Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of pubocervical fascia of women with urodynamic stress incontinence and prolapse compared to asymptomatic controls

Hypothesis / aims of study Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) are multifactorial diseases that negatively affect the quality of life of millions of women. The pathophysiology of these diseases is not fully elucidated. All previously examined tissue specimens from women with POP were examined with techniques that measured differences of expression of specific proteins directly (immunoflorescence microscopy, radioimmunoassay) or indirectly (quantitative real time PCR mRNA assessment). Gene studies of tissues from women with POP detected a number of candidate genes that could lead to altered pelvic support. [1] Whole genome microarrays were later used to identify genes involved with elastin metabolism in vaginal tissue from women with stress urinary incontinence without clinical POP. [2] Microarray analysis of 32878 genes from uterosacral and round ligament samples from women with POP and controls identified genes committed to Immunity and cellular Defense. [3] Gene profile of a specific tissue isn’t the same as protein profile. Proteomic analysis will help us define if genes identified by microarray analysis are also translated to functional proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first study in humans that uses the advanced methods of proteomics to investigate and compare the pattern of protein expression of pubocervical fascia in women with USI with or without POP versus asymptomatic controls.
Notice of RetractionPractical algorithm for shortest path on large networks with time-dependent edge-length

The shortest path problem in network has been studied widely and intensively over years, both in theoretical and in computational viewpoints. Many speed-up techniques for Dijkstra's algorithm have been developed. However, only few of those techniques work in time-dependent networks. This paper studies how to promptly answer the shortest path between a pair of nodes over a large time-dependent road network, to cater for the increasing interest in the advanced transportation systems. A fast algorithm is proposed for an approximate time-dependent shortest path (TDSP). The proposed algorithm works on a subnetwork derived from the static shortest path between the given pair of nodes. The size of the subnetwork can be modulated according to the given traffic period for high solution quality. An extensive experimental results on a real-world environments (Singapore road network) show that the traditional algorithm is improved by up to 90% in terms of runtime. In addition, about 65% random instances can be exactly solved and most instances can be solved within the error of 3%.
Benefit and harm of adding ketamine to an opioid in a patient-controlled analgesia device for the control of postoperative pain: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analyses

Abstract Ketamine is often added to opioids in patient-controlled analgesia devices. We tested whether in surgical patients, ketamine added to an opioid patient–controlled analgesia decreased pain intensity by ≥25%, cumulative opioid consumption by ≥30%, the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting by ≥30%, the risk of respiratory adverse effects by ≥50%, and increased the risk of hallucination not more than 2-fold. In addition, we searched for evidence of dose-responsiveness. Nineteen randomized trials (1349 adults, 104 children) testing different ketamine regimens added to various opioids were identified through searches in databases and bibliographies (to 04.2016). In 9 trials (595 patients), pain intensity at rest at 24 hours was decreased by 32% with ketamine (weighted mean difference −1.1 cm on the 0-10 cm visual analog scale [98% CI, −1.8 to −0.39], P < 0.001). In 7 trials (495 patients), cumulative 24 hours morphine consumption was decreased by 28% with ketamine (weighted mean difference −12.9 mg [−22.4 to −3.35], P = 0.002). In 7 trials (435 patients), the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased by 44% with ketamine (risk ratio 0.56 [0.40 to 0.78], P < 0.001). There was no evidence of a difference in the incidence of respiratory adverse events (9 trials, 871 patients; risk ratio 0.31 [0.06 to 1.51], P = 0.08) or hallucination (7 trials, 690 patients; odds ratio 1.16 [0.47 to 2.79], P = 0.70). Trial sequential analyses confirmed the significant benefit of ketamine on pain intensity, cumulative morphine consumption, and postoperative nausea and vomiting and its inability to double the risk of hallucination. The available data did not allow us to make a conclusion on respiratory adverse events or to establish dose-responsiveness.
Cisco's Mobile IPv4 Host Configuration Extensions

An IP device requires basic host configuration to be able to communicate. For example, it will typically require an IP address and the address of a DNS server. This information is configured statically or obtained dynamically using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Point-to-Point Protocol/IP Control Protocol (PPP/IPCP). However, both DHCP and PPP/IPCP provide host configuration based on the access network. In Mobile IPv4, the registration process boots up a Mobile Node at an access network, also known as a foreign network. The information to configure the host needs to be based on the home network. This document describes the Cisco vendor-specific extensions to Mobile IPv4 to provide the base host configuration in Registration Request and Reply messages. This memo provides information for the Internet community.
Crystal Structure of the Pre-fusion Nipah Virus Fusion Glycoprotein Reveals a Novel Hexamer-of-Trimers Assembly

Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus that infects host cells through the coordinated efforts of two envelope glycoproteins. The G glycoprotein attaches to cell receptors, triggering the fusion (F) glycoprotein to execute membrane fusion. Here we report the first crystal structure of the pre-fusion form of the NiV-F glycoprotein ectodomain. Interestingly this structure also revealed a hexamer-of-trimers encircling a central axis. Electron tomography of Nipah virus-like particles supported the hexameric pre-fusion model, and biochemical analyses supported the hexamer-of-trimers F assembly in solution. Importantly, structure-assisted site-directed mutagenesis of the interfaces between F trimers highlighted the functional relevance of the hexameric assembly. Shown here, in both cell-cell fusion and virus-cell fusion systems, our results suggested that this hexamer-of-trimers assembly was important during fusion pore formation. We propose that this assembly would stabilize the pre-fusion F conformation prior to cell attachment and facilitate the coordinated transition to a post-fusion conformation of all six F trimers upon triggering of a single trimer. Together, our data reveal a novel and functional pre-fusion architecture of a paramyxoviral fusion glycoprotein.
Equilibria in online games

We initiate the study of scenarios that combine online decision making with interaction between non-cooperative agents. To this end we introduce online games that model such scenarios as non-cooperative games, and lay the foundations for studying this model. Roughly speaking, an online game captures systems in which independent agents serve requests in a common environment. The requests arrive in an online fashion and each is designated to be served by a different agent. The cost incurred by serving a request is paid for by the serving agent, and naturally, the agents seek to minimize the total cost they pay. Since the agents are independent, it is unlikely that some central authority can enforce a policy or an algorithm (centralized or distributed) on them, and thus, the agents can be viewed as selfish players in a non-cooperative game. In this game, the players have to choose as a strategy an online algorithm according to which requests are served. To further facilitate the game theoretic approach, we suggest the measure of competitive analysis as the players' decision criterion. As the expected result of non-cooperative games is an equilibrium, the question of finding the equilibria of a game is of central importance, and thus, it is the central issue we concentrate on in this paper. We study some natural examples for online games; in order to obtain general insights and develop generic techniques, we present an abstract model for the study of online games generalizing metrical task systems. We suggest a method for constructing equilibria in this model and further devise techniques for implementing it.
Higher Education in Cyprus: Facts, Issues, Dilemmas, and Solutions

The classical university is under attack because of the perception that it has not kept pace with technological advances in society and that it no longer serves societal needs. Therefore, as the argument goes, the university must change. This article, that is divided into two main parts, tackles these issues. The first part is a brief presentation of Cyprus and of its higher education system. The second part is a presentation of three dilemmas facing higher education: general versus specialized higher education, elite versus mass higher education, and the financing of higher education.
Threshold Secret Sharing Authentication Scheme in Noisy Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This paper presents a description and performance evaluation of a threshold secret sharing (TSS) authentication scheme for selfsecuring mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) suffering from high packet-loss and node mobility. In order to evaluate the performance of the TSS scheme in a noisy MANET, a number of simulations were carried-out. We concluded that presence of noise inflicts significant reduction in the authentication success ratio (SR) and consequently degrades the performance of the network, while node mobility inflicts no or insignificant effects. The outcomes of these simulations are so important to facilitate efficient network management.
Enabling innovation:knowledge control, sharing and coordination boundaries in UK and German manufacturing

We investigate how boundaries in knowledge control, sharing and co-ordination influence UK and German manufacturing firms’ innovation intensity (an indicator of the volume of product change) and product life (an indicator of the pace of generational change). In general UK plants more commonly face knowledge control boundaries related to plant ownership or control, while German plants more commonly face boundaries related to knowledge sharing and knowledge co-ordination between functional groups. Our empirical results emphasise the importance of the strategic management of innovation. Knowledge control boundaries – related to external ownership, group membership and decision making autonomy – have a weak negative influence on plants’ innovation outcomes. Strategic decisions relating to multifunctional working and networking are found to be more important in overcoming knowledge sharing and co-ordination boundaries. Knowledge sharing boundaries, related to plant or company boundaries, prove most important where a plant has no in-house R&D capability. Knowledge co-ordination boundaries related to functional or multi-functional working have strong but differential effects on different innovation output measures: functional boundaries increase product life in both countries, and in Germany maintaining functional boundaries is also associated with increased innovation intensity.
Development of Coping Style Scale for school-going adolescents

This study was designed to explore the coping strategies used by boys and girls of Government school children of Lahore. For this purpose, the phenomenology of coping styles was explored using semi-structured interviews. The resultant scale of 52 items was then administered on the sample of 600 school children (301 boys and 299 girls). Factor analysis revealed three coping styles. including problem-focused spiritual coping, emotion-focused, and dependent coping styles. The Cronbach’s alpha was found to be 0.75 and 1 week test–retest reliability was found to be 0.827. The factor structure of the scale is discussed in the light of cultural variations and its utility in school system.
The Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potentials (LDAEP) as an Indicator of Serotonergic Dysfunction in Patients with Predominant Schizophrenic Negative Symptoms

Besides the influence of dopaminergic neurotransmission on negative symptoms in schizophrenia, there is evidence that alterations of serotonin (5-HT) system functioning also play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of these disabling symptoms. From post mortem and genetic studies on patients with negative symptoms a 5-HT dysfunction is documented. In addition atypical neuroleptics and some antidepressants improve negative symptoms via serotonergic action. So far no research has been done to directly clarify the association between the serotonergic functioning and the extent of negative symptoms. Therefore, we examined the status of brain 5-HT level in negative symptoms in schizophrenia by means of the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP). The LDAEP provides a well established and non-invasive in vivo marker of the central 5-HT activity. We investigated 13 patients with schizophrenia with predominant negative symptoms treated with atypical neuroleptics and 13 healthy age and gender matched controls with a 32-channel EEG. The LDAEP of the N1/P2 component was evaluated by dipole source analysis and single electrode estimation at Cz. Psychopathological parameters, nicotine use and medication were assessed to control for additional influencing factors. Schizophrenic patients showed significantly higher LDAEP in both hemispheres than controls. Furthermore, the LDAEP in the right hemisphere in patients was related to higher scores in scales assessing negative symptoms. A relationship with positive symptoms was not found. These data might suggest a diminished central serotonergic neurotransmission in patients with predominant negative symptoms.
Schistosoma mansoni as a cause of bloody stool in children.

OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency of schistosoma mansoni as a cause of bloody stool or diarrhea and study the clinical, laboratory, radiological characteristics and regional distribution in Hajjah governorate. METHODS This was a hospital based study conducted in Hajjah town, from April 1997 to May 1999. Medical charts were reviewed for age, sex, area of residency, clinical presentation, number of previous schistosoma mansoni infections, possible causes of bloody stool or diarrhea, number of hospital visits and results of any radiological studies made. RESULTS Three hundred and sixty patients presented to the pediatric clinic with a history of bloody stool, 156 (43%) with schistosoma mansoni, older children formed 83% and boys 79.5%. Ninety five and a half per cent were from Hajjah governorate, 67% were from Hajjah town. Previous schistosoma mansoni infection was found in 19% and in 20% there was other associated parasitic infestation. CONCLUSION Schistosoma mansoni is a major health problem in Hajjah governorate. Older boys were the most at risk group. Patients in rural regions had difficulties in reaching the hospital, indicated by their low percentage compared to patients from urban areas.
COMPUTER AND STRATOSPHERIC FLIGHT SIMULATION OF SPACE EXPERIMENT ON CURING OF EPOXY COMPOSITE

Curing technology of composite materials directly in space environment can be used for creation of large space structures in Earth orbit, on Moon, on Mars and other celestial bodies in future. The curing will be occurred under free space conditions such as high vacuum, temperature variations, cosmic radiation, microgravity and others. The space factors can significantly influence on the curing process and final properties of the composite. A space experiment on curing of the composite is complicate. At first stage, a laboratory experiment, computer modelling and stratospheric flight experiments are used for investigation of curing process. The results show a possibility of the curing and first prepreg of the composite was cured in stratosphere.
Cetocycline, Tetracycline Analog: In Vitro Studies of Antimicrobial Activity, Serum Binding, Lipid Solubility, and Uptake by Bacteria

Cetocycline (formerly chelocardin or cetotetrine) is structurally related to the tetracyclines. It was found to be more active than tetracycline against many clinical isolates of aerobic gram-negative bacilli, but is less active against staphylococci, and has no activity against Pseudomonas. It is bactericidal against susceptible enteric gram-negative bacteria at concentrations two to four times higher than the minimal inhibiting concentrations. The drug is highly lipid soluble; more than 80% is bound to serum, and it is more avidly taken up by susceptible bacteria than tetracycline. A direct correlation between drug uptake and susceptibility of bacteria was not noted, except with a strain of Proteus vulgaris.
Web Service Discovery and Composition using USDL

For Web-services to become practical, an infrastructure needs to be supported that allows users and applications to discover, deploy, compose and synthesize services automatically. In this paper, we present the design of an automatic service discovery and composition engine using USDL (Universal Service-Semantics Description Language) by A. Bansal et al. (2005), a language for formally describing the semantics of Web-services. The implementation will be used for the WS-Challenge 2006
Reproducibility of Facial Soft Tissue Thickness Measurements Using Cone‐Beam CT Images According to the Measurement Methods

The purpose of this study was to establish the reproducibility of facial soft tissue (ST) thickness measurements by comparing three different measurement methods applied at 32 landmarks on three‐dimensional cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Two observers carried out the measurements of facial ST thickness of 20 adult subjects using CBCT scan data, and inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibilities were evaluated. The measurement method of “perpendicular to bone” resulted in high inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility at all 32 landmarks. In contrast, the “perpendicular to skin” method and “direct” method, which measures a distance between one point on bone and the other point on skin, presented low reproducibility. The results indicate that reproducibility could be increased by identifying the landmarks on hard tissue images, rather than on ST images, and the landmark description used in this study can be used in the establishment of reliable tissue depth data using CBCT images.
Let’s Pretend!

According to many, joint intentional action must be understood in terms of joint intentions. Most accounts of joint intention appeal to a set of sophisticated individual intentional states. The author argues that standard accounts of joint intention exclude the possibility of joint action in young children because they presuppose that the participants have a robust theory of mind, something young children lack. But young children do engage in joint action. The author offers a revision of Michael Bratman’s analysis of joint intention that reflects the socio-cognitive abilities young children do have. This revision makes sense of joint action among young children and equally well explains simple joint actions involving adults.
Skills training for aggression control: Evaluation of an anger management programme for violent offenders

Purpose. In Western Australia approximately 450 violent offenders per year are referred to a cognitive-behavioural anger management programme (Skills Training for Aggression Control; STAC). Efficacy of the STAC programme with male adult inmates was investigated in two studies. Methods. A pre-test-post-test non-equivalent group design was utilized for Study 1 (N = 39) and Study 2 (N = 50). Violent offenders participating in STAC programmes were compared to a waiting-list control group on the dependent variables of anger knowledge, trait anger, anger expression, observed aggressive behaviour, and prison misconduct. Differential treatment effects according to trait anger level were examined in Study 2 anticipating greater gains for high trait anger violent offenders. Results. Data analyses provided little support for the hypothesized STAC participants' treatment gains relative to the control group participants. Hypothesized differential treatment effect by trait anger level was not supported. Conclusions. Based on the limited support for the STAC programmes' treatment efficacy, caution is recommended before implementing anger management programmes with violent offenders.
Modelling spatial choice: a review and synthesis in a migration context

This paper reviews various approaches to the modelling of spatial choice. Spatial choice modelling is viewed as a distinct area of research, within the larger field of discrete choice modelling, with a sound methodological basis and computationally tractable modelling framework. This review draws upon empirical application of spatial choice models to interregional migration and identifies the main research issues, summarizes the progress of research thus far, and suggests some paths for future research. It is argued that some of the widely used models suffer from problems derived from their development in aspatial choice contexts. Acknowledging the increased complexity and, possibly, the different choice process that spatial choice situations present over their aspatial counterparts leads to the development of the socalled competing destinations model and its variants. Evidence from empirical tests of these spatial choice models suggests that analysts engaged in interregional migration modelling risk model misspecification if they ignore the peculiarities of spatial choice.
Imbalanced Class Learning in Epigenetics

In machine learning, one of the important criteria for higher classification accuracy is a balanced dataset. Datasets with a large ratio between minority and majority classes face hindrance in learning using any classifier. Datasets having a magnitude difference in number of instances between the target concept result in an imbalanced class distribution. Such datasets can range from biological data, sensor data, medical diagnostics, or any other domain where labeling any instances of the minority class can be time-consuming or costly or the data may not be easily available. The current study investigates a number of imbalanced class algorithms for solving the imbalanced class distribution present in epigenetic datasets. Epigenetic (DNA methylation) datasets inherently come with few differentially DNA methylated regions (DMR) and with a higher number of non-DMR sites. For this class imbalance problem, a number of algorithms are compared, including the TAN+AdaBoost algorithm. Experiments performed on four epigenetic datasets and several known datasets show that an imbalanced dataset can have similar accuracy as a regular learner on a balanced dataset.
Existence, Classification and Stability Analysis of Multiple-peaked Solutions for the Gierer-Meinhardt System in R 1

We consider the following Gierer-Meinhardt system in R:    At = 2A ′′ −A + A p Hq x ∈ (−1, 1), t > 0, τHt = DH ′′ −H + A r Hs x ∈ (−1, 1), t > 0, A ′ (−1) = A(1) = H (−1) = H (1) = 0, where (p, q, r, s) satisfy 1 < qr (s + 1)(p− 1) < +∞, 1 < p < +∞, and where 2 << 1, 0 < D < ∞, τ ≥ 0, D and τ are constants which are independent of 2. We give a rigorous and unified approach to show that the existence and stability of N−peaked steady-states can be reduced to computing two matrices in terms of the coefficients D,N, p, q, r, s. Moreover, it is shown that N−peaked steady-states are generated by exactly two types of peaks, provided their mutual distance is bounded away from zero.