Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arterial Stiffness, Fatness, and Physical Fitness: Ready for Intervention in Childhood and Across the Life Course?

Arterial distensibility and its converse stiffness have come of age as physiological concepts1 and now as a target for intervention. The central hypothesis sustained so far is that an individual’s “arterial stiffness” measured as aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a convenient, integrated index of vascular pathology over a person’s life course, more precise and reliable than other risk factors individually. For example, blood pressure (BP), whether casual or 24 hour, is more sensitive to stimuli and, therefore, more variable. Arterial distensibility is in part dependent on BP, yet its prognostic power is because of its “independence” from BP, including pulse pressure.2 It appears to indicate the general burden of atherosclerotic disease and subclinical damage from multiple risk factors over time: the “wear and tear” of constant distension and recoil (part of “aging”), effects of smoking, lipid metabolism, (hyper)glycemia, ethnicity, how family history expresses itself, etc.3 European hypertension guidelines now include PWV as a recommended but optional measure. The relationship of arterial distensibility with cardiac function and structure, known as aorto-ventricular coupling, is tantalizing because, as a bioengineering feedback loop, cause and effect are still unclear. Many other key questions remain, most critically related to the natural history of arterial stiffness but also fundamental ones of basic structural biology in the vessel wall. A clue to the natural history of arterial stiffness is published in this issue of Hypertension , an Australian study of 9- to 10-year-old, generally prepubescent schoolchildren.4 The study shows a clear relationship among degree of body fat, physical fitness, and arterial stiffness, measured by carotid-femoral PWV. The link of PWV with fitness was not independent of body fat. Why should this article be of interest, being only cross-sectional, whereby association may well …
A Type System for Functional Imperative Programming (Technical Summary)

In this paper, we explore the design of a powerful type system that provides a general mechanism to encapsulate low-level imperative program fragments into type-safe functional abstractions without imposing any single-threadedness constraint. Although connuence is the responsibility of the user, the type system guarantees that data-structures exported out of the functional abstraction are fully polymorphic and non-mutable and therefore can be safely embedded within functional programs without disturbing their functionality. We present the static and the dynamic semantics of our system for a mini-language containing ML-like references. We describe the mechanism of converting mutable types into functional types and prove its soundness. Finally we discuss extensions to include arrays, tuples and general multi-level data-structures in our framework.
Weight Multispectral Reconstruction Strategy for Enhanced Reconstruction Accuracy and Stability With Cerenkov Luminescence Tomography

Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) provides a novel technique for 3-D noninvasive detection of radiopharmaceuticals in living subjects. However, because of the severe scattering of Cerenkov light, the reconstruction accuracy and stability of CLT is still unsatisfied. In this paper, a modified weight multispectral CLT (wmCLT) reconstruction strategy was developed which split the Cerenkov radiation spectrum into several sub-spectral bands and weighted the sub-spectral results to obtain the final result. To better evaluate the property of the wmCLT reconstruction strategy in terms of accuracy, stability and practicability, several numerical simulation experiments and in vivo experiments were conducted and the results obtained were compared with the traditional multispectral CLT (mCLT) and hybrid-spectral CLT (hCLT) reconstruction strategies. The numerical simulation results indicated that wmCLT strategy significantly improved the accuracy of Cerenkov source localization and intensity quantitation and exhibited good stability in suppressing noise in numerical simulation experiments. And the comparison of the results achieved from different in vivo experiments further indicated significant improvement of the wmCLT strategy in terms of the shape recovery of the bladder and the spatial resolution of imaging xenograft tumors. Overall the strategy reported here will facilitate the development of nuclear and optical molecular tomography in theoretical study.
Implementing Hardware Decision Tree Prediction: A Scalable Approach

Performance of data classification systems is one of the most important aspect when involved data volume, combined with classical computing approaches, does not match tight constraints on latency and throughput. Indeed, even though the classification accuracy of modern machine learning tools is very suitable for the adoption in many applications, they require many computational resources and elaboration time. In the literature, a huge effort has been done to define new architectures and several hardware implementations have been introduced. In this paper, we show a hardware implementation for the classification system based on the Decision Tree and we formally give a demonstration of its scalability in terms of required resources. At the end, with a significant amount of experimental evidences, we prove that the occupied area and power consumption have a linear behavior against the classification parameters.
Impaired respiration elicits SrrAB-dependent programmed cell lysis and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface or each other. Biofilm-associated cells are the etiologic agents of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections. Infected human tissues are hypoxic or anoxic. S. aureus increases biofilm formation in response to hypoxia, but how this occurs is unknown. In the current study we report that oxygen influences biofilm formation in its capacity as a terminal electron acceptor for cellular respiration. Genetic, physiological, or chemical inhibition of respiratory processes elicited increased biofilm formation. Impaired respiration led to increased cell lysis via divergent regulation of two processes: increased expression of the AtlA murein hydrolase and decreased expression of wall-teichoic acids. The AltA-dependent release of cytosolic DNA contributed to increased biofilm formation. Further, cell lysis and biofilm formation were governed by the SrrAB two-component regulatory system. Data presented support a model wherein SrrAB-dependent biofilm formation occurs in response to the accumulation of reduced menaquinone. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.23845. 001
Binary Theta-Joins using MapReduce: Efficiency Analysis and Improvements

We deal with binary theta-joins in a MapReduce environment, and we make two contributions. First, we show that the best known algorithm to date for this problem can reach the optimal trade-o↵ between the size of the input a reducer can receive and the incurred communication cost when the join selectivity is high. Second, when the join selectivity is low, we present improvements upon the state-of-the-art with a view to decreasing the communication cost and the maximum load a reducer can receive, taking also into account the load imbalance across the reducers.
DISTRIBUTED CODING OF DYNAMIC SCENES

We address the problem of compressing correlated distributed video signals that are captured from a dynamic scene. The correlated video signals originate from cameras that are not co-located or that cannot cooperate to directly exploit their correlation. However, the decoder is able to exploit the coded information from all cameras to achieve the best reconstruction of the correlated video signals. Our distributed coding scheme is based on a motioncompensated lifted wavelet transform to exploit the temporal correlation of the camera signals. The correlation among the video signals is considered by coset-encoding the quantized wavelet transform coefcients. The experimental results demonstrate that conditional decoding can reduce the bit-rate of one sequence by up to 20% when compared to independent decoding. Further, we consider theoretically the associated rate-distortion problem with side information and determine the optimal conditional KarhunenLoeve transform for video coding with side information and outline the performance bounds.
Renal Denervation Suppresses Coronary Hyperconstricting Responses After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Pigs In Vivo Through the Kidney–Brain–Heart Axis

Objective— Drug-eluting stent–induced coronary hyperconstricting responses remain an important issue. The adventitia harbors a variety of components that potently modulate vascular tone, including sympathetic nerve fibers (SNF) and vasa vasorum. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) inhibits sympathetic nerve activity. We, thus, examined whether RDN suppresses drug-eluting stent–induced coronary hyperconstricting responses, and if so, what mechanisms are involved. Approach and Results— Protocol 1: pigs implanted with everolimus-eluting stents into the left coronary arteries underwent coronary angiography at 1 month after implantation for assessment of coronary vasomotion and adventitial SNF formation. Drug-eluting stent–induced coronary hyperconstricting responses were significantly enhanced associated with enhanced coronary adventitial SNF and vasa vasorum formation. Protocol 2: pigs implanted with everolimus-eluting stents were randomly assigned to the RDN or sham group. The RDN group underwent renal ablation. At 1 month, RDN significantly caused marked damage of the SNF at the renal arteries without any stenosis, thrombus, or dissections. Notably, RDN significantly upregulated the expression of &agr;2-adrenergic receptor–binding sites in the nucleus tractus solitarius, attenuated muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and decreased systolic blood pressure and plasma renin activity. In addition, RDN attenuated coronary hyperconstricting responses to intracoronary serotonin at the proximal and distal stent edges associated with decreases in SNF and vasa vasorum formation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and Rho-kinase expression/activation. Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between SNF and vasa vasorum and between SNF and coronary vasoconstricting responses. Conclusions— These results provide the first evidence that RDN ameliorates drug-eluting stent–induced coronary hyperconstricting responses in pigs in vivo through the kidney–brain–heart axis.
Prdm1a and miR-499 act sequentially to restrict Sox6 activity to the fast-twitch muscle lineage in the zebrafish embryo

Sox6 has been proposed to play a conserved role in vertebrate skeletal muscle fibre type specification. In zebrafish, sox6 transcription is repressed in slow-twitch progenitors by the Prdm1a transcription factor. Here we identify sox6 cis-regulatory sequences that drive fast-twitch-specific expression in a Prdm1a-dependent manner. We show that sox6 transcription subsequently becomes derepressed in slow-twitch fibres, whereas Sox6 protein remains restricted to fast-twitch fibres. We find that translational repression of sox6 is mediated by miR-499, the slow-twitch-specific expression of which is in turn controlled by Prdm1a, forming a regulatory loop that initiates and maintains the slow-twitch muscle lineage.
Protein crystallization facilitated by molecularly imprinted polymers

We present a previously undescribed initiative and its application, namely the design of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for producing protein crystals that are essential for determining high-resolution 3D structures of proteins. MIPs, also referred to as “smart materials,” are made to contain cavities capable of rebinding protein; thus the fingerprint of the protein created on the polymer allows it to serve as an ideal template for crystal formation. We have shown that six different MIPs induced crystallization of nine proteins, yielding crystals in conditions that do not give crystals otherwise. The incorporation of MIPs in screening experiments gave rise to crystalline hits in 8–10% of the trials for three target proteins. These hits would have been missed using other known nucleants. MIPs also facilitated the formation of large single crystals at metastable conditions for seven proteins. Moreover, the presence of MIPs has led to faster formation of crystals in all cases where crystals would appear eventually and to major improvement in diffraction in some cases. The MIPs were effective for their cognate proteins and also for other proteins, with size compatibility being a likely criterion for efficacy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements demonstrated specific affinity between the MIP cavities and a protein-functionalized AFM tip, corroborating our hypothesis that due to the recognition of proteins by the cavities, MIPs can act as nucleation-inducing substrates (nucleants) by harnessing the proteins themselves as templates.
The influence of nonlinear spring behavior of rolling elements on ultraprecision positioning control systems

A prerolling behavior called `nonlinear spring behavior' (NSB) is exhibited in rolling elements, such as linear roller guideways, ball screws and ball bearings, before they begin to roll. Devices using these elements vibrate easily at small displacements due to NSB. The frequency response caused by NSB is different from those caused by rolling in the large displacement area. In this paper a study is carried out to characterize NSB and to explain its influence on frequency response using the case studies of a linear ball guideway, a DC servomotor, and a practical positioning device.
Telemedicine and Medical Informatics in the Multimedia Super Corridor: The Malaysian Vision

The practice of medicine, with its wide range of environmental conditions and complex dependencies, has long been used as a test bed for various advanced technologies. Telemedicine, as conceptualised within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) context, is seen as the application of several relatively mature technologiesartificial intelligence (AI), multimedia communication and information systems (IS) amongst othersso as to benefit a large cross-section of the Malaysian population. We will discuss in general terms the Malaysian vision on the comprehensive MSC telemedicine solution, its functionality and associated operational conditions. In particular, this paper focuses on the conceptualisation of one key telemedical component i.e. the Lifetime Health Plan (LHP) system, which is eventually intended to be a distributed multi-module application for the periodic monitoring and generation of health-care advisories for upwards of 20 million Malaysians.
Internet‐based interventions for cancer‐related distress: exploring the experiences of those whose needs are not met

Low levels of engagement in Internet‐based interventions are common. Understanding users' experiences with these interventions is a key to improving efficacy. Although qualitative methods are well‐suited for this purpose, few qualitative studies have been conducted in this area. In the present study, we assessed experiences with an Internet‐based intervention among cancer survivors who made minimal use of the intervention.
Interfaces for End-User Information Seeking

Essential features of interfaces to support end-user information seeking are discussed and illustrated. Examples of interfaces to support the following basic information-seeking functions are presented: problem definition, source selection, problem articulation, examination of results, and information extraction. It is argued that present interfaces focus on problem articulation and examination of results functions, and research and development are needed to support the problem definition and information extraction functions. General recommendations for research on interfaces to support end-user information seeking include: attention to multimedia information sources, development of interfaces that integrate information-seeking functions, support for collaborative information seeking, use of multiple input/output devices in parallel, integration of advanced information retrieval techniques in systems for end users, and development of adaptable interfaces to meet individual difference and multicultural needs.
Base excision repair initiation revealed by crystal structures and binding kinetics of human uracil‐DNA glycosylase with DNA

Three high‐resolution crystal structures of DNA complexes with wild‐type and mutant human uracil‐DNA glycosylase (UDG), coupled kinetic characterizations and comparisons with the refined unbound UDG structure help resolve fundamental issues in the initiation of DNA base excision repair (BER): damage detection, nucleotide flipping versus extrahelical nucleotide capture, avoidance of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site toxicity and coupling of damage‐specific and damage‐general BER steps. Structural and kinetic results suggest that UDG binds, kinks and compresses the DNA backbone with a ‘Ser–Pro pinch’ and scans the minor groove for damage. Concerted shifts in UDG simultaneously form the catalytically competent active site and induce further compression and kinking of the double‐stranded DNA backbone only at uracil and AP sites, where these nucleotides can flip at the phosphate–sugar junction into a complementary specificity pocket. Unexpectedly, UDG binds to AP sites more tightly and more rapidly than to uracil‐containing DNA, and thus may protect cells sterically from AP site toxicity. Furthermore, AP‐endonuclease, which catalyzes the first damage‐general step of BER, enhances UDG activity, most likely by inducing UDG release via shared minor groove contacts and flipped AP site binding. Thus, AP site binding may couple damage‐specific and damage‐general steps of BER without requiring direct protein–protein interactions.
Regulation of the heat shock transcriptional response: cross talk between a family of heat shock factors, molecular chaperones, and negative regulators.

Our cells and tissues are challenged constantly by exposure to extreme conditions that cause acute and chronic stress. Consequently, survival has necessitated the evolution of stress response networks to detect, monitor, and respond to environmental changes (Morimoto et al. 1990, 1994a; Baeuerle 1995; Baeuerle and Baltimore 1996; Feige et al. 1996; Morimoto and Santoro 1998). Prolonged exposure to stress interferes with efficient operations of the cell, with negative consequences on the biochemical properties of proteins that, under ideal conditions, exist in thermodynamically stable states. In stressed environments, proteins can unfold, misfold, or aggregate. Therefore, the changing demands on the quality control of protein biogenesis, challenges protein homeostasis, for which the heat shock response, through the elevated synthesis of molecular chaperones and proteases, repairs protein damage and assists in the recovery of the cell. The inducible transcription of heat shock genes is the response to a plethora of stress signals (Lis and Wu 1993; Morimoto 1993; Wu 1995) (Fig. 1), including (1) environmental stresses, (2) nonstress conditions, and (3) pathophysiology and disease states. Although changes in heat shock protein (HSP) expression are associated with certain diseases (Morimoto et al. 1990), these observations leave open the question of whether this is an adaptation to the particular pathophysiological state, a reflection of the suboptimal cellular environment associated with the disease, or serves to warn other cells and tissues of imminent danger. The protective role of HSPs is a measure of their capacity to assist in the repair of protein damage. Whether in prokaryotes, plants, or animals, overexpression of one or more HSPs is often sufficient to protect cells and tissues against otherwise lethal exposures to diverse environmental stresses including hydrogen peroxide and other oxidants, toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, and ethanol-induced toxicity (Parsell and Lindquist 1994). In vertebrate tissue culture cells and animal models, elevating HSPs level, either by modulation of the heat shock response or by constitutive overexpression of specific heat shock proteins, restricts or substantially reduces the level of pathology and cell death (Mizzen and Welch 1988; Huot et al. 1991; Jaattela et al. 1992; Parsell and Lindquist 1994; Mestril et al. 1994; Plumier et al. 1995; Marber et al. 1995; Mehlen et al. 1995; Mosser et al. 1997). This has led to the recognition that HSPs, via their chaperoning effects on proteins, protect cells from many forms of stress-induced cell damage and could influence the course of disease.
Optical characteristics of different Bragg planes of 3D polystyrene photonic crystals in the LU and LK path of the first Brillouin zone of close packed fcc structure with large band gap depth and steeper band edges

We report the angle dependent transmission spectral characteristics of 331 nm diameter polystyrene (PS) photonic crystals (PhCs) with large band gap depth and steeper band edges which allow one to identify different Bragg planes promptly. The spectral characteristics recorded in the clock-wise (CW) and anti clock-wise (ACW) directions follow the LK and LU paths in the first Brillouin zone (FBZ) of the face centered cubic (fcc) structure. We obtained 25% of the band gap depth for (220) plane in the LK path, which is the highest value reported till now to the best of our knowledge. Interestingly we observed that (200) plane features for lower angles and (111) plane features for higher angles in the LU path while in the LK path the dips follow the (111) plane fit completely from lower angles to higher angle of incidence and the possible reasons are discussed.
A Case of IMP-4-, OXA-421-, OXA-96-, and CARB-2-Producing Acinetobacter pittii Sequence Type 119 in Australia

ABSTRACT An IMP-4-producing Acinetobacter pittii strain coproducing oxacillinases was isolated from a leg wound of a 67-year-old female patient. Identification to the species level by rpoB and gyrB sequencing and multiplex-PCR-based analysis revealed that the isolate was A. pittii. Whole-genome sequencing of this A. pittii isolate determined the presence of bla OXA-96, bla CARB-2, and a novel bla OXA-421 gene. The position of this novel bla OXA-421 gene was similar to that of bla OXA-51 in A. baumannii, downstream of the phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase gene and upstream of fxsA in the chromosome. This A. pittii isolate was found to belong to sequence type 119 (ST119). Here, we report the first isolation of IMP-4-producing A. pittii ST119 with a novel bla OXA-421 gene from a patient in Australia and characterize its draft genome.
Cultural algorithm for feature selection

In this paper a new cultural evolution based feature selection method is proposed. The present process contains a wrapper approach based on Cultural Genetic Algorithm (CGA) and naïve Bayes classifiers. Cultural evolutionary algorithms are used for searching the problem space to find all of the possible subsets of features and naïve Bayes classifier is employed to evaluate each subset of features. According to its fast convergence, CGA is expected to show higher performance compared with classical GA. The results show that the proposed approach outperforms GA on different datasets.
Ask the Crowd to Find out What's Important

We present a corpus-based method for estimating the im- portance of sentences. Our main contribution is two-fold. First, we introduce the idea of using the increasing amount of manually labeled category information (that is becoming available through collaborative knowledge creation efforts) to identify "typical information" for categories of entities. Second, we provide multiple types of empirical evidence for the usefulness of this notion of typical-information-for-a- category for estimating the importance of sentences.