Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A modeling framework for the application of multi-paradigm simulation methods

Decisions about modeling and simulation (M&S) of real-world systems need to be evaluated prior to implementation. Discrete Event, System Dynamics, and Agent Based are three different modeling and simulation approaches widely applied to enhance decision-making of M&S of these systems. Combining and/or integrating these methods can provide solutions to a plethora of systems’ problems. However, current solutions and frameworks do not provide guidance for selecting and deploying M&S models. Hence, the aim of this work is to present a generic modeling framework for combining and/or integrating Discrete Event, System Dynamics, and Agent Based simulation approaches. The framework is termed multi-paradigm modeling framework (MPMF). In this paper, we describe the research methodology that was followed for the development of MPMF, the different phases of MPMF, and the generic relationships of forming and deploying multi-paradigm simulation models. Then we evaluate the framework by using it for the implementation of a universal task analysis simulation model (UTASiMo). The MPMF provided guidance on what methods need to be incorporated into the UTASiMo models, what information is exchanged among those models, and how these models are connected and interact with each other.
Software pirates: a criminal investigation

Computer program infringing materials are difficult to identify. There are common techniques to disguise the origin of copied codes. In order to decide on a legal basis whether a substantial part of copyright work has been taken, it is necessary to consider both the quality and quantity of the part taken. Various researches have carried out in relation to authorship identification and plagiarism identification. In a criminal case in Hong Kong, we used a common software to compare files contents and folders between a copyright work and the infringing copy instead of complex and technical metrics. We conclude that the source codes of the defendant started from the source codes of his previous employer using simple and easy to understand measurements. Though the magistrate was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt, the evidence in the case did not enable a scientific calculation in respect of the likelihood that a computer program may look like a derivative of another program by chance.
Sex/Gender-Based Pharmacology and Statin Utilization Amongst Elderly Patients with Diabetes.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the ten-year trends in utilization of bioequivalent doses of statin amongst elderly patients with diabetes according to sex/gender in Ontario, Canada. METHODS A cohort of patients with diabetes (>65 years) was constructed using the Ontario Diabetes Database Statin utilization data (2003-2012) was obtained from the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for both women and men. Bioequivalent doses for statins were calculated according to the dosing conversion factor in therapeutic interchange programs in clinical practice. Utilization pattern of high potency (Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin) vs. low potency statins (Simvastatin, Lovastatin, Fluvastatin, Pravastatin) were also analyzed. RESULTS The average bioequivalent Simvastatin utilization in 2003 was 29.22 mg/day for women and 30.35 mg/day for men. By 2008, this gap in dosing was higher for both women and men and by 2013 it had increased to 47.75 mg/day for women and 52.98 mg/day for men. For average number of day supply per year, there was no significant trend of changes over the 10-year period, although the use of high potency statins increased significantly (P<0.001) for both women and men. No differences were seen for sex/gender; either for the 10-year period or for each year. CONCLUSIONS There has been significant increase in bioequivalent statin utilization amongst elderly patients with diabetes in Ontario; for both men and women. In a publicly-funded healthcare system such as Ontario, there were no sex/gender differences in the utilization of high potency statin (Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin) amongst elderly patient with diabetes.
The Challenge of Micropollutants in Aquatic Systems

The increasing worldwide contamination of freshwater systems with thousands of industrial and natural chemical compounds is one of the key environmental problems facing humanity. Although most of these compounds are present at low concentrations, many of them raise considerable toxicological concerns, particularly when present as components of complex mixtures. Here we review three scientific challenges in addressing water-quality problems caused by such micropollutants. First, tools to assess the impact of these pollutants on aquatic life and human health must be further developed and refined. Second, cost-effective and appropriate remediation and water-treatment technologies must be explored and implemented. Third, usage and disposal strategies, coupled with the search for environmentally more benign products and processes, should aim to minimize introduction of critical pollutants into the aquatic environment.
The Effects of Crushed Ice Ingestion Prior to Steady State Exercise in the Heat.

This study examined the physiological effects of crushed ice ingestion before steady state exercise in the heat. Ten healthy males with age (23 ± 3 y), height (176.9 ± 8.7 cm), body-mass (73.5 ± 8.0 kg), VO2peak (48.5 ± 3.6 mL∙kg∙min-1) participated in the study. Participants completed 60 min of cycling at 55% of their VO2peak preceded by 30 min of precooling whereby 7 g∙kg-1 of thermoneutral water (CON) or crushed ice (ICE) was ingested. The reduction in Tc at the conclusion of precooling was greater in ICE (-0.9 ± 0.3 °C) compared with CON (-0.2 ± 0.2 °C) (p £ .05). Heat storage capacity was greater in ICE compared with CON after precooling (ICE -29.3 ± 4.8 W∙m-2; CON -11.1 ± 7.3 W∙m-2, p < .05). Total heat storage was greater in ICE compared with CON at the end of the steady state cycle (ICE 62.0 ± 12.5 W∙m-2; CON 49.9 ± 13.4 W∙m-2, p < .05). Gross efficiency was higher in ICE compared with CON throughout the steady state cycle (ICE 21.4 ± 1.8%; CON 20.4 ± 1.9%, p < .05). Ice ingestion resulted in a lower thermal sensation at the end of precooling and a lower sweat rate during the initial stages of cycling (p < .05). Sweat loss, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion and thirst were similar between conditions (p > .05). Precooling with crushed ice led to improved gross efficiency while cycling due to an increased heat storage capacity, which was the result of a lower core temperature.
Predictors of Injury Severity for Inpatient Falls in Taiwan: ARetrospective Study

Background: Falls consist of one of the most frequently reported adverse hospital events. Little is known about the risk of severe injury for inpatients due to falls. The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with fall injury severity. Methods: We performed a retrospective study with subjects from a teaching hospital of central Taiwan and collected relevant data from the Adverse Event (AE) reporting system from 2008 to 2013. Results: A total of 498 patients who had fallen during hospitalization were enrolled in the study. We identified risk factors for severe injuries by logistic multiple regression analysis, medical units (P=0.000, P<0.05), age (P=0.031, P<0.05), lacking a companion (P=0.023, P<0.05), and frequent falls (P=0.023, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with the severity of the falls. The severity of the fall 4-5 times and the severity of the fall more than 6 times are almost the same. Single and recurrent falls resulted in different degrees of injury with a significant correlation between the frequency of falls and the injury severity. Conclusions: Severe injuries from falls are significantly correlated with ward units, number of falls, and the age. The severity of falls in psychiatric and rehabilitation ward patients was greater than that of patients in acute wards. The injury severity was also correlated with the number of falls. It may be possible to establish a fall prevention model that takes into account specific fall risk factors.
[Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor on the proliferation, migration and adhesion of human periodontal ligament stem cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) in vitro. METHODS Human PDLSC were cultured in vitro using tissue culture method.The cells were cultured and incubated with various concentrations of FGF-2 and VEGF [A:α-MEM with 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (control 1); B:A supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2; C:A supplemented with 10 µg/L VEGF; D:A supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2 and 10 µg/L VEGF; E:α-MEM with 10% FBS (control 2); F:E supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2; G:E supplemented with 10 µg/L VEGF; H:E supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2 and 10 µg/L VEGF]. Soluble tetrazolium salts assay was used to evaluate the proliferative capacity on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th d. Then the groups were changed according to result of the proliferation assay (control:α-MEM with 2% FBS; FGF-2 group:control supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2; VEGF:control supplemented with 10 µg/L VEGF; Combination group:control supplemented with 20 µg/L FGF-2 and 10 µg/L VEGF). The cell cycle, migration and adhesion capacities were evaluated using flow cytometer, soluble tetrazolium salts assay, cell adhesion assay and scratch wound-healing motility assay. RESULTS In 2% volume fraction serum containing medium, FGF-2 and VEGF did not stimulate the cell proliferation. However, in 10% serum condition, in groups treated with FGF-2 for 3,5 or 7 d, the A value was (1.22 ± 0.17, 2.15 ± 0.19, 2.72 ± 0.11) respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (0.76 ± 0.16, 1.25 ± 0.06, 1.64 ± 0.09) (P < 0.01) while lower than that in the group treated with FGF-2 and VEGF in combination on the 5 th and 7 th d (2.46 ± 0.17, 3.18 ± 0.27) ( P < 0.05). The A value in the VEGF group on the 5 th and 7 th d is higher than the control group while lower than the FGF-2 group (1.66 ± 0.05, 2.13 ± 0.13) (P < 0.05). Flow cytometer showed that the proliferation index in VEGF group [(34.3 ± 2.0)% ] were significantly lower than those in FGF-2 [(46.8 ± 3.2)%] group and (FGF-2+ VEGF) group [(45.0 ± 4.0)%] but higher than in the control group [(14.5 ± 1.7)%] (P < 0.01). The cell migration assay indicated that the group stimulated with FGF-2 showed no migration promoted effect. Cell adhesion assay showed that the ratio of the adhesive cells number to the original cells number is greater in the FGF-2 group (79 ± 4) than in the VEGF group (62 ± 4) (P < 0.05). Light microscope identified a better cellular morphology on the adhesive surface in the group with FGF-2 than groups without FGF-2. CONCLUSIONS Both FGF-2 and VEGF could simulate the proliferation of PDLSC in a dose dependent manner, and showed an synergistic effect. FGF-2 was more effective to promote the adhesive capacity of PDLSC compared with VEGF. VEGF could facilitate the migration of PDLSC to the wound side.
Correlation between flow cytometry and histologic findings: ten year experience in the investigation of lymphoproliferative diseases.

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the advantages of correlating flow cytometry immunophenotyping with the pathology/ immunohistochemistry of lymph nodes or nodules in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases. METHODS A retrospective study was carried out of 157 biopsy or fine-needle aspiration lymph nodes/ nodule specimens taken from 142 patients, from 1999 and 2009. The specimens were simultaneously studied with fow cytometry and pathology at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. The specimens were prepared in hematoxylin/eosin, Giemsa, or monoclonal antibody stained slides for detecting specific antibodies for the purposes of pathology/immunohistochemical analysis. The samples were hemolyzed and marked with different monoclonal antibody panels for different antigens in fow cytometry immunophenotyping. RESULTS The diagnostic results of pathology/immunohistochemical studies and flow cytometry immunophenotyping agreed in 115 patients (81%), corresponding to 127 specimens, as follows according to the pathologic diagnosis: 63 patients with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma; 26 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia; 5 patients with non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma; 4 patients with atypical lymphoid proliferation; 5 patients with a chronic granulomatous inflammatory process; 5 patients with a non-hematologic diagnosis; 2 patients with granulocytic sarcoma; 2 patients with thymoma; 1 patient with byphenotypic leukemia; 1 patient with kappa plasmocytoma; 1 patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Subtypes of lymphomas could be classified by associating the two techniques: 19 patients with follicular lymphoma; 15 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; 7 patients with small lymphocytic B-cell lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia; 3 patients with mantle cell lymphoma; 1 patient with Burkitt's lymphoma; 1 patient with MALT type lymphoma; 1 patient with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease; 2 patients with high grade non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma; 1 patient with low grade non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified; 1 patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma; and 12 patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma not otherwise specified. CONCLUSION Flow cytometry adds to the results of morphologic and immunohistochemical studies, facilitating a rapid and accurate diagnosis of lymphoproliferative diseases.
Alteration of the nasal responses to influenza virus by tobacco smoke

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to highlight recent data regarding the impact of exposure to tobacco smoke on influenza virus infection. This is timely because of the continuing pattern for influenza to cause epidemics and pandemics. Recent findingsExperimental animal studies suggest tobacco smoke increases severity of respiratory disease with influenza. The interaction is complex and dependent on dose and chronicity of both virus and smoke exposure. Smoke-induced oxidant stress and suppression of innate immunity are mechanistic factors leading to worse disease. Experiments using human respiratory cells show that tobacco smoke increases viral replication through mechanisms including suppression of antiviral pathways and altered cytokine patterns in cell types with central roles in mucosal innate immunity, such as epithelium, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. Studies also suggest a role for antioxidant strategies in reducing risk. Human volunteer studies using live attenuated influenza virus as a model appear to corroborate many of these findings. SummaryExposure to tobacco smoke remains extremely prevalent worldwide. Although avoidance of exposure is a primary goal, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying increased infection risk with tobacco smoke and other pollutant exposures, so that novel preventive or treatment strategies can be developed.
Regulation of deleted in liver cancer 1 tumor suppressor by protein–protein interactions and phosphorylation

The deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) tumor suppressor is an important RhoGTP activating protein (RhoGAP) that plays a crucial role in many types of human cancers. Small GTPases regulate normal cellular processes but aberrant expression and activation of GTPases contribute to tumorigenesis. RhoGAP suppresses Rho activity. DLC1's RhoGAP activity and the focal adhesion localization are critical to the tumor suppressor functions of DLC1. Frequent DLC1 underexpression is commonly seen in human cancers and has been ascribed to genomic deletion and epigenetic inactivation. Somatic mutation has been shown to deregulate the RhoGAP activity of DLC1. Deregulation of DLC1 in cells results in the elevation of active Rho. Compelling studies of the molecular mechanisms of DLC1 action have identified various interacting partners of DLC1 such as tensins and caveolin‐1, and revealed the associated signaling pathways. DLC1 has been shown to be a promiscuous interacting protein. Recent interest has also focused on the phosphorylation of DLC1. The upstream kinases such as PKA, PKB/Akt and PKC, and the effects of phosphorylation on the biological activities of DLC1 have been demonstrated. Although DLC1 is a RhoGAP, RhoGAP‐independent pathways have been involved via its interacting partners and upon phosphorylation regulation. Recent studies of DLC1 point to the complexity of the signaling pathways it regulates. This review summarizes the current understanding of the interacting potentials of DLC1 and phosphorylation of DLC1.
Audio Commons: bringing Creative Commons audio content to the creative industries

Significant amounts of user-generated audio content, such as sound effects, musical samples and music pieces, are uploaded to online repositories and made available under open licenses. Moreover, a constantly increasing amount of multimedia content, originally released with traditional licenses, is becoming public domain as its license expires. Nevertheless, the creative industries are not yet using much of all this content in their media productions. There is still a lack of familiarity and understanding of the legal context of all this open content, but there are also problems related with its accessibility. A big percentage of this content remains unreachable either because it is not published online or because it is not well organised and annotated. In this paper we present the Audio Commons Initiative, which is aimed at promoting the use of open audio content and at developing technologies with which to support the ecosystem composed by content repositories, production tools and users. These technologies should enable the reuse of this audio material, facilitating its integration in the production workflows used by the creative industries. This is a position paper in which we describe the core ideas behind this initiative and outline the ways in which we plan to address the challenges it poses.
Early Pulmonary Complications After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: Association With Cytomegalovirus Infection

Pulmonary complications resulting in high morbidity and mortality occur in a substantial proportion of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. We investigated the incidence, causes, and risk factors of pulmonary complications, early after HSCT in pediatric patients, and patient outcomes by retrospective analysis of patients who underwent HSCT at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between September 2003 and June 2007. A total of 145 patients were evaluated of whom 15 (10.3%) developed pulmonary complications. Eight patients were suspected to have infection-related pulmonary complications and 7 had noninfectious causes. In a multivariate analysis of allogeneic transplantation recipients, detection of cytomegalovirus antigenemia was significantly associated with the development of both pulmonary complications and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Eleven (73.3%) of the 15 patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, required mechanical ventilation and eventually died. Early use of methylprednisolone in 3 patients decreased the oxygenation index. Sixteen patients died due to treatment-related complications early after HSCT, and pulmonary complications accounted for a substantial portion of the mortality. Thus, improvement of prophylaxis and management for pulmonary complications is crucial to improve the overall outcome of HSCT. More aggressive prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection and judicious use of methylprednisolone at the appropriate time could be the means for such improvement.
Endotoxin biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: enzymatic incorporation of laurate before 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate

Unlike Escherichia coli, living cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can complete the fatty acylation of lipid A when the biosynthesis of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate (Kdo) is inhibited (R. C. Goldman, C. C. Doran, S. K. Kadam, and J. O. Capobianco, J. Biol. Chem. 263:5217-5233, 1988). In this study, we demonstrate the presence of a novel enzyme in extracts of P. aeruginosa that can transfer lauroyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) to a tetraacyl disaccharide-1,4'-bis-phosphate precursor of lipid A (termed lipid IVA) that accumulates in Kdo-deficient mutants of E. coli. Comparable E. coli extracts cannot transfer laurate from lauroyl-ACP to lipid IVA, only to (Kdo)2-lipid IVA (K. A. Brozek, and C. R. H. Raetz, J. Biol. Chem. 265:15410-15417, 1990). P. aeruginosa extracts do not utilize myristoyl- or R-3-hydroxymyristoyl-ACP instead of lauroyl-ACP to acylate lipid IVA. Laurate incorporation in P. aeruginosa extracts is dependent upon time, protein concentration, and the presence of Triton X-100 but is inhibited by lauroyl-coenzyme A. P. aeruginosa extracts transfer only one laurate to lipid IVA, whereas E. coli extracts can transfer two laurates to (Kdo)2-lipid IVA. These results demonstrate that incorporation of laurate into lipid A does not require prior attachment of Kdo in all gram-negative bacteria.
Herausforderungen des sozio-demographischen Wandels für die Wohnbauindustrie

Abstract Regional development is best understood as an assemblage of physical flows, such as ageing housing stocks, which demand physical and conceptual renewal; social aggregations, which change in age patterns and collective aspirations; economic organizations, which search profitable modes of capital accumulation. This article focuses on one possible assemblage and asks how the connection of changing social constructions of age, demographic trajectories, spatial patterns of the built environment and demographic segregation, and the decision-making processes of real estate investors can open up the potential to tackle the dissatisfactory housing situation of elderly people in the rental housing market. After a brief introduction into our area under investigation and our research problem, section two outlines the qualitative and quantitative methods we use to analyze both the demand and the supply in the rental housing market segment for elderly people. Furthermore, it introduces the investigation region.
Improving Hepatitis C Virus Screening Rates in Primary Care: A Targeted Intervention Using the Electronic Health Record

Purpose: With the advent of effective treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV), it has become a public health priority to increase the identification of HCV carriers and link them to systems of care. As a result, in 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all adults born between 1945 and 1965 should receive one-time testing for HCV. In response to this mandate, we sought an effective nonintrusive means to increase HCV screening rates in our busy primary care practices. Methods: We designed an HCV testing decision support module that was integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) and triggered an automatic test order for eligible patients at the time of visit. Rates of HCV screening for eligible patients were measured before and after implementation. Results: Hepatitis C virus screening rates increased by 254% after implementation of this tool. Conclusion: Incorporating a clinical reminder into the EHR effectively and appropriately increased the hepatitis C testing rates among primary care patients with no previous testing. Such tools can be an effective means to operationalize health system-wide testing efforts.