Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enabling adaptive time-based web applications with SMIL state

In this paper we examine adaptive time-based web applications (or presentations). These are interactive presentations where time dictates the major structure, and that require interactivity and other dynamic adaptation. We investigate the current technologies available to create such presentations and their shortcomings, and suggest a mechanism for addressing these shortcomings. This mechanism, SMIL State, can be used to add user-defined state to declarative time-based languages such as SMIL or SVG animation, thereby enabling the author to create control flows that are difficult to realize within the temporal containment model of the host languages. In addition, SMIL State can be used as a bridging mechanism between languages, enabling easy integration of external components into the web application.
T cell receptor ligation induces interleukin (IL) 2R beta chain expression in rat CD4,8 double positive thymocytes, initiating an IL-2- dependent differentiation pathway of CD8 alpha+/beta- T cells

The role of interleukin (IL)2 in intrathymic T cell development is highly controversial, and nothing is known about IL-2R expression on thymocytes of the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha/beta lineage undergoing TCR-driven differentiation events. We analyze here IL-2R alpha and beta mRNA expression in an in vitro system where newly generated rat CD4,8 double positive (DP) thymocytes respond to TCR ligation plus IL-2 (but not to either stimulus alone) with rapid differentiation to functional CD8 single positive T cells (Hunig, T., and R. Mitnacht. 1991. J. Exp. Med. 173:561). TCR ligation induced expression of IL-2R beta (but not alpha) chain mRNA in DP thymocytes. Addition of IL-2 then lead to functional maturation and expression of the IL-2R alpha chain. To investigate if the CD8 T cells generated via this IL-2R beta-driven pathway in vitro correspond to the bulk of CD8 T cells seeding peripheral lymphoid organs in vivo, we compared their phenotype to that of lymph node CD8 T cells. Surprisingly, analysis of CD8 cell surface expression using a novel anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha/beta heterodimeric isoform, and of CD8 alpha and beta chain mRNA revealed that T cells generated by TCR ligation plus IL-2 resemble thymus-independent rather than thymus-derived CD8 cells in that they express CD8 alpha without beta chains. These findings demonstrate that TCR crosslinking induces functional IL-2R on immature DP rat thymocytes. In addition, they show that at least in vitro, CD8 alpha/alpha T cells are generated from TCR-stimulated DP thymocytes (which express the CD8 alpha/beta in the heterodimeric isoform) along an IL-2-driven pathway of T cell differentiation.
The object oriented model and its advantages

This paper examines some advantages of the Object Oriented Model (O.O.M), such as reuse of code. better structured programs and easier transition from analysis to implementation. It presents some examples, showing why the O.O. M results in higher code reuse than procedural programming. The paper points also the advantages of Object Oriented Analysis (O.O.A) and of Data Abstraction (even though no direct connection exists between D.A. and the O.O.M). The reader is supposed to have some knowledge of the Object Oriented paradigm (class definition, objects. inheritance and polymorphism) and of C++ language.
The p53 Codon 72 PRO/PRO Genotype May Be Associated with Initial Central Visual Field Defects in Caucasians with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Background Loss of vision in glaucoma is due to apoptotic retinal ganglion cell loss. While p53 modulates apoptosis, gene association studies between p53 variants and glaucoma have been inconsistent. In this study we evaluate the association between a p53 variant functionally known to influence apoptosis (codon 72 Pro/Arg) and the subset of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with early loss of central visual field. Methods Genotypes for the p53 codon 72 polymorphism (Pro/Arg) were obtained for 264 POAG patients and 400 controls from the U.S. and in replication studies for 308 POAG patients and 178 controls from Australia (GIST). The glaucoma patients were divided into two groups according to location of initial visual field defect (either paracentral or peripheral). All cases and controls were Caucasian with European ancestry. Results The p53-PRO/PRO genotype was more frequent in the U.S. POAG patients with early visual field defects in the paracentral regions compared with those in the peripheral regions or control group (p = 2.7×10−5). We replicated this finding in the GIST cohort (p = 7.3×10−3, and in the pooled sample (p = 6.6×10−7) and in a meta-analysis of both the US and GIST datasets (1.3×10−6, OR 2.17 (1.58–2.98 for the PRO allele). Conclusions These results suggest that the p53 codon 72 PRO/PRO genotype is potentially associated with early paracentral visual field defects in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.
Advanced concurrency control in Java

Developing concurrent applications is not a trivial task. As programs grow larger and become more complex, advanced concurrency control mechanisms are needed to ensure that application consistency is not compromised. Managing mutual exclusion on a per‐object basis is not sufficient to guarantee isolation of sets of semantically‐related actions. In this paper, we consider ‘atomic blocks’, a simple and lightweight concurrency control paradigm that enables arbitrary blocks of code to access multiple shared objects in isolation. We evaluate various strategies for implementing atomic blocks in Java, in such a way that concurrency control is transparent to the programmer, isolation is preserved, and concurrency is maximized. We discuss these concurrency control strategies and evaluate them in terms of complexity and performance. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of Artificial Neural Network Controller for Electric Drive in Virtual Laboratory

In this paper authors presents modelling of neural network controller to control speed of DC drive. Main tasks of this research are to use artificial neural network for speed control of DC drive in virtual laboratory.The feed-forward back-propagation neural network is used for controller. Levenberg-Marquardt back-propagation algorithm is proposed as a training method. Neural network is trained to maintain rotation speed of DC drive in defined interval.Results of modelling show the possibility to use neural network controller for speed control of DC drive.
A novel synapse-associated noncoding RNA

Synaptic nuclei of innervated muscle transcribe acetylcholine receptor (AChR) genes at a much higher level than extrasynaptic nuclei. To isolate candidate synaptic regulatory molecules responsible for the unique transcriptional potential of synaptic nuclei, we have taken a subtractive hybridization approach. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel synapse-associated RNA, 7H4. 7H4 is expressed selectively in the endplate zone of skeletal muscle and is upregulated during early postnatal development and after denervation. Interestingly, the 7H4 gene has no introns, and yet two different-size RNAs with identical polyadenylated 3' ends are generated. Most intriguingly, the nucleotide sequence does not contain any significant open reading frames, suggesting that 7H4 may function as a noncoding RNA.
Back to the Future : A Paradigm Shift for Restoring Hong Kong ’ s Marine Ecosystem

Pre-World War II fisheries in Hong Kong were arti-sanal. Local fishing vessels were mostly of traditional design and wind-powered (Naval Intelligence Division—UK 1944). During the occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese in 1942–1945, fishing activities were greatly reduced from the prewar period. After the war, with the assistance of the Hong Kong government, the Hong Kong fisheries were reestablished (AFD 1950). Mechanization has occurred rapidly since then, resulting in a dramatic increase in fishing effort, particularly in the bottom-trawling sector (Gaiger 1974; Nichols 1974; Pitcher et al. 1998). As a result of increasing fishing effort, the status of fishery resources has changed substantially over the past few decades. Although total landings in Hong Kong waters increased over the past 50 years, catch per unit effort (CPUE) dropped rapidly (Cheung 2001). In the first half of the 20th century , large pelagic and demersal predatory fish species (e.g., Serranidae, Lutjanidae, and Scombri-dae) were the major catch components (Cheung 2001; Herklots and Lin 1940). The abundance, biomass, and species diversity of fish and benthic organisms declined in the 1980s (Wu 1988). Recent catches are dominated by species characterized by small size and high growth rate, such as small pelagic fishes and invertebrates (Pitcher et al. 1998), and the amounts of previously abundant adults of large, predatory, high-value food fishes have declined markedly. Some of these species (e.g., red grouper Epinephelus akaara and giant croaker Bahaba taipingensis) are on the verge of local extinction (Sadovy 1998; Sadovy and Che-ung 2003). Despite well-documented accounts of the serious physical impact of trawling activities on fragile benthic organisms such as corals, sponges, and gorgonians that are important for providing shelter and food for fishes the bottom-trawl-ing fishery continues in Hong Kong. Ecological processes called Odum's Ratchet (Pitcher 2001) that have compromised Hong Kong fisheries will likely continue to occur if current fishing patterns continue. In an Odum's Ratchet scenario, which is intensified by government subsidies , fishing depletes the large long-lived species over generalist, k-selected species, leading to simpler ecosystems with higher volatility as well as lower value and trophic levels (Pitcher 2001; Pauly et al. 1998a; Pitcher and Pauly 1998). Large high-value species with specialized niches are rapidly lost (Christensen and Pauly 1998). Consequently, small fish begin to dominate landings—a process evident in Hong Kong—replacing large high-value fish. This ecological mechanism suggests that, unless the situation is mitigated, future disasters will occur at an …
Association of the Three Common SNPs of Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene (rs20417, rs689466, and rs5275) with the Susceptibility of Breast Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis Involving 34,590 Subjects

Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) genes (e.g., −765 G>C (rs20417), −1195G>A (rs689466), and 8473 C>T (rs5275)). The association of these SNPs with the risk of different cancer types is still controversial. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between these SNPs and breast cancer risk in different ethnic groups. We have searched PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Embase for relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the associations. A total of 13 studies (15,330 cases and 19,260 controls) were eligible for meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed that COX-2 rs20417 polymorphism was correlated with an increased risk of breast cancer in Caucasians, while rs689466 was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer in Caucasians. The rs5275 polymorphism had no association with breast cancer risk.
Strategies to improve the sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of drugs in biological fluids

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a useful method to quantify drugs in biological fluids. However, especially for blood or plasma samples, the sensitivity is not sufficient to quantify drugs and their metabolites as they often need to be quantified in the lower μg/L range. To overcome this limitation and to increase the sensitivity, two strategies are applied: first, to increase the amount of analyte added to the capillary and, second, to increase the sensitivity on the detector site. To improve the sensitivity on the detector site, alternative detection techniques to UV detection, e.g., laser‐induced fluorescence detection (LIF) or mass spectroscopy (MS), can be applied. However, LIF detection can only be used for fluorescent analytes and the current equipment for CE‐MS coupling provides only small improvements in sensitivity compared to UV detection. The detection window for UV detection can be enhanced using capillaries with an extended light path (bubble cell) or Z‐shaped capillaries. Sensitivity improvements up to a factor of 10 have been reported. Increasing the amount of analyte in the capillary can be done either by chromatographic or by electrokinetic methods. Chromatographic methods such as on‐capillary membrane preconcentration have been used for several analytes. However, no validated application has been reported to date. In contrast, several validated examples can be found in which electrokinetic techniques like sample stacking have been applied to achieve limits of quantification in the lower μg/L range. In conclusion, to date, electrokinetic techniques such as field‐amplified sample injection offer the most promising results in achieving a sufficient sensitivity to quantify drugs in biological fluids.
Structural studies of two rhinovirus serotypes complexed with fragments of their cellular receptor

Two human rhinovirus serotypes complexed with two‐ and five‐domain soluble fragments of the cellular receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, have been investigated by X‐ray crystallographic analyses of the individual components and by cryo‐electron microscopy of the complexes. The three‐dimensional image reconstructions provide a molecular envelope within which the crystal structures of the viruses and the receptor fragments can be positioned with accuracy. The N‐terminal domain of the receptor binds to the rhinovirus ‘canyon’ surrounding the icosahedral 5‐fold axes. Fitting of molecular models into the image reconstruction density identified the residues on the virus that interact with those on the receptor surface, demonstrating complementarity of the electrostatic patterns for the tip of the N‐terminal receptor domain and the floor of the canyon. The complexes seen in the image reconstructions probably represent the first stage of a multistep binding process. A mechanism is proposed for the subsequent viral uncoating process.
A Small Preoperative Test Dose of Intravenous Fentanyl Can Predict Subsequent Analgesic Efficacy and Incidence of Side Effects in Patients Due to Receive Epidural Fentanyl

Because individual variation is a likely factor affecting both the incidence and severity of side effects and the analgesic efficacy of epidural opioids, assessment of individual variation could be useful in deciding optimal dosage. By evaluating the response to a small test dose of IV fentanyl, we designed this study to predict the degree of pain relief and the incidence of side effects in patients who would be receiving postoperative epidural fentanyl. Before the induction of anesthesia, 50 &mgr;g of fentanyl was administered IV, and 2 min after fentanyl, the patient response was evaluated. Twenty-three patients, who reported nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, sensation of warmth, and other symptoms, were categorized as responders (Group R); the remaining 20 patients were categorized as nonresponders (Group NR). At the completion of surgery, infusion of epidural fentanyl was administered (0.3 mg/d in 0.25% bupivacaine) for 96 h. At postoperative Hours 6 and 24, Group R had significantly lower visual analog scale scores for postoperative pain intensity and required fewer analgesics than Group NR. The incidence of side effects, however, was 74% for Group R and 10% for Group NR (P < 0.05), and side effects were more serious in Group R. This study demonstrates that preoperative administration of a small dose of fentanyl during the induction of anesthesia enables prediction of the analgesic efficacy of postoperative epidural fentanyl and the incidence and severity of side effects.
Prevalence of open-angle glaucoma among adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and distribution of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in the United States by age, race/ethnicity, and gender. METHODS Summary prevalence estimates of OAG were prepared separately for black, Hispanic, and white subjects in 5-year age intervals starting at 40 years. The estimated rates were based on a meta-analysis of recent population-based studies in the United States, Australia, and Europe. These rates were applied to 2000 US census data and to projected US population figures for 2020 to estimate the number of the US population with OAG. RESULTS The overall prevalence of OAG in the US population 40 years and older is estimated to be 1.86% (95% confidence interval, 1.75%-1.96%), with 1.57 million white and 398 000 black persons affected. After applying race-, age-, and gender-specific rates to the US population as determined in the 2000 US census, we estimated that OAG affects 2.22 million US citizens. Owing to the rapidly aging population, the number with OAG will increase by 50% to 3.36 million in 2020. Black subjects had almost 3 times the age-adjusted prevalence of glaucoma than white subjects. CONCLUSIONS Open-angle glaucoma affects more than 2 million individuals in the United States. Owing to the rapid aging of the US population, this number will increase to more than 3 million by 2020.
Epidemiological Studies on Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in Different Parts of India

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), the causative agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), is considered to be the most common viral pathogen found in bovine semen and can cause various syndromes like infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), encephalomyelitis, mastitis and affects respiratory, ocular, reproductive, alimentary, integumentary and central nervous systems besides causing neonatal infections. The BHV-1 infection has already been reported by seroprevalence studies in India amongst exotic and crossbred cattle at some organized farms. The current work was designed to study the prevalence of IBR using serological and molecular techniques, respectively in serum and semen samples, collected from different parts of India. IBR antibodies were diagnosed from 1010 serum sample by serum neutralization test and noticed 32.25% seroprevalence with maximum prevalence in Uttar Pradesh and minimum in Himachal Pradesh. Four percentage of semen samples were found positive for BHV-1 virus.
What can parasitoid wasps teach us about decision-making in insects?

Summary Millions of years of co-evolution have driven parasites to display very complex and exquisite strategies to manipulate the behaviour of their hosts. However, although parasite-induced behavioural manipulation is a widespread phenomenon, the underlying neuronal mechanisms are only now beginning to be deciphered. Here, we review recent advancements in the study of the mechanisms by which parasitoid wasps use chemical warfare to manipulate the behaviour of their insect hosts. We focus on a particular case study in which a parasitoid wasp (the jewel wasp Ampulex compressa) performs a delicate brain surgery on its prey (the American cockroach Periplaneta americana) to take away its motivation to initiate locomotion. Following a brief background account of parasitoid wasps that manipulate host behaviour, we survey specific aspects of the unique effects of the A. compressa venom on the regulation of spontaneous and evoked behaviour in the cockroach host.
[Asthma in the elderly].

INTRODUCTION Asthma in the elderly is a growing clinical problem. It affects 6 to 7% of this age-group, but making the distinction between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is more difficult as patients get older. STATE OF THE ART This difficulty is due to a number of factors: the confounding role of smoking, and also the physiological effects of ageing on the airways which renders airway obstruction more resistant to bronchodilation. Elderly asthmatics can be divided on clinical grounds into two arbitrary groups: "ageing asthmatics" who have had asthma since childhood or adolescence and "late-onset asthmatics" who may present following an infective episode. Certain features of asthma in the elderly include: poor perception of breathlessness, technical difficulties in making reliable pulmonary function measurements and the extrapulmonary manifestations (impact on quality of life). PERSPECTIVES The therapeutic strategy is much the same as for younger asthmatics but certain aspects take on greater importance: concerns about osteoporosis with long-term corticosteroid therapy (both oral and inhaled), the risk of arrhythmias with beta-2 adrenergic drugs and the significant side-effects of theophylline justifies, in difficult cases, consideration of anticholinergic and/or anti-leukotriene therapy. CONCLUSION Most importantly, for elderly asthmatics it is a treatment regimen that is as simple as possible and is backed up by a written self-management plan that will improve outcomes.
The Protective Effects of Ultraviolet A1 Irradiation on Spontaneous Lupus Erythematosus-Like Skin Lesions in MRL/lpr Mice

We investigated the effects of ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) irradiation on spontaneous lupus erythematosus- (LE-) like skin lesions of MRL/lpr mice, using a disease prevention model. UVA1 irradiation significantly inhibited the development of LE-like skin lesions, without obvious changes of the disease including renal disease and serum antinuclear antibody levels. Besides the massive infiltration of mast cells in the LE-like skin lesions, in the nonlesional skins, more mast cells infiltrated in the UVA1-irradiated group compared with the nonirradiated group. Although apoptotic cells were remarkably seen in the dermis of UVA1-irradiated mice, those cells were hardly detectable in the dermis of the nonirradiated mice without skin lesions. Further analysis showed that some of those apoptotic cells were mast cells. Thus, UVA1 might exert its effects, at least in part, through the induction of the apoptosis of pathogenic mast cells. Our results supported the clinical efficacy of UVA1 irradiation for skin lesions of lupus patients.
A Rare Anomaly of the Abductor digiti minimi Muscle of the Foot

One case with anomalous fascicles in the abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADM), noted in the course of dissecting the left lower extremity of a 62-year-old male cadaver, is described. The ADM had proximally three bellies and distally one. One of the proximal bellies presented the normal belly and others were the supernumerary fascicles. Both fascicles arose from the calcaneus, one was inserted into the base of the fifth metatarsal (FMB) and the other into the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal (FMT). One belly coursing distally arose from the FMB and was inserted into the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit. The normal belly ended in the FMB and also both in the distal belly and in the flexor digiti minimi muscle. One of the supernumerary fascicles (medial fascicle) crossed the lateral plantar artery. To our knowledge, this is an anatomic variation which has never been described before. The morphology of this anomaly is discussed in relation to previously described anomalies of the plantar muscles.