Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ranking Schemes in Hybrid Boolean Systems: A New Approach

In most commercial online systems, the retrieval system is based on the Boolean model and its inverted file organization. Since the investment in these systems is so great and changing them could be economically unfeasible, this article suggests a new ranking scheme especially adapted for hypertext environments in order to produce more effective retrieval results and yet maintain the effectiveness of the investment made to date in the Boolean model. To select the retrieved documents, the suggested ranking strategy uses multiple sources of document content evidence. The proposed scheme integrates both the information provided by the index and query terms, and the inherent relationships between documents such as bibliographic references or hypertext links. We will demonstrate that our scheme represents an integration of both subject and citation indexing, and results in a significant improvement over classical ranking schemes used in hybrid Boolean systems, while preserving its efficiency. Moreover, through knowing the nearest neighbor and the hypertext links which constitute additional sources of evidence, our strategy will take them into account in order to further improve retrieval effectiveness and to provide good starting points for browsing in a hypertext or hypermedia environment.
Separating Significant Matches from Spurious Matches in DNA Sequences

Word matches are widely used to compare genomic sequences. Complete genome alignment methods often rely on the use of matches as anchors for building their alignments, and various alignment-free approaches that characterize similarities between large sequences are based on word matches. Among matches that are retrieved from the comparison of two genomic sequences, a part of them may correspond to spurious matches (SMs), which are matches obtained by chance rather than by homologous relationships. The number of SMs depends on the minimal match length (ℓ) that has to be set in the algorithm used to retrieve them. Indeed, if ℓ is too small, a lot of matches are recovered but most of them are SMs. Conversely, if ℓ is too large, fewer matches are retrieved but many smaller significant matches are certainly ignored. To date, the choice of ℓ mostly depends on empirical threshold values rather than robust statistical methods. To overcome this problem, we propose a statistical approach based on the use of a mixture model of geometric distributions to characterize the distribution of the length of matches obtained from the comparison of two genomic sequences.
Immunocompetent cell markers in human fetal astrocytes and neurons in culture

During the past few years, evidence has accumulated that interaction with peripheral immune cells as well as immunoregolatory functions in the central nervous system (CNS) can be played by several types of brain resident cells. Since very little information is available in man, however, we investigated the presence of markers so far considered typical of immunocompetent cells in in vitro cultures of human fetal brain. Immunocytochemistry at the light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopic levels revealed positivity for a very restricted range of macrophage antigens in astrocytes, which, however, were incapable of phagocytosis. In particular, expression of the major histocompatibility complex–class II antigen HLADR was observed in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface of GFA‐P+ astrocytes and increased with time in culture and cell passages. Among the T‐lymphocyte markers tested, Thy.1 and CD4 were positive. Both neurons and astrocytes carried Thy.1 from early cell passages. Noteworthy was the presence of CD4, which serves as the receptor for AIDS virus, in neurons from the first 2 weeks, whereas astrocytes became positive after only 4–6 weeks. Even if most staining was in the cytoplasm, some was exposed on cell surface. Astrocytes were found positive for the B‐lymphocyte marker CD21, the cellular receptor for Epstein‐Barr virus, whereas CD24 was detected in both neurons and astrocytes. Both antigens are related to B‐cell proliferation. Results are in favour of the hypothesis of human brain cells being actively involved in CNS immunological events. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The excess of atopic eczema in East Germany is related to the intrinsic type

Background Prevalence data for atopic eczema based on a dermatological examination have not so far been available for East and West Germany. Possible differences in the proportions of extrinsic and intrinsic types of eczema, and how far these could explain differences in the prevalence of eczema, need to be clarified. Objectives To compare the prevalence of atopic eczema in pre‐school children between different locations in East and West Germany, and over a period of 7 years, at three time points. Additionally, to determine the proportions of intrinsic and extrinsic types of eczema by taking skin prick test reactivity into account.
Clinical correlates and diagnostic utility of osmophobia in migraine

Background: Osmophobia is an under-investigated associated symptom in migraine. Objective: To evaluate the clinical correlates and diagnostic utility of osmophobia. Methods: Adult patients with migraine (with or without aura), probable migraine (PM), tension-type headache (TTH), and cluster headache (CH) were recruited retrospectively from our headache registration system. Migraine patients with and without osmophobia were compared. The newly proposed criteria for migraine requiring at least two of photo-, phono-, or osmophobia instead of both photo- and phonophobia were validated. Results: In total, 2883 patients were included: 1809 migraine, 792 PM, 138 TTH, and 144 CH. Osmophobia was more common in migraine (62.2%) than in PM (33.8%), TTH (14.5%), and CH (31.3%) (all p < 0.001). Migraine patients with osmophobia scored higher on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) than those without (15.6 ± 7.6 vs. 13.3 ± 7.8, p < 0.001). The concordance in headache diagnoses between ICHD-2 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, Second Edition) and the newly proposed criteria was “almost perfect” (κ = 0.886, p < 0.001). Additionally, 16.9% of ICHD-2 PM patients were reclassified as migraine using the newly proposed criteria. Conclusions: Osmophobia was prevalent in migraineurs, and was associated with higher HADS scores. The newly proposed criteria appear comparable to the ICHD-2 criteria, and may increase the diagnostic yield for Asian migraineurs, among whom photophobia was less common.
Altered emotional behavioral responses in mice lacking brain‐type fatty acid‐binding protein gene

Brain‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (B‐FABP) belongs to a family of intracellular lipid‐binding proteins. B‐FABP exhibits a binding affinity to long‐chain fatty acids (FAs) whose effects on brain functions including development, emotion, learning and memory have been proposed. B‐FABP is localized in the ventricular germinal cells in embryonic brain and astrocytes in developing and mature brain of rodents. In the present study we generated the mouse harboring a null mutation in the B‐FABP gene and studied its phenotype. B‐FABP mutant mice exhibited the enhanced anxiety and increased fear memory as well as the decreased content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their brain during the neonatal period without detection of any histological changes in the brain. In the adult brain, B‐FABP was localized more numerously to the astrocytes in the amygdala and septal area than to those in the hippocampal area. Analysis of FA content in the amygdala of adult brain revealed that arachidonic and palmitic acids increased significantly in the mutant mice compared with wild‐type. Furthermore, the response of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor‐mediated current to DHA in isolated neurons from B‐FABP mutant brain was significantly decreased compared with that of wild‐type, while no significant differences were detected in behavioral responses related to the spatial learning/memory or in the hippocampal long‐term potentiation. These data indicate that B‐FABP is crucially involved in the fear memory and anxiety through its binding with FAs and/or its own direct effects on pertinent metabolism/signaling of FAs.
Effects of cytosine methylation on DNA charge transport

The methylation of cytosine bases in DNA commonly takes place in the human genome and its abnormality can be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of genetic diseases. In this paper we explore the effects of cytosine methylation on the conductance of DNA. Although the methyl group is a small chemical modification, and has a van der Waals radius of only 2 Å, its presence significantly changes the duplex stability, and as such may also affect the conductance properties of DNA. To determine if charge transport through the DNA stack is sensitive to this important biological modification we perform multiple conductance measurements on a methylated DNA molecule with an alternating G:C sequence and its non-methylated counterpart. From these studies we find a measurable difference in the conductance between the two types of molecules, and demonstrate that this difference is statistically significant. The conductance values of these molecules are also compared with a similar sequence that has been previously studied to help elucidate the charge transport mechanisms involved in direct DNA conductance measurements.
RJR Nabisco's cartoon camel promotes camel cigarettes to children.

OBJECTIVES To determine if RJR Nabisco's cartoon-theme advertising is more effective in promoting Camel cigarettes to children or to adults. To determine if children see, remember, and are influenced by cigarette advertising. DESIGN Use of four standard marketing measures to compare the effects of Camel's Old Joe cartoon advertising on children and adults. SUBJECTS High school students, grades 9 through 12, from five regions of the United States, and adults, aged 21 years and over, from Massachusetts. OUTCOME MEASURES Recognition of Camel's Old Joe cartoon character, product and brand name recall, brand preference, appeal of advertising themes. RESULTS Children were more likely to report prior exposure to the Old Joe cartoon character (97.7% vs 72.2%; P less than .0001). Children were better able to identify the type of product being advertised (97.5% vs 67.0%; P less than .0001) and the the Camel cigarette brand name (93.6% vs 57.7%; P less than .0001). Children also found the Camel cigarette advertisements more appealing (P less than .0001). Camel's share of the illegal children's cigarette market segment has increased from 0.5% to 32.8%, representing sales estimated at $476 million per year. CONCLUSION Old Joe Camel cartoon advertisements are far more successful at marketing Camel cigarettes to children than to adults. This finding is consistent with tobacco industry documents that indicate that a major function of tobacco advertising is to promote and maintain tobacco addiction among children.
Gene-temperament interactions might distinguish between bipolar I and bipolar II disorders: a cross-sectional survey of Han Chinese in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND Whether bipolar II disorder is a distinct disorder or simply a milder form of bipolar I disorder has been debated. Family, twin, and adoption studies provide robust evidence of genetic contributions to bipolar disorder, and heritable temperaments are also believed to contribute to the susceptibility to bipolar disorders. In this study, we sought to clarify the relationship between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. METHOD In this cross-sectional survey, 314 participants (82 bipolar I disorder patients, 121 bipolar II disorder patients, and 111 healthy controls) completed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale, and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, which assessed the personality dimensions of novelty seeking and harm avoidance. We also determined which participants carried the serine-to-glycine substitution at amino acid position 9 polymorphism of the dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) and the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotypes. All patients met the DSM-IV-TR diagnosis criteria for bipolar disorder. This study was conducted from September 2005 to July 2009 at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, and Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. RESULTS Binary logistic regression analysis showed significant main effects for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (P = .045), novelty seeking (P = .022), and harm avoidance (P = .017) scores and a significant interaction effect between harm avoidance and 5-HTTLPR genotypes (P = .042) in distinguishing between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder patients. Bipolar I disorder patients with the long allele at 5-HTTLPR had lower harm avoidance scores than did bipolar II disorder patients (bipolar I disorder = 16.23, bipolar II disorder = 19.80; P = .023); however, the difference was not significant after multiple test correction. All these data suggest a distinction between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. CONCLUSIONS We provide initial evidence that 5-HTTLPR genotypes might moderate the association between harm avoidance and bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. There appear to be unique differences in the gene-temperament interactions of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder patients.
Poziom obsługi popytu i stopień ilościowej realizacji zamówień dla różnych rozkładów prawdopodobieństwa popytu

In the paper the possibility of deriving certain me asures of service level in the classical stochastic inventory models is studied. The most popular probabilistic demand distributions are considered, namely continuous normal and gamma dis tribution and discreet Poisson distribution. For the mentioned distributio ns the probability of no stockout called cycle serv ice level and the fill rate are cited and simplified. In order to compute these qua ntities the knowledge of the demand distribution in the lead time is necessary. The possibility of calculation of the lead time dis tribution given the demand distribution in time is al o considered. Finally some computational examples are presented.
What are we going to do with you? Gastroenterology service providers' perceptions of "difficult to manage" IBD patients.

BACKGROUND This paper reports the results of a systematic survey of members of a clinical gastroenterology service to determine their perceptions of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were deemed to function poorly and were difficult to manage clinically. OBJECTIVES To assess objectively the defining characteristics of this perceived subgroup of patients who are encountered in virtually all gastroenterology services. METHODS A sample of gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons (n=10), as well as gastrointestinal nurses (n=19), was surveyed regarding their beliefs about the characteristics of patients with IBD who they judged to be extremely "difficult to manage". A survey was developed to assess patient characteristics (eg, symptom presentation, narcotic over-reliance, interpersonal behaviour and illness behaviour) and the emotional impact that this perceived patient group has on individual staff members as well as on the functioning of the gastrointestinal team. RESULTS The data indicated that patients with IBD who were perceived to be poorly functioning were viewed to have high levels of dysfunctional behaviour. In particular, negative behaviours (eg, manipulative interpersonal behaviours and excessive illness behaviours) were noted. Not only were these categories of behaviours high in frequency, but survey participants also rated these categories of behaviour to be highly distinct from those of typical patients with IBD. Moreover, this perceived patient group was reported to have a negative impact on individual staff and on the gastrointestinal team, and participants confirmed that they experience significant frustration and hostility when they work with these patients. CONCLUSIONS These data, if replicated, confirm the general clinical opinion that a small subgroup of "difficult to manage" and poorly functioning patients with IBD exists. These patients appear to differ from typical patients with IBD in interpersonal characteristics more than in medical characteristics. If follow-up research, which is currently underway by the authors' group, shows that groups of poorly functioning gastrointestinal patients and typical gastrointestinal patients actually differ in measures of illness behaviour, then novel treatment approaches to improve the clinical services that are provided to these patients can be developed.
Hispanic and Black Student Educational Attainment in Texas Career Colleges: A Multiyear Statewide Analysis

The purpose of the study was to examine the educational attainment rates of Hispanic and Black students in Texas 2-year colleges from the 2009 through the 2014academic years. The number of career colleges in Texas increased from 52 in the 2009 academic year to a total of 80 career colleges in the 2014 academic year. Along with increases in the number of career colleges, the total numbers of Hispanic and Black students who attained a certificate or adegree during this time period also increased. The average number of Hispanic and Black students who obtained a degree or certificate from Texas 2- year career colleges rose steadily until reaching a high of 155.32 degrees and/orcertificates attained for Hispanic students in the 2011 academic year and a high of 64.19 degrees and/or certificatesattained for Black students in the 2012 academic year. Overtwice as manyHispanic students than Black students obtained a degree or certificate from Texas career colleges in the 6-year period analyzed in this investigation. Over the 6-year period of the 2009 through the 2014 academic years, the average percentage of Hispanic and Black students who obtained a degree or certificate from Texas 2-year career colleges fluctuated. Implications of these results, as well asrecommendations for future research, were discussed.
Influence of the major histocompatibility complex on age at onset of chronic lymphoid leukaemia

The major histocompatibility complex is one of the interactive factors in the multifactorial model of carcinogenesis. Its main influence in experimental models is on the age at onset of malignancies. We have previously shown a similar effect of homozygosity for HLA‐DR53 in CML. In the present study, we investigated 79 patients with CLL and 329 local controls from Germany. In addition to full serotyping, all patients and 116 of controls were also typed by HLA‐DRB PCR analysis. The homozygosity rates for DR53 in patients under and over the median age (60 years) were 18.6% and 2.9%, respectively (p = 0.03). Eight of the 9 homozygous patients were under the median age. The sex ratio in the DR53 homozygous group was reversed in favour of females. The homozygosity rates for DR53 were different in the overall groups of patients and controls, yielding a relative risk (RR) of 2.4 (p = 0.03). This association was stronger in the early‐onset group compared to age‐matched controls (RR = 4.4; p = 0.008) and for females with an early onset compared to age‐ and sex‐matched controls (RR = 17.9; p = 0.0008). The simultaneous occurrence of the alleles of the haplotype A2B62DR4 showed a strong association with CLL (RR = 4.1; p = 0.002). This was probably the reason behind the association with HLA‐DRB1*0401 (RR = 2.4; p = 0.009). Compared to the accelerating effect of HLA‐DR53, HLA‐DR52 showed a significant delaying effect on the onset of CLL. These findings confirmed the influence of the HLA complex on the development of another leukaemia. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insights on Gender Differences in CS1: A Multi-institutional, Multi-variate Study.

This paper describes a multivariate, multi-institutional study conducted in the academic year 2015-16. Six hundred and ninety-three students participated from 11 institutions, (ten institutions in Ireland and one in Denmark). The goal of the study was to compare the profile of male and female students enrolled on introductory programming modules (CS1), to determine if any significant differences could be identified by gender. The gender split was 79:21, male to female respectively. The study took place early in the CS1 module with three instruments used to capture data: a background survey, a survey on programming self-efficacy, comfort and anxiety, and a short programming test. At the end of the module, the overall result for each participant was gathered. Of importance, the study was conducted across multiple levels of Computer Science education, from Level 5 Certificate up to and including Honors Bachelor Degree and Higher Diploma, (which are based on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications NFQ). This paper describes the approach taken and the detailed analysis performed. Several significant differences between male and female students were identified early in CS1, some of which did not hold true at the end of the module. A gender comparison between the two participating countries and the different institution types was also performed and discussed. The findings could be used to positively influence teaching practice and to the development of gender focused retention and recruitment strategies.
High serum IL‐2 levels are predictive of prolonged survival in multiple myeloma

Summary. In this study we analysed serum IL‐2 levels in 61 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Patients serum IL‐2 levels were significantly higher than normal controls. Moreover, higher serum IL‐2 levels were associated with a prolonged actuarial survival. In particular, 87% of the MM patients with IL‐2 ≥ 10 U/ml are still alive at 5 years while only 13% of the remaining patients with IL‐2 < 10 U/ml are alive. The multivariate analysis confirmed these data indicating that high serum IL‐2 levels are the most useful predictor index of longer survival in MM patients. Furthermore, among the 50 patients in whom serum beta‐2‐microglobulin (SB2M) determination was available we observed that all patients with serum IL‐2 levels ≥ 10 U/ml had SB2M < 6 μg/ml, whereas in patients with serum IL‐2 < 10 U/ml SB2M ranged from 1.3 to 15 μg/ml. Using these two parameters we were able to identify three groups of patients with different survival duration. Group A (9 patients) defined by serum IL‐2 ≥ 10 U/ml and SB2M < 6 μg/ml in which all patients are alive; group B (26 patients) characterized by serum IL‐2 < 10 U/ml and SB2M < 6 μg/ml in which 24% of patients are alive and group C (15 patients) characterized by serum IL‐2 levels < 10 U/ml and SB2M ≥ 6 μg/ml in which the actuarial survival curve drops to 0 at 2.5 years. A statistically significant difference was observed between groups A and B (P < 0.05), groups A and C (P < 0.01) and groups B and C (P < 0.01). These data could reflect the existence of an active T cell control on B cell neoplasia and may suggest the opportunity of a more extensive use of recombinant biological modifiers such as IL‐2 in the therapeutic strategy of MM.