Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in NSAID users with gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVE Regarding the interaction of Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), we cannot accept unanimous conclusions in inducing gastric ulcer. We therefore evaluated the role of Helicobacter pylori and NSAIDs in inducing gastric ulcer. METHODS Dyspeptic patients receiving NSAIDs underwent endoscopic examination. Gastric ulcer formation and H. pylori status were investigated. Biopsy specimens from the antrum and lower body of the stomach were prepared for the rapid urease test and pathological evaluation. Anti-H. pylori antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Two hundred and twenty-six patients receiving NSAIDs (220 chronic and six on-demand users) underwent gastrofibrescopic examination. There were 110 patients with gastric ulcer and 111 non-ulcer patients with gastritis. The remaining five patients had neither. NSAID users with gastric ulcer showed a low prevalence of H. pylori compared with those without them [55/110 (50.0%) vs 79/111 (71.2%), P < 0.01]. The same tendency was seen when patients receiving low-dose aspirin and those with rheumatoid arthritis were analysed separately [13/29 (44.8%) vs 50/62 (80.6%), P < 0.01, and 11/33 (33.3%) vs 16/26 (61.5%), P < 0.06 with Yates' correction, respectively]. CONCLUSION Helicobacter pylori infection appeared to be a risk factor for developing gastritis, but we found no evidence that it increases gastric ulcer formation in NSAID users with dyspepsia.
Predicting the second caustic crossing in binary microlensing events

We fit binary lens models to the data covering the initial part of real microlensing events in an attempt to predict the time of the second caustic crossing. We use approximations during the initial search through the parameter space for light curves that roughly match the observed ones. Exact methods for calculating the lens magnification of an extended source are used when we refine our best initial models. Our calculations show that the reliable prediction of the second crossing can only be made very late, when the light curve has risen appreciably after the minimum between the two caustic crossings. The best observational strategy is therefore to sample as frequently as possible once the light curve starts to rise after the minimum.
A Multi-Relay Scheme for the Multi-Source Multi-Cast Network

A multi-relay scheme is developed for networks with multiple sources. By this scheme, each source is sent to its destination nodes via a multi-relay route, and the multiple multi-relay routes from the multiple sources can operate at the same time even if they intersect with each other, in the same spirit of the code-division multiple-access (CDMA). It is found that in the generalization to multiple sources, the backward decoding achieves higher rates than the sliding-window decoding. The corresponding achievable rate region is characterized. Potential applications of this scheme to sensor networks are discussed, where capacity results in certain scenarios are established
Multidimensional windows over arbitrary lattices and their application to FIR filter design

This paper presents some applications to FIR filter design of multi-D windows over arbitrary lattices and with arbitrary center of spatial symmetry. First, classic windows (such as Hamming, Blackman, etc.) are extended to windows over 1D and multi-D lattices with arbitrary spatial symmetry centers (which multirate applications sometimes require). Then the problem of obtaining a target frequency response with a good transition band from an ideal frequency response (made of a passband having constant gain and a stopband for which the gain is zero) is studied. A method to obtain a described target response using multi-D windows with application to the design of FIR filters is presented. Finally, a procedure for designing multi-D FIR filters by windowing is explained.
Anterior cerebral artery bypass for complex aneurysms: an experience with intracranial-intracranial reconstruction and review of bypass options.

OBJECT The authors describe their experience with intracranial-to-intracranial (IC-IC) bypasses for complex anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysms with giant size, dolichoectatic morphology, or intraluminal thrombus; they determine how others have addressed the limitations of ACA bypass; and they discuss clinical indications and microsurgical technique. METHODS A consecutive, single-surgeon experience with ACA aneurysms and bypasses over a 16-year period was retrospectively reviewed. Bypasses for ACA aneurysms reported in the literature were also reviewed. RESULTS Ten patients had aneurysms that were treated with ACA bypass as part of their surgical intervention. Four patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and 3 patients with mass effect symptoms from giant aneurysms; 1 patient with bacterial endocarditis had a mycotic aneurysm, and 1 patient's meningioma resection was complicated by an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm. One patient had his aneurysm discovered incidentally. There were 2 precommunicating aneurysms (A1 segment of the ACA), 5 communicating aneurysms (ACoA), and 3 postcommunicating (A2-A3 segments of the ACA). In situ bypasses were used in 4 patients (A3-A3 bypass), interposition bypasses in 4 patients, reimplantation in 1 patient (pericallosal artery-to-callosomarginal artery), and reanastomosis in 1 patient (pericallosal artery). Complete aneurysm obliteration was demonstrated in 8 patients, and bypass patency was demonstrated in 8 patients. One bypass thrombosed, but 4 years later. There were no operative deaths, and permanent neurological morbidity was observed in 2 patients. At last follow-up, 8 patients (80%) were improved or unchanged. In a review of the 29 relevant reports, the A3-A3 in situ bypass was used most commonly, extracranial (EC)-IC interpositional bypasses were the second most common, and reanastomosis and reimplantation were used the least. CONCLUSIONS Anterior cerebral artery aneurysms requiring bypass are rare and can be revascularized in a variety of ways. Anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, more than any other aneurysms, require a thorough survey of patient-specific anatomy and microsurgical options before deciding on an individualized management strategy. The authors' experience demonstrates a preference for IC-IC reconstruction, but EC-IC bypasses are reported frequently in the literature. The authors conclude that ACA bypass with indirect aneurysm occlusion is a good alternative to direct clip reconstruction for complex ACA aneurysms.
Caractérisation des proliférations nostocaléennes anciennes et futures via les akinètes présents dans les sédiments. Spécialité : Ecologie des systèmes aquatiques

Les akinetes sont des cellules de resistance produites par les cyanobacteries de l’ordre des Nostocales. Issues de la differenciation de cellules vegetatives, les akinetes sont capables de persister en surface des sediments pendant la periode hivernale puis de germer au printemps pour recoloniser la colonne d’eau. Le suivi des populations pelagiques et benthiques effectue pendant deux annees sur le lac d’Aydat a montre que les akinetes presents a la surface des sediments sont representatifs de la diversite et de l’abondance, des proliferations nostocaleennes passees. Leur capacite a persister dans les sediments sur de longues echelles de temps a permis de mettre en evidence la presence de cyanobacteries il y a plusieurs milliers d’annees. La presence recurrente d’akinetes dans les sediments jusqu’a la periode actuelle indique la persistance d’un niveau trophique eleve sur l’ensemble de l’histoire de ce lac. Parallelement, le potentiel toxique des akinetes, etudie via la detection des genes anaC et mcyA, a montre la co-occurrence de ces deux cyanotoxines des les premiers blooms cyanobacteriens, il y a plus de 6700 ans ainsi que la recurrence d’anaC, associe a Dolichospermum macrosporum, au moins sur les 30 dernieres annees. Par ailleurs, d’importantes differences de pourcentage d’integrite des akinetes ont ete observees en fonction des especes, variant en moyenne de 5 a 60% pour les deux especes dominantes, D. macrosporum et D. flos-aquae respectivement. Cette variabilite serait le reflet des interactions ecologiques survenues dans la colonne d’eau et traduirait des strategies ecologiques differentes. De meme, la capacite et le temps de germination semblent etre espece dependante, ce qui permettrait un etalement de la periode de recrutement en fonction des conditions environnementales. Malgre une perte globale de viabilite avec le temps, des akinetes enfouis depuis 1800 ans dans les sediments ont revele leur capacite a germer, confirmant l'importance de ces cellules de resistance dans la perennisation a long terme des proliferations nostocaleennes.
Investigation on PCB pad strength

In this paper, a pin pull test is introduced as an effective way to assess the PCB pad strength. The pad strength is evaluated by different level of strain, pad type, PCB life phase and accumulation effect of various stations. Finite element analysis (FEA) is employed to analyze whether the PCB material affects the pad strength. It is found that PCB pad strength is sensitive to the rework process, product station and thermal cycling. Meanwhile, it is confirmed that the pad strength will degrade with the increasing strain loaded on PCB. A suitable and safe strain limit related to PCB pad strength should be established for each PCBA manufacturing process. The pad cracking issue may be also improved by selecting pad type or changing a suitable material of PCB. Optimal design should be considered to minimize the risk of pad crack in PCB production. To contain the PCB cratering issue, the pin pull test described in this work is shown effective and low cost and could be used in the production line for either process monitoring or incoming quality control.
Beneficial effects of austemper post-treatment on tungsten carbide based wear coatings

A post-deposition austemper heat treatment has been found to have several beneficial effects on the properties of plasma sprayed, tungsten carbide-based wear coatings. Four different tungsten carbide-based coatings were plasma spray deposited onto AISI 5150 steel substrates and then heat treated using an austemper process. Compared to the as-deposited condition, x-ray analyses indicated that the percentage of the desirable WC phase was increased by the heat treatment, while the less desirable W{sub 2}C and other complex carbide phases were eliminated. Microscopic inspection of polished metallographic section showed a change in the coating/substrate bonding mechanism from mechanical to metallurgical bonding after heat treatment, and significant increases in coating hardness were also observed. When properly controlled, the heat treated coatings exhibited beneficial residual compressive stresses to varying degrees. As evidenced by improved performance in bending and impact tests, the heat treatment enhanced the durability of the wear coatings. Preliminary abrasive wear test results also indicate improved wear performance after the austemper heat treatment. 9 figs., 3 tabs. , 6 refs.
The microbial community ecology of various systems for the cultivation of algal biodiesel

114 Introduction . 115 Materials and Methods . 118 Site Description . 118 Sample Collection . 120 Water Chemistry . 120 Algal Cell Counts . 121 FAME Analysis . 121 DNA Extraction and Sequencing . 122 Bioinformatic Sequence and Community Analysis . 123 Statistical Analysis . 125 Results . 127 Water Chemistry . 127 Cell Number . 128 FAME . 129 Retention Time . 131 Community Structure and Diversity . 132 Diversity Estimates . 132 Archaeal Community Structure . 134 Bacterial Community Structure . 134 Eukaryotic Community Structure . 138 dsDNA Viruses Community Structure . 141 Community Structure and FAME . 145 Discussion . 147 Influential Environmental Factors on FAME . 149 Algae Taxa Potentially Responsible for Elevated FAME . 150 Ecologic Principles and the Functional Role of Interspecific Diversity on FAME . 152 Conclusion . 156 Funding . 157 Acknowledgements . 157 Conflict of Interest . 158 References . 159 5. CONCLUSION . 184 Knowledge Gaps and Areas for Future Research . 184 Understanding of Large Scale In Situ Community Ecology . 184 Ecologic Principles Specific to Algae . 185 Spectral Niche Theory . 185 Role of Viruses as Community Members . 186 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED Closing . 187 REFERENCES CITED . 192 APPENDICES . 218 APPENDIX A: Supporting Tables and Figures for Chapter 1 Introduction . 219 APPENDIX B: Supporting Tables and Figures for Chapter 3 Bacteria and Eukarya Community During Eutrophication and Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in the Alkaline Lake Velence, Hungary . 222 APPENDIX C: Supporting Tables and Figures for Chapter 4 Monitoring Community Ecology in Wastewater Treatment Lagoons for the Production of Algal Biodiesel . 225 APPENDIX D: Sources and Re-Sources: Importance of Nutrients, Resource Allocation, and Ecology in Microalgal Cultivation for Lipid Accumulation . 264
SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM : A POTENTIAL HEPATOPROTECTIVE AGENT

Background: Syzygium aromaticum is commonly known as clove. It is being used since centuries for different purposes in different parts of the world. Objective: To explore the effects of Syzygium Aromaticum, its effects on the liver enzymes. Methodology: This Randomized Control Trial was conducted in Postgraduate Laboratory and Animal House of ISRA University. 30 Healthy Rabbits weighing 2kg on average were divided into 3 equal groups. Group A was taken as control group having no intervention while group B was given paracetamol 500mg BD for 10 days followed by Syzygium Aromaticum powder 100mg BD for next 10 days. Group C was given paracetamol 500mg BD and Syzygium Aromaticum powder 100mg BD for 20 days. Blood samples were taken from ear lobes through 24 gauge canula for liver enzymes at days 1, 10 and 20 and analyzed in ISRA Laboratory. Mean and standard deviation were calculated and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16. Results: There was no rise in liver enzymes in group A at any stage of the study. Liver enzymes ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and LDH markedly increased in group B in initial 10 days but declined in next 10 days. There was no significant rise in liver enzymes in group C at any level of the study. Conclusion: Syzygium aromaticum is an effective natural hepatoprotective agent.
Partial data for the Calderon problem in two dimensions

We show in two dimensions that measuring Dirichlet data for the conductivity equation on an open subset of the boundary and, roughly speaking, Neumann data in slightly larger set than the complement uniquely determines the conductivity on a simply connected domain. The proof is reduced to show a similar result for the Schr\"odinger equation. Using Carleman estimates with degenerate weights we construct appropriate complex geometrical optics solutions to prove the results.
Restrictive ventilatory impairment is associated with poor outcome in patients with cT1aN0M0 peripheral squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Background Patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) of the lung sometimes have a comorbid pulmonary disease such as pulmonary emphysema or an interstitial lung disease (ILD), both of which negatively affect patient outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of patients in a multicenter database who underwent surgery for cT1aN0M0 peripheral SqCC lung cancer. Methods The medical records of a total of 228 eligible patients from seven institutions were reviewed to evaluate the impact of concomitant impaired pulmonary function and other clinicopathological factors on overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Results Six patients with positive or unclear tumor margins were excluded. Of the 222 remaining study patients, 42 (18.9%) and 97 (43.7%) patients were found to have coexisting restrictive or obstructive ventilatory impairment, respectively. Over a median follow-up period of 30.6 months, the 5-year OS and RFS were 69.0% and 62.6%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, ILDs identified on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test results indicating a restrictive ventilatory impairment, and wedge resection were found to be independent risk factors for poor OS. An increased level of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) (>1.5 ng/mL) and the same risk factors for poor OS were independent risk factors for recurrence. Among patients who underwent anatomical lung resection (lobectomy and segmentectomy, n=173), a restrictive ventilatory impairment was an independent risk factor for poor OS, and increased serum SCC-Ag level, ILDs on HRCT, and restrictive ventilatory impairment were independent risk factors for poor RFS by multivariate analysis. Factors such as visceral pleural invasion, and lymphatic or vascular invasion were not significantly associated with outcome. Conclusions A restrictive ventilatory impairment negatively affects the outcome of patients with cT1aN0M0 peripheral SqCC lung cancer.
Protein phosphatase 1 is essential for Greatwall inactivation at mitotic exit

Entry into mitosis is mediated by the phosphorylation of key cell cycle regulators by cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). In Xenopus embryos, the M‐phase‐promoting activity of Cdk1 is antagonized by protein phosphatase PP2A‐B55. Hence, to ensure robust cell cycle transitions, Cdk1 and PP2A‐B55 must be regulated so that their activities are mutually exclusive. The mechanism underlying PP2A‐B55 inactivation at mitotic entry is well understood: Cdk1‐activated Greatwall (Gwl) kinase phosphorylates Ensa/Arpp19, thereby enabling them to bind to and inhibit PP2A‐B55. However, the re‐activation of PP2A‐B55 during mitotic exit, which is essential for cell cycle progression, is less well understood. Here, we identify protein phosphatase PP1 as an essential component of the PP2A‐B55 re‐activation pathway in Xenopus embryo extracts. PP1 initiates the re‐activation of PP2A‐B55 by dephosphorylating Gwl. We provide evidence that PP1 targets the auto‐phosphorylation site of Gwl, resulting in efficient Gwl inactivation. This step is necessary to facilitate subsequent complete dephosphorylation of Gwl by PP2A‐B55. Thus, by identifying PP1 as the phosphatase initiating Gwl inactivation, our study provides the molecular explanation for how Cdk1 inactivation is coupled to PP2A‐B55 re‐activation at mitotic exit.
Nutrient Modification of the Innate Immune Response: A Novel Mechanism by Which Saturated Fatty Acids Greatly Amplify Monocyte Inflammation

Objective—Monocyte/macrophage inflammation is an important contributor to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies have suggested saturated fatty acids (SFA) induce monocyte inflammation in a Toll-like receptor-4–dependent manner, but recent data suggest SFA do not directly interact with Toll-like receptor-4. The present study tests the novel hypothesis that metabolism of SFA cooperatively amplifies Toll-like receptor-4–mediated inflammation. Methods and Results—THP-1 monocytes exposed to 100 &mgr;mol/L SFA in vitro for 16 hours followed by 1 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide demonstrated enhanced IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA and protein expression (≈3-fold higher than the sum of individual responses to SFA and lipopolysaccharide). SFA had similar effects on THP-1 macrophages and primary human monocytes. This amplified lipopolysaccharide response could be blocked by inhibition of SFA metabolism to ceramide and restored by cell-permeable ceramide. Both SFA and ceramide activated PKC-&zgr; and the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk, JNK, and p38. Inhibition of these pathways prevented the SFA-induced increase in cytokine expression. Conclusion—These results provide evidence for potent amplification of monocyte/macrophage innate immune responses by a novel pathway requiring metabolism of SFA to ceramide and activation of PKC-&zgr;/mitogen-activated protein kinases. These findings demonstrate how nutrient excess may modulate innate immune system activation and possibly contribute to development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Human-robot ensemble between robot thereminist and human percussionist using coupled oscillator model

This paper presents a novel synchronizing method for a human-robot ensemble using coupled oscillators. We define an ensemble as a synchronized performance produced through interactions between independent players. To attain better synchronized performance, the robot should predict the human's behavior to reduce the difference between the human's and robot's onset timings. Existing studies in such synchronization only adapts to onset intervals, thus, need a considerable time to synchronize. We use a coupled oscillator model to predict the human's behavior. Experimental results show that our method reduces the average of onset time errors; when we use a metronome, a tempo-varying metronome or a human drummer, errors are reduced by 38%, 10% or 14% on the average, respectively. These results mean that the prediction of human's behaviors is effective for the synchronized performance.
Predicting and Optimizing System Utilization and Performance via Statistical Machine Learning

The complexity of modern computer systems makes performance modeling an invaluable resource for guiding crucial decisions such as workload management, configuration management, and resource provisioning. With continually evolving systems, it is difficult to obtain ground truth about system behavior. Moreover, system management policies must adapt to changes in workload and configuration to continue making efficient decisions. Thus, we require data-driven modeling techniques that auto-extract relationships between a system’s input workload, its configuration parameters, and consequent performance. This dissertation argues that statistical machine learning (SML) techniques are a powerful asset to system performance modeling. We present an SML-based methodology that extracts correlations between a workload’s pre-execution characteristics or configuration parameters, and post-execution performance observations. We leverage these correlations for performance prediction and optimization. We present three success stories that validate the usefulness of our methodology on storage and compute based parallel systems. In all three scenarios, we outperform state-of-the-art alternatives. Our results strongly suggest the use of SML-based performance modeling to improve the quality of system management decisions.
The mammalian germline as a pluripotency cycle

Naive pluripotency refers to the capacity of single cells in regulative embryos to engender all somatic and germline cell types. Only germ cells – conventionally considered to be unipotent – can naturally re-acquire pluripotency, by cycling through fertilisation. Furthermore, primordial germ cells express, and appear to be functionally dependent upon, transcription factors that characterise the pluripotent state. We hypothesise that germ cells require pluripotency factors to control a de-restricted epigenome. Consequently, they harbour latent potential, as manifested in teratocarcinogenesis or direct conversion into pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Thus, we suggest that there exists an unbroken cycle of pluripotency, naive in the early epiblast and latent in the germline, that is sustained by a shared transcription factor network.