusion Detection System

Intrusion detection is a mechanism used to detect various attacks on a wired or wireless network. Port scanning is one of the dangerous attacks that intrusion detection tries to detect. Snort, a famous network intrusion detection system (NIDS), detects a port scanning attack by combining and analyzing various traffic parameters. Because these parameters cannot be easily combined using a mathematical formula, fuzzy logic can be used to combine them; fuzzy logic can also reduce the number of false alarms. This paper presents a novel approach, based on fuzzy logic, to detect port scanning attacks. A fuzzy logic controller is designed and integrated with Snort in order to enhance the functionality of port scanning detection. Experiments are carried out in both wired and wireless networks. The results show that applying fuzzy logic adds to the accuracy of determining bad traffic. Moreover, it gives a level of degree for each type of port scanning attack.
Approximate scaling relation for the anharmonic electron-phonon problem

An approximate scaling relation is found for the transition temperature to a charge-density-wave instability in the anharmonic electron-phonon problem, which maps a wide range of interaction strengths, anharmonicities, and phonon frequencies onto a common functional form. The relation employs the wave-function renormalization parameter and is valid even for systems that are not Fermi liquids.
Itch and pain

ABSTRACT: The discovery of a specialized neuronal pathway for itch has markedly improved our understanding of itch processing under physiological conditions. However, the complex interactions of pain and itch are only partly understood. This review focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in clinical and experimental itch conditions. There is emerging evidence that similar patterns of peripheral and central sensitization occur in chronic pain and chronic itch conditions. It will be of major interest to reveal whether the underlying mechanism for sensitization in the itch and pain pathways are also similar, as this might have major implications for therapy.
Evaluating the physical attractiveness of oneself and one's romantic partner.

The present study sought to extend recent work by examining individual and relationship variables that predict the love-is-blind bias, that is, a tendency to perceive one's romantic partner as more attractive than oneself. A sample of 113 men and 143 women completed a battery of tests that included various demographic, individual difference, and relationship-related measures. Results provided support for a love-is-blind bias, in that both women and men rated their romantic partners as significantly more attractive than themselves on overall attractiveness and the attractiveness of various body components. Results also showed that the Big Five personality factor of Extraversion, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and romantic love were positively correlated with the love-is-blind bias, whereas relationship length and playful love were negatively correlated with the bias. The results of this study are considered in relation to previous work on positive partner illusions.
Bioavailability of Microencapsulated Iron from Fortified Bread Assessed Using Piglet Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oral iron supplementation, in the form of fortified breads, on the growth performance, health, iron status parameters, and fecal metabolome of anemic piglets. A study was conducted on 24 hybrid (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) piglets. From day 44, the post-natal 12 piglets were supplemented with 100 g of one of two experimental breads, each fortified with 21 mg of ferrous sulphate, either encapsulated or not. After one week of oral supplementation, hematological parameters (hematocrit value, hemoglobin, and red blood cells) showed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Piglets fed with the fortified breads had higher iron concentrations in the heart, liver, and intestinal mucosa compared to anemic piglets fed with control bread. Gene expression of hepcidin, iron exporter ferroportin (IREG1), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), together with concentrations of plasma ferritin, showed no significant statistical differences between groups. Both fortified breads could be used as sources of bioavailable iron. The seven-day intervention trial showed microencapsulation to have only a mild effect on the effectiveness of iron supplementation in the form of fortified bread.
Depletion and accumulation of potassium in the extracellular clefts of cardiac Purkinje fibers during voltage clamp hyperpolarization and depolarization: experiments in sodium-free bathing media

Voltage clamp hyperpolarization and depolarization result in currents consistent with depletion and accumulation of potassium in the extracellular clefts o cardiac Purkinje fibers exposed to sodium-free solutions. Upon hyperpolarization, an inward current that decreased with time (id) was observed. The time course of tail currents could not be explained by a conductance exhibiting voltage-dependent kinetics. The effect of exposure to cesium, changes in bathing media potassium concentration and osmolarity, and the behavior of membrane potential after hyperpolarizing pulses are all consistent with depletion of potassium upon hyperpolarization. A declining outward current was observed upon depolarization. Increasing the bathing media potassium concentration reduced the magnitude of this current. After voltage clamp depolarizations, membrane potential transiently became more positive. These findings suggest that accumulation of potassium occurs upon depolarization. The results indicate that changes in ionic driving force may be easily and rapidly induced. Consequently, conclusions based on the assumption that driving force remains constant during the course of a voltage step may be in error.
Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal patients with high risk primary breast cancer. Results from the Danish adjuvant trials DBCG 77 C and DBCG 82 C.

The efficacy of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen was evaluated in protocol DBCG 77 C. Postmenopausal high risk patients (tumor greater than 5 cm, positive axillary nodes, or invasion to skin/fascia) were randomized after total mastectomy and axillary sampling to postoperative radiotherapy (control) or to radiotherapy plus treatment with tamoxifen (TAM), 30 mg daily for 1 year. A total of 1,716 patients entered the study. At 8 years of follow-up, (7 years median time of observation), we observed a significant increase of recurrence-free survival for the TAM treated group and a reduction in mortality, which is significant for patients less than 70 years of age. Retrospectively, an increased recurrence-free survival in TAM treated patients was significant in the following subgroups: tumor less than 5 cm, positive lymph nodes, anaplasia grade II and estrogen receptor level greater than 100 fmol/mg cytosol protein. In the subsequent trial (DBCG 82 C), 1,347 postmenopausal patients less than 70 years were randomized to one of the following 3 regimens: radiotherapy + tamoxifen, 30 mg daily for 1 year (TAM), TAM alone, or TAM + CMF (CMF i.v. day 1 every 4 weeks x 9). The survival is similar in the 3 groups at 4 years (2 years median time of observation).
Analysis of Nonlinearities on Coherent Ultradense WDM-PONs Using Volterra Series

This paper addresses transmission aspects on very high aggregate wavelength-division multiplexing based passive optical networks (WDM-PON). The ultradense WDM-PON system evaluated in this paper transports high-order modulation formats such as M-ary phase-shift keying (PSK) and M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) in which coherent detection is performed at the optical network unit (ONU), after transmission over 25 km, 60 km, and 100 km of standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The first part of this work covers the impact on the system's performance of the most relevant fiber nonlinearities such as self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (XPM) and four-wave mixing (FWM), and their interplay between transmission distance and modulation format. Using a Volterra series method allows estimating the error vector magnitude (EVM) of the received constellation related to different fiber nonlinearities. In a 32 × 625 Mbaud system spaced by 3 GHz (0.025 nm), the FWM to XPM ratio (F/X) varied from 25 up to 30 dB for phase-modulated signals (1.25 Gb/s-QPSK and 1.875 Gb/s-8PSK). On the other hand, this ratio ranged from 2.6 to 7.4 dB for amplitude-modulated signals (2.5 Gb/s-16QAM, 3.75 Gb/s-64QAM and 5 Gb/s-256QAM). After applying a frequency-allocation scheme at both transmitter and local oscillator lasers, some of the FWM crosstalk is mitigated by 2.4 to 3.5 dB. This EVM reduction confirms that increasing the transmission distance and the order of the constellation, the system's performance becomes limited by both interchannel FWM and XPM.
The Potential of Community-based Geotourism in Rural Development in South Africa: The Case of Witsie Cave Project

This paper examines the challenges confronting community-based geotourism as a tool for Local Economic Development in a poor rural community based in the Free State province of South Africa. Data were collected through interviews that were held with participants of the Witsie Cave project, local community leaders and municipal officials, as well as through the content analysis of the project’s documents. The results indicate the need to address a conundrum of intertwined endogenous and exogenous conditions as a strategy for enhancing the viability of community-based geotourism projects.