Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using a Notion of Acceptable in Uncertain Ordinal Decision Making

We focus on the problem of constructing decision functions to aid in the valuation of alternatives in uncertain decision making. We discuss different types of scales available for representing the payoffs associated with the alternatives. Here we consider the case in which our basic scale is an ordinal scale. Here however we augment this ordinal scale by allowing an additional notion. We indicate one special element on the scale which we call the denoted element. We name such a scale a Denoted Ordinal Scale (DOS). We point out that a DOS allows a binary partitioning of the basic ordinal scale which can be associated with differing semantics and used for various purposes. Here we focus on a binary partitioning and use a semantics which provides a classification of payoffs as to whether they are acceptable or not. This allows us to have information such as A is preferred to B but both are acceptable. We show how a DOS with this semantics can be used to construct sophisticated decision functions.
Quantifying Background Nutrient Concentrations in Coastal Waters: A Case Study from an Urban Embayment of the Baltic Sea

Abstract Successful management of damaged coastal ecosystems requires reliable scientific evidence of their past state. Here we demonstrate that the sediment record of biotic indicators can be used to quantitatively reconstruct nutrient concentrations preceding the short time span covered by monitoring records. We generated a diatom-based weighted-averaging partial least squares transfer function model for total dissolved nitrogen with a prediction accuracy of 0.09 µg L−1 (log10 units). The model was applied to sediment core data from Laajalahti Bay, an urban embayment in Helsinki, Finland, where its performance was validated against a ∼ 30 yr record of water-quality data and known land-use changes in the watershed. The model tracked well the trends in the nutrient record, although it underestimated very high nutrient concentrations in this highly impacted embayment. The generally good agreement between the actual and predicted values implies that the approach has considerable potential in assessing background nutrient concentrations in coastal waters.
How diet interacts with longevity genes

In laboratory mice, suppression of growth hormone (GH) signaling by spontaneous mutations or targeted disruption of GH- or IGF1-related genes can lead to an impressive increase of longevity. Hypopituitary Ames dwarf (Prop1df) and GH receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice live 35–70% longer than their normal littermates. Many phenotypic characteristics of these long-lived mutants resemble findings in genetically normal animals subjected to calorie restriction (CR). Microarray and RT-PCR studies of gene expression suggest that effects of the “longevity assurance genes” (Prop1df or Ghr-/-) and CR are overlapping but not identical. Subjecting Ames dwarf mice to 30% CR starting at 2 months of age leads to a further significant extension of their average and maximal lifespans. In contrast, identical CR regimen has either no or very little effect (depending on gender) on longevity of GHRKO mice. We suspect that this difference in response is related to the fact that CR improves insulin sensitivity in Ames dwarfs but does not further increase the extreme insulin sensitivity of GHRKO mice. To search for effects of CR associated with extension of longevity, we are studying expression of insulin and IGF1-related genes in the liver, skeletal muscle and heart of normal and GHRKO mice. Results obtained to date suggest that reduced Akt phosphorylation and PPAR β/δ expression in the liver, reduced JNK1 phosphorylation and increased PGC1α expression in the muscle, and increased expression of IGF1 and insulin receptor in the heart are either related to mechanisms of CR action on longevity or represent potential biomarkers of delayed aging.
Effects of household composition and income security on body weight in working‐age men

Many recent studies have provided evidence suggesting that increases in body weight may spread via social networks. The mechanism(s) by which this might occur have become the subject of much speculation, but to date little direct evidence has been available. Building on evidence from economics, anthropology, and behavioral biology, within‐household peers might influence body weight via implicit provision of income security was hypothesized.
The Evolution of Class 1 Integrons and the Rise of Antibiotic Resistance

ABSTRACT Class 1 integrons are central players in the worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance, because they can capture and express diverse resistance genes. In addition, they are often embedded in promiscuous plasmids and transposons, facilitating their lateral transfer into a wide range of pathogens. Understanding the origin of these elements is important for the practical control of antibiotic resistance and for exploring how lateral gene transfer can seriously impact on, and be impacted by, human activities. We now show that class 1 integrons can be found on the chromosomes of nonpathogenic soil and freshwater Betaproteobacteria. Here they exhibit structural and sequence diversity, an absence of antibiotic resistance genes, and a phylogenetic signature of lateral transfer. Some examples are almost identical to the core of the class 1 integrons now found in pathogens, leading us to conclude that environmental Betaproteobacteria were the original source of these genetic elements. Because these elements appear to be readily mobilized, their lateral transfer into human commensals and pathogens was inevitable, especially given that Betaproteobacteria carrying class 1 integrons are common in natural environments that intersect with the human food chain. The strong selection pressure imposed by the human use of antimicrobial compounds then ensured their fixation and global spread into new species.
DiscriminantAnalysisof LaboratoryTests in PatientsAdmittedto a Coronary Care Unit

Discnminant analysis of chemistry and hematology laboratory test results was used to classify patients with and without myocardial infarction in a coronary care unit. We studied 64 patients with myocardial infarction and 70 patients without infarction, using logistic regression, linear and quadratic discriminant analyses on untransformed and logarithmically transformed data. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), the best single discriminating test, classified 73% of patients correctly. Quadratic discriminant analysis on log-transformed data had a 98.5% classification accuracy when all variables were used in the discriminant function and had the highest classification accuracy and precision. All of the discriminant methods had acceptable cross-validation.
A hierarchical model of domains of disablement in the elderly: a longitudinal approach

Purpose : the aims of this paper are to verify that a hierarchical relationship exists between the concepts of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and mobility and to use this hierarchical model to describe the evolution of disability. Methods : 3751 elderly community dwellers were followed-up 3 and 5 years after baseline interview. A hierarchic disability scale was computed by summing up the number of domains (ADL, IADL, mobility) in which a subject was dependent. Coefficients of scalability and reproducibility of the scale were computed. The hierarchic scale was used to describe transitions between states at each follow-up. Results : the hierarchical model fitted 99.3% of the subjects at baseline. At each follow-up most transitions were towards contiguous grades of disability in survivors, whatever their age. There was a significant trend towards increasing disability. Death rates were higher in subjects aged 75 and over, whatever their disability level. The patterns of evolution differed according to gender. Conclusions : the cumulative disability scale can be used to describe the evolution of disability with time in elderly community dwellers.
Femtosecond laser ablation in aqueous solutions: a novel method to synthesize non-toxic metal colloids with controllable size

We review results of the femtosecond laser ablation of noble metals in pure water to synthesize colloidal nanoparticles. We show that such ablation leads to the formation of two different populations of nanoparticles (low and highly size-dispersed ones), while their mean size and relative contribution are strongly affected by the intensity of pumping radiation. Analyses of ablation craters on the target surface enables to relate the appearance of these populations to photon- and plasma-induced ablation mechanisms, respectively. The nanoparticles produced are of importance for biological sensing and imaging applications.
Prospective dosing of warfarin based on cytochrome P-450 2C9 genotype

Summary Cytochrome P-450 2C9 (CYP2C9) polymorphisms (CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3) reduce the clearance of warfarin, increase the risk of bleeding, and prolong the time to stable dosing. Whether prospective use of a retrospectively developed algorithm that incorporates CYP2C9 genotype and nongenetic factors can ameliorate the propensity to bleeding and delay in achieving a stable warfarin dose is unknown. We initiated warfarin therapy in 48 orthopedic patients tailored to the following variables: CYP2C9 genotype, age, weight, height, gender, race, and use of simvastatin or amiodarone. By using pharmacogenetics-based dosing, patients with a CYP2C9 variant achieved a stable, therapeutic warfarin dose without excessive delay. However compared to those without a CYP2C9 variant, patients with a variant continued to be at increased risk (hazard ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4–9.5, p = 0.01) for an adverse outcome (principally INR > 4), despite pharmacogenetics-based dosing. There was a linear relationship (R2 = 0.42, p < 0.001) between the pharmacogenetics-predicted warfarin doses and the warfarin maintenance doses, prospectively validating the dosing algorithm. Prospective, perioperative pharmacogenetics-based dosing of warfarin is feasible; however, further evaluation in a randomized, controlled study is recommended.
Posterior‐Anterior and Lateral Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry for the Assessment of Vertebral Osteoporosis and Bone Loss Among Older Men

Lateral spine dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) selectively measures the trabecular‐rich vertebral bodies without the contributions of the cortical‐rich posterior elements of the spine and is less affected by spinal degenerative disease than posterior‐anterior DXA. We tested whether lateral DXA detects vertebral osteoporosis more often and is more sensitive to age‐related bone loss than posterior‐anterior DXA in 193 healthy, community‐dwelling men aged 51–81 years (mean ± SD; 67 ± 8 years). All men had supine lateral, posterior‐anterior, and proximal femur DXA scans on a Hologic QDR 2000 densitometer. A subset (n = 102) had repeat scans after 4 years to determine annualized rates of change in bone mineral density (BMD). Age was inversely and significantly associated with BMD in the midlateral (r = −0.27) and lateral (r = −0.24) but not posterior‐anterior (r = 0.04) projections. Midlateral (−1.43 ± 3.48% per year; p = 0.0001), lateral (−0.27 ± 1.68% per year; p = 0.12), and hip (−0.19 ± 1.02% per year; p = 0.06) BMD decreased, whereas posterior‐anterior BMD increased (0.73 ± 1.11% per year; p = 0.0001) during follow‐up. When compared with normal values in 43 men aged 21–42 years, mean T scores were significantly lower with lateral (−1.47 ± 1.32) and midlateral (−1.57 ± 1.36) than posterior‐anterior (−0.12 ± 1.30; p < 0.0001) DXA. Only 2.6% of the older men were considered osteoporotic (T score ≤ −2.5) at the posterior‐anterior spine, whereas 11.0% were osteoporotic at the femoral neck, 22.5% at the lateral spine, and 24.6% were osteoporotic at the midlateral spine. We conclude that supine lateral DXA identifies considerably more men as osteoporotic and is more sensitive to age‐related bone loss than posterior‐anterior DXA. Spinal osteoporosis may represent a substantially greater health problem among older men than previously recognized.
Strained silicon nanowire array MOSFETs with high-k/metal gate stack

This paper presents experimental results on metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) featuring an array of 1000 trigated uniaxially strained nanowires with a cross-sections of 15 × 15 nm<sup>2</sup> in combination with a HfO<sub>2</sub>/TiN gate stack. The high uniaxial strain along the wires reduces the band gap energy by approximately 140 meV and enhances the electron mobility. Ideal inverse subthreshold slopes of n- and p-channel devices of 60 (62) mV/dec at room temperature and I<sub>on</sub>/I<sub>off</sub> ratios up to 10<sup>10</sup> were obtained.
Myeloperoxidase: Contribution to the Microbicidal Activity of Intact Leukocytes

Azide and, to a lesser extent, cyanide inhibit the microbicidal activity of myeloperoxidase and of intact normal leukocytes, but they have little or no effect on peroxidase-negative leukocytes. The contribution of the azide-sensitive (peroxidase-dependent? ) systems to the total microbicidal activity of normal leukocytes is considerable. The azide-insensitive antimicrobial systems are more highly developed in peroxidase-negative leukocytes than in normal leukocytes, thus suggesting an adaptation.
Comparative assessment of nutritional and biological value of beef from calves of various breeds

The article presents the results of the research studies on comparative assessment of the nutritional and biological value of beef from calves of Simmental (I), Black-and-White (II), Bestuzhev (III), Hereford (IV) and Aberdeen Angus (V) breeds. The calves of Simmental, Hereford, and Aberdeen Angus breeds had the parameter of the carcass weight higher than the calves of Black-and-White and Bestuzhev breeds, at the average, by 7.3 (3.2 %) and 14.6 kg (6.7 %), respectively. The protein proportion in meat of the calf carcasses in all groups was 18.60-19.24 %. The meat from the Hereford youngsters contained more fat than meat of the calves in group I by 1.05 %, in group II – by 1.51 %, and in group III – by 1.77 %. The calculation of the biological value of protein showed that the beef breeds have a more balanced ratio of essential amino acids in their meat. The total content of amino acids in meat from the animals of the Aberdeen Angus breed was 327 mg per 1 g of protein, which is more by 3.8 %, 13.1, 11.2, and 2.8 % as compared with the calves in groups I, II, III, and IV. Thus, the beef obtained at slaughter of young stock of different breeds was evaluated as complete and balanced raw material in the matter of amino acid composition. Containing all essential amino acids for the protein synthesis flow, the meat was qualified for human consumption.
Arterial Velocity Pulse Index as a Novel Marker of Atherosclerosis Using Pulse Wave Analysis on High Sensitivity Troponin T in Hypertensive Patients

Background The arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) is explored as a novel marker of atherosclerosis using pulse wave analysis in clinical settings. Recent clinical studies have reported that the level of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) is an important biomarker in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of AVI on hs-cTnT in these patients. Methods This study enrolled 455 hypertensive outpatients (181 males and 274 females; mean age, 65 ± 11 years (mean ± standard deviation)) without a history of cardiovascular events. AVI and hs-cTnT levels were measured using a commercial device, and relations among various clinical parameters, including AVI and hs-cTnT, were examined. Results Hs-cTnT was detected in 405 patients (89.0%). AVI was significantly higher in patients with detectable hs-cTnT than in those without (28 ± 7 vs. 24 ± 8, respectively, P < 0.001). In patients with detectable hs-cTnT, there was a significant positive correlation between AVI and hs-cTnT (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). Furthermore, multiple regression analyses revealed that AVI was an independent variable when hs-cTnT was used as a subordinate factor. On the other hand, hs-cTnT age, Cornell electrocardiographic voltage, height, urinary albumin excretion, pulse rate, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites test were independent variables when AVI was used as a subordinate factor. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that AVI reflects features of arterial wave reflection and is an important factor for hs-cTnT elevation in hypertensive patients.
Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 subtype C melanesian genetic variants of the Vanuatu Archipelago and Solomon Islands share a common ancestor.

BACKGROUND Melanesia is endemic for human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) subtype C. In 2005, we identified 4 infected women from Ambae Island, Vanuatu. Subsequently, 4247 Ni-Vanuatu originating from 18 islands were enrolled to define HTLV-1 epidemiological determinants and to characterize the viral strains molecularly. METHODS Plasma from 1074 males and 3173 females were screened for HTLV-1/2 antibodies by particle agglutination (PA) and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Positive and/or borderline samples were then tested by a Western blot (WB) confirmatory assay. DNAs were amplified to obtain a 522-bp env gene fragment. Phylogenetic and molecular-clock analyses were performed. RESULTS Of 4247 samples, 762 were positive and/or borderline by IFA/PA, and 26 of them were confirmed to be HTLV-1 positive by WB. The overall HTLV-1 seroprevalence was 0.62%. Viral transmission was found within families of infected index case patients. A geographic heterogeneity of HTLV-1 seroprevalence was observed among the islands. All 41 of the new env sequences belonged to HTLV-1 subtype C. Phylogenetic and molecular-clock analyses suggested that Ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islander strains emerged from a common ancestor ~10,000 years ago. CONCLUSION The Vanuatu archipelago is endemic for HTLV-1 with a diversity of subtype C variants. These strains were probably introduced into Vanuatu during ancient migration of the original settlers a few thousand years ago.
The Groucho/Transducin-like Enhancer of split Transcriptional Repressors Interact with the Genetically Defined Amino-terminal Silencing Domain of Histone H3*

Groucho is a transcriptional repressor implicated in Notch signaling and involved in neural development and segmentation in Drosophila. We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of Groucho and its mammalian homologs, the transducin-like Enhancer of split (TLE) proteins. We report that Groucho/TLEs are associated with chromatin in live cells and that they co-purify with isolated histones. Affinity chromatography and far Western blotting studies show further that native Groucho/TLE proteins interact specifically with histone H3 and not with other core histones. This interaction is mediated by the H3 amino-terminal domain previously shown by genetic analysis in yeast to be essential for the role of H3 in transcriptional silencing. We also demonstrate that Groucho/TLEs form oligomeric structures in vivo. These combined findings suggest that transcription complexes containing Groucho/TLEs may associate with chromatin through interactions with the amino terminus of histone H3 and that these interactions may be propagated along the chromosome due to the ability of Groucho/TLEs to participate in higher order structures.
THE ACTIVATION OF THERMOPHILIC SPORES BY FURFURAL

simple mixed culture. Unfortunately, however, all of the double mutants that have been isolated are extremely unstable and revert to a mixture of single and double mutants after several serial transfers on complete medium using mass inoculation. On the other hand, all 3 of the single requiring amino acid mutants used in these experiments are quite stable and have been maintained without difficulty for over 3 years on nutrient agar slants. A second characteristic of the double mutants which clearly establishes the fact that they are different from the wild type and the original mutants is the luminescence. The light intensity of all of the double mutants is never more than 20 to 25 per cent of the wild type even on complete medium, whereas on liquid minimal medium plus the necessary growth factors the light may be completely absent except during the latter stages of growth. The strongest argument in favor of a recombination similar to that observed by Lederberg can be based upon the recoverable prototrophs. The prototrophs obtained from the mixtures are extremely stable in contrast to the double mutants and exhibit both growth and luminescent characteristics similar to the wild type. Additional experiments concerning the conditions under which we obtained the foregoing results also support the conclusion that a recombination is occurring. The evidence in table 1 indicates that a certain time lapse after mixing is essential in order to obtain prototrophs and double mutants. In addition, it has not been possible to obtain prototrophs by plating immediately from the mixed culture onto the minimal medium. It is necessary to plate onto complete medium and subsequently isolate individual colonies for testing. This observation is in agreement with previously reported results concerning the stability of the wild type organism when suspended in the minimal medium (Miller, H., Farghaly, A. H., and McElroy, W. D., J. Bact. 57, 595, 1949). The number of recoverable prototrophs and double mutants appears to be extremely high considering the conditions under which the experiments were performed. Therefore, the possibility that a specific transformation may have been responsible for the observed results should not be excluded.
Evolutionarily conserved exon definition interactions with U11 snRNP mediate alternative splicing regulation on U11–48K and U11/U12–65K genes

Many splicing regulators bind to their own pre-mRNAs to induce alternative splicing that leads to formation of unstable mRNA isoforms. This provides an autoregulatory feedback mechanism that regulates the cellular homeostasis of these factors. We have described such an autoregulatory mechanism for two core protein components, U11–48K and U11/U12–65K, of the U12-dependent spliceosome. This regulatory system uses an atypical splicing enhancer element termed USSE (U11 snRNP-binding splicing enhancer), which contains two U12-type consensus 5′ splice sites (5′ss). Evolutionary analysis of the USSE element from a large number of animal and plant species indicate that USSE sequence must be located 25–50 nt downstream from the target 3′ splice site (3′ss). Together with functional evidence showing a loss of USSE activity when this distance is reduced and a requirement for RS-domain of U11–35K protein for 3′ss activation, our data suggests that U11 snRNP bound to USSE uses exon definition interactions for regulating alternative splicing. However, unlike standard exon definition where the 5′ss bound by U1 or U11 will be subsequently activated for splicing, the USSE element functions similarly as an exonic splicing enhancer and is involved only in upstream splice site activation but does not function as a splicing donor. Additionally, our evolutionary and functional data suggests that the function of the 5′ss duplication within the USSE elements is to allow binding of two U11/U12 di-snRNPs that stabilize each others' binding through putative mutual interactions.