Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Architecture for Associative Processing of Large Knowledge Bases (LKBs)

This paper describes the Incomplete Relational Knowledge Representation, and its support by associative processing. Top-down design of an architecture to support the model (the Generic Relational Model), has yielded functional primitives concerned with the associative derivation of sets from type lattices (Multiple Inheritance Networks). These primitives have a general utility beyond the Knowledge Base area, which is our immediate interest. A subsystem architecture known as the Generic Associative Array Processor has been developed to support the required operations. This has been implemented in VLSI technology to provide parallel processing of associative links via a dynamically configurable connection matrix. The subsystem also provides array processing of the Boolean operations on the resultant sets.
Human herpesvirus‐6 and ‐7 in transplantation

Infections with the β‐herpesviruses human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) and human herpesvirus‐7 (HHV‐7) are ubiquitous in childhood. The immunosuppression secondary to organ or bone marrow transplantation together with posttransplantation management may favour viral replication and reactivation. HHV‐6 and ‐7 induce immunosuppression by targeting lymphocytes, natural killer cells and monocytes. HHV‐6 is commonly detected posttransplantation but variability in definitions of clinical syndromes related to this virus and detection methods have complicated understanding of the clinical relevance of HHV‐6 posttransplantation. Clinical symptoms associated with HHV‐6 include febrile illness, pneumonitis, hepatitis, encephalitis and bone marrow suppression. However, the majority of HHV‐6 infections are asymptomatic. The incidence of HHV‐7 infection and its clinical manifestations posttransplantation are even less well characterised. In addition, HHV‐6 and HHV‐7 are related to CMV disease or acute graft‐versus‐host disease and, indirectly, to increases in resource utilisation. Based on the potential relevance of these two β‐herpesviruses in transplant recipients, further studies are required to establish their real impact in transplantation. For this, sensitive and specific molecular diagnostic techniques allowing for the rapid detection and quantitation of virus and for the analysis of susceptibility to current antiviral agents are required. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immune dysfunction in bipolar disorder and suicide risk: is there an association between peripheral corticotropin-releasing hormone and interleukin-1β?

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) with and without suicide risk (SR), and controls. METHODS A total of 120 young adults (40 controls, 40 subjects with BD without SR, and 40 subjects with BD with SR) were enrolled from a population-based study carried out in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. BD and SR were assessed through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0), and peripheral markers were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Levels of CRH were significantly lower both in subjects with BD without SR (p = 0.04) and subjects with BD with SR (p = 0.02) when compared to controls. However, levels of IL-1β were increased in subjects with BD with SR (p = 0.05) when compared to controls. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, current mood episode, and use of psychiatric medications were not associated with changes in these markers. No correlation was found between peripheral levels of CRH and IL-1β (p = 0.60) in the population or in the BD with SR group (p = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that peripheral mechanisms linking stress hormones and the immune system might be critical patterns involved in suicidal behavior associated with BD.
A new control approach to improve the overall performance of DFIG-based WECS

Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs) are currently extensively used in variable speed wind power plants due to their superior advantages that include reduced converter rating, low cost, reduced losses, easy implementation of power factor correction schemes, variable speed operation and four quadrants active and reactive power control capabilities. On the other hand, DFIG sensitivity to grid disturbances, especially for voltage sags represents the main disadvantage of the equipment. In this paper, a coil is proposed to be integrated within the DFIG converters to improve the overall performance of a DFIG-based wind energy conversion system (WECS). A proportional integral (PI) controller to control the charging and discharging of the coil is introduced. Simulation results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed topology in improving the overall performance of the WECS under study.
Effect of pre-operative red blood cell distribution on cancer stage and morbidity rate in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND The red blood cell distribution (RDW) is a test measure of erythrocyte variation and the volume level which shows the heterogeneity and it is a proven test in literature for the determination of survival on cardiovascular diseases. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the RDW level and postoperative morbidity as well as its stages in diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS In this study we covered 104 diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients who have been operated in 2011-2014. The RDW levels were separated into two groups. Group 1 contains higher level RDW patients (> 14) whereas group 2 contains only lower level RDW patients. We compared both groups in terms of the patients' demographic data, duration of hospitalization, ratio of pancreatic fistula, disease period, and the mortality rates. RESULTS In group 1 contains 39 patients whereas group 2 contains only 65 patients. We determined the positive correlation between stages of disease with RDW levels as well as the correlation between low level of blood albumin and Ca 19.9 levels (p = 0001). However we did not observe statistically important difference in postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Based on this study we report that RDW levels can be use as a marker to show the stages of pancreatic cancer in diagnosed patients.
Simulation study on the warpage behavior and board-level temperature cycling reliability of PoP potentially for high-speed memory packaging

PoP is a potential solution to high-speed memory packaging. For PoP package, warpage is known as a concern over package stacking and SMT yield. The PoP package under current study has these features such as fine pitch which is 0.5 mm for both top and bottom, small ball size and that most solder balls are located at the packagepsilas two longer edges. Therefore the solder joint reliability (SJR) in temperature cycling on board (TCoB) test may also pose a concern. The current paper talks about the systematic simulation and optimization of warpage and TCoB SJR for DRAM PoP package. For warpage study, 3D finite element analysis (FEA) was performed. Not only room temperature warpage, but also reflow temperature warpage was investigated. Full factorial DOE analysis with approximation model determination was conducted for both material selection and structural optimization. Based on this study, material selection and layout design guidelines were quickly derived to optimize the warpage performance of this package. In SJR simulation study, various package and stacking configurations were proposed and simulated in an effort to improve the SJR in TCoB test. Suggestions for improvements were made based on those simulation results.
Framingham Stroke Risk Profile is related to cerebral small vessel disease progression and lower cognitive performance in patients with hypertension

The Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP) was developed to predict clinical stroke. We investigated if FSRP is associated with more “silent” effects of cerebrovascular disease, namely progression of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD)‐related brain damage and cognitive performance in hypertensive patients. Ninety patients with essential hypertension underwent a brain MRI scan and FSRP assessment at baseline, and a second brain MRI scan and neuropsychological assessment at 9‐year follow‐up. We visually rated progression of cSVD‐related MRI markers. FSRP was associated with progressive periventricular white matter hyperintensities (P = .017) and new microbleeds (P = .031), but not after correction for the FSRP age component. FSRP was associated with lower overall cognitive performance (P < .001) and this remained significant after correction for the FSRP age component. A vascular risk score might be useful in predicting progression of cSVD‐related brain damage or future cognitive performance in hypertensive patients. Age seems to be the most important component in FSRP.
Noninvasive measurement of forearm blood flow and oxygen consumption by near-infrared spectroscopy.

We applied near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the simultaneous measurement of forearm blood flow (FBF) and oxygen consumption (VO2) in the human by inducing a 50-mmHg venous occlusion. Eleven healthy subjects were studied both at rest and after hand exercise during vascular occlusion. FBF was also measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. FBF measured by NIRS was 1.9 +/- 0.8 ml.100 ml-1.min-1 at rest and 8.2 +/- 2.9 ml.100 ml-1.min-1 after hand exercise. These values showed a correlation (r = 0.94) with those obtained by the plethysmography. VO2 values were 4.6 +/- 1.3 microM O2 x 100 ml-1.min-1 at rest and 24.9 +/- 11.2 microM O2 x 100 ml-1.min-1 after hand exercise. The scatter of the FBF and VO2 values showed a good correlation between the two variables (r = 0.93). The results demonstrate that NIRS provides the particular advantage of obtaining the contemporary evaluation of blood flow and VO2, allowing correlation of these two variables by a single maneuver without discomfort for the subject.
Ex Utero Harvest of Hematopoietic Stem Cells From Placenta/Umbilical Cord With an Automated Collection System

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the human placenta and umbilical cord blood (UCB) provide a rich source of highly proliferative cells for many clinical uses with advantages over traditional sources like the bone marrow and periphery blood. However, the key current constraint with this source of HSCs is the inadequate number of HSCs cells that can be harvested in a single collection using current approaches, which render a large number of collections unusable on their own, even for pediatric patients. This paper will present the development of a device to enable more efficient harvesting of HSCs from placentas, which can be used ex utero, upon the discharge of placentas after deliveries. The device can be used to facilitate a two-fraction collection process. Results, in terms of mononucleated cells (MNCs) count, CD34+ cells count, as well as flow cytometry, will be furnished to verify the effectiveness of the developed system.
Biological Properties of Olive Oil Phytochemicals

Referee: Dr. Joe Vinson, Chemistry Department, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510 Olive oil is the principal source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with a lower incidence of coronary heart disease and certain cancers. Extra-virgin olive oil contains a considerable amount of phenolic compounds, for example, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, that are responsible for its peculiar taste and for its high stability. Evidence is accumulating to demonstrate that olive oil phenolics are powerful antioxidants, both in vitro and in vivo; also, they exert other potent biological activities that could partially account for the observed healthful effects of the Mediterranean diet.
Cytosolic and Membrane-associated Proteins Involved in the Recruitment of AP-1 Adaptors onto the Trans-Golgi Network*

The AP-1 adaptor complex is recruited from the cytosol onto the trans-Golgi network membrane, where it co-assembles with clathrin into a coat that drives vesicle budding. The GTPase ARF1 has been shown to be required for AP-1 recruitment, and here we demonstrate that we can reconstitute full GTPγS-dependent recruitment of adaptors onto an enriched trans-Golgi network membrane fraction by adding purified AP-1 and recombinant myristylated ARF1, indicating that these are the only soluble proteins required for binding. To identify some of the membrane proteins involved in recruitment, we have incubated permeabilized metabolically labeled cells with cytosol under conditions that promote adaptor binding, then cross-linked the samples with 3,3′dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidylproprionate), denatured by boiling in SDS, and immunoprecipitated with antibodies against the various subunits. Under these conditions, the adaptor subunits co-precipitate not only with each other and with clathrin, but also with three novel proteins: p75, which is specifically cross-linked to γ-adaptin; p80, which is specifically cross-linked to β′-adaptin; and p60, which is specifically cross-linked to AP47. These proteins are all candidates for components of the adaptor docking site on the trans-Golgi network membrane.
Comment allez-vous ? How are you doing? Как поживаешь ? extension de la validité de l’échelle positive de mesure du bien-être au travail (EPBET)

L'objet de cet article est de tester les qualites metriques d'une echelle de mesure positive du bien-etre au travail (EPBET) en dehors de son contexte national de creation. Nos resultats revelent que l'invariance structurelle est preservee quand les pays sont proches en termes de cultures, de pouvoir d'achat et de stabilite des institutions politiques. Ainsi, l'EPBET mesure bien le meme construit aux Etats-Unis et en France. En Ukraine en revanche, la ou la culture nationale est plus collectiviste, le pouvoir d'achat plus limite, et les institutions politiques particulierement instables au moment de l'enquete, une des dimensions-la relation aux temps sociaux-est plus difficile a distinguer. Cette conclusion confirme la these de la contingence du bien-etre au travail. Une proposition d'explication de ces resultats est avancee a la lumiere de la theorie de la comparaison sociale. Les resultats suggerent egalement qu'au-dela d'une simple analyse confirmatoire, la verification detaillee de l'invariance structurelle du construit constitue un prealable indispensable a toutes les etudes internationales consacrees au bien-etre au travail. Mots cles. Bien-etre au travail, invariance structurelle, comparaison internationale, Amerique du Nord, France, Ukraine, pouvoir d'achat, culture, institutions politiques.
Host and virus strain dependence in activation of human macrophages by human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neuropathogenesis occurs in a large minority of infected people. Presently, there are neither viral nor cellular markers that predict the development of brain disease during HIV-1 infection. This study was conducted to determine whether there exist systematic differences among human cell donors and virus strains for the activation of macrophage gene expression by HIV-1 that may contribute to neuropathogenesis. Four HIV-1, ADA and B-aL, which were isolated from peripheral tissues of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, and DJV and YU-2, which were isolated from brains of patients with HIV-1-associated dementia, were compared for induction of expression of cellular genes associated with antiviral activity or inflammation in monocyte-derived macrophages from several donors. Virus replication and cytokine production were scored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cellular transcripts were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ADA and B-aL productively infected cells from all donors tested and induced all cellular transcripts tested, illustrating a common response of macrophages to HIV-1 replication. In sharp contrast, the viruses associated with neuropathogenesis, DJV and YU-2, induced intense gene expression early after infection in cells from a subset of donors but DJV did not productively infect these cells. No such heterogeneity was observed in the responses of macrophages during high-level replication of any HIV-1 tested. The susceptibility to early activation by HIV-1 may reflect susceptibility to neuropathogenesis in AIDS.
Patterns of hypertension management in Italy: results of a pharmacoepidemiological survey on antihypertensive therapy

Objective To collect statistically significant information on patterns of antihypertensive therapy in medical practice, with particular attention to the drugs used in the pharmacological management of hypertensive patients and the reasons for the limited achievement of therapeutic goals during treatment. Design A survey conducted among general practitioners, specialists, and hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 28 000 physicians were contacted by letter and 3394 declared their willingness to participate and received a questionnaire. Subsequently, 1255 questionnaires suitable for analysis (corresponding to 37.0% of adhering physicians) were received. In addition, 4612 questionnaires completed by patients were pooled and evaluated. The prevalence of hypertension was calculated from a base of 254 192 patients, seen by general practitioners. Results The prevalence of hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥95 mmHg, or current treatment, was 19.7%. The average number of hypertensive patients in each general practitioner's file, covering the previous 12 months, was approximately 230. Physicians reported a 66% rate of discontinuation of treatment or switching to another drug. Physicians and patients both considered inadequate blood pressure control and side effects to be the two main reasons for switching antihypertensive therapy, but in opposite order. Furthermore, physicians indicated a prevalence of drug side effects between 10 and 20%, according to class of drug used, whereas 69% of patients reported to have experienced side effects. In the doctors' opinions, there were many reasons for poor patient adherence: complexity of the drug regimen, appearance of side effects, forgetfulness, reduced patient understanding of the need for long-term continuation of treatment, and refusal to accept a chronic pathological condition. Conclusions The survey showed awareness of the disease among physicians and provides a representation of the experiences of both general practitioners and specialists, in addition to that of their patients. During antihypertensive therapy, a disconcerting degree of discontinuation and switching of drugs occurred. Insufficient blood pressure control and side effects accounted for most of the observed treatment changes. This survey revealed the existence of a gap between the physicians' perception of tolerability and the real experience of patients, a clear need for greater tolerability of treatments, and a need for an enhancement of patient-physician communication.
Effects of environmental education programming on student-athletes’ environmental and academic orientations

Many surveys exist which measure environmental orientations, yet few measure the learning outcomes, such as self-efficacy, motivation, and self-regulatory learning, sought in recent efforts by environmental education researchers. This study created a survey which comprehensively measured attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, academic self-efficacy, selfregulatory learning, motivation, and use of learning strategies as a result of environmental education programming. A pilot survey was tested with 91 student-athletes in spring 2014. After revisions the final survey was administered to 140 student-athletes, 64 of whom completed the study in Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. The development of the survey was part of a broader study which also measured the effects of environmental education programming within academic mentoring. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for each construct in the survey were above 0.7. Item loadings on each construct were above 0.5 with no cross-loading items. However, additional studies are needed to determine the survey’s efficacy in regard to environmental values, environmental knowledge, motivation, and use of learning strategies.
Maternal Heme Oxygenase 1 Regulates Placental Vasculature Development via Angiogenic Factors in Mice1

The placental vasculature is critical for nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between the maternal and fetal systems. Its development depends on the proper expression and interaction of angiogenesis and associated growth factors. Heme oxygenase (HMOX), the enzyme for heme degradation, plays a role in angiogenesis and is highly expressed in the placenta. To evaluate the role of maternal HMOX1, the inducible HMOX isozyme, on placental vasculature formation, mice with a partial deficiency in Hmox1 (Hmox1+/−) were used. Three-dimensional images of placental vasculatures as well as spiral arteries from Hmox1+/+ or Hmox1+/− placentas were created by vascular corrosion casting technique and imaged by micro-computerized tomography (microCT). The structures and morphologies of fetomaternal interfaces were observed by histological staining and the ultrastructure of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, a major regulator in spiral artery remodeling, was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. A group of growth factors and angiogenic factors from the decidua/mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) as well as labyrinth regions were quantified using an angiogenesis PCR array kit and compared between Hmox1+/+ or Hmox1+/− placentas. In conclusion, a partial deficiency of maternal Hmox1 resulted in the malformation of fetomaternal interface, insufficiency of spiral artery remodeling, and alteration of uNK cell differentiation and maturation. These changes were independent of the fetal genotype, but relied on the maternal HMOX1 level, which determined the balance of expression levels of pro- and antiangiogenic factors in the decidua/MLAp region. These results implied that Hmox1 polymorphisms among the human population might contribute to some unexplained cases of pregnancy disorders, such as fetal growth retardation and preeclampsia.
Accumulation of prohibitin is a common cellular response to different stressing stimuli and protects melanoma cells from ER stress and chemotherapy-induced cell death

Melanoma is responsible for most deaths among skin cancers and conventional and palliative care chemotherapy are limited due to the development of chemoresistance. We used proteomic analysis to identify cellular responses that lead to chemoresistance of human melanoma cell lines to cisplatin. A systems approach to the proteomic data indicated the participation of specific cellular processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial organization and homeostasis, as well as the unfolded protein response (UPR) to be required for the survival of cells treated with cisplatin. Prohibitin (PHB) was among the proteins consistently accumulated, interacting with the functional clusters associated with resistance to cisplatin. We showed PHB accumulated at different levels in melanoma cell lines under stressing stimuli, such as (i) treatment with temozolomide (TMZ), dacarbazine (DTIC) and cisplatin; (ii) serum deprivation; (iii) tunicamycin, an UPR inducer. Prohibitin accumulated in the mitochondria of melanoma cells after cisplatin and tunicamycin treatment and its de novo accumulation led to chemoresistance melanoma cell lines. In contrast, PHB knock-down sensitized melanoma cells to cisplatin and tunicamycin treatment. We conclude that PHB participates in the survival of cells exposed to different stress stimuli, and can therefore serve as a target for the sensitization of melanoma cells to chemotherapy.