Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of creatinine assay calibration on glomerular filtration rate prediction by MDRD equation

Introducao : A avaliacao da funcao renal deve ser realizada atraves da estimativa da taxa de filtracao glomerular (TFG) com a equacao do estudo Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), a qual inclui a idade, genero, etnia e creatinina. No entanto, a medida da creatinina requer rastreabilidade com metodo padrao (equiparacao) para sua calibracao. Objetivo : Verificar o impacto da calibracao da creatinina na TFG calculada pela formula do MDRD. Metodos : Foram analisadas 140 amostras de soro com creatinina < 2,0 mg/dl pela reacao de Jaffe com Creatinina Modular P (Roche ®; metodo A; calibrado) e pela Creatinina Advia 1650 (Bayer ®; metodo B; nao calibrado). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados entre si e alinhados por formula de conversao. A TFG foi estimada atraves da formula do MDRD. Resultados: O metodo B teve resultados mais altos que o metodo A (1,03 ± 0,29 vs. 0,86 ± 0,32 mg/dl, P<0,001). Esta diferenca diminuiu quando os resultados do metodo B foram alinhados ao metodo A atraves da equacao y=1,07x -0,249, sendo os valores do metodo alinhado por regressao de 0,9 ± 0,31 mg/dl. O metodo nao calibrado identificou 10% mais de casos de doenca renal renal cronica (falso positivos). Essa discordância desaparece apos o alinhamento. Conclusao: A calibracao dos metodos de creatinina tem um impacto importante nos resultados finais de creatinina e TFG. O alinhamento de resultados nao padronizados atraves de formulas de conversao pode ser uma alternativa para harmonizar os resultados de creatinina serica enquanto programas internacionais de padronizacao nao estiverem ainda totalmente implantados.
A nonsense mutation of the MASS1 gene in a family with febrile and afebrile seizures

A naturally occurring mutation of the mass1 (monogenic audiogenic seizure‐susceptible) gene recently has been reported in the Frings mouse strain, which is prone to audiogenic seizures. The human orthologous gene, MASS1, was mapped to chromosome 5q14, for which we previously have reported significant evidence of linkage to febrile seizures (FEB4). We screened for MASS1 mutations in individuals from 48 families with familial febrile seizures and found 25 DNA alterations. None of nine missense polymorphic alleles was significantly associated with febrile seizures; however, a nonsense mutation (S2652X) causing a deletion of the C‐terminal 126 amino acid residues was identified in one family with febrile and afebrile seizures. Our results suggest that a loss‐of‐function mutation in MASS1 might be responsible for the seizure phenotypes, though it is not likely that MASS1 contributed to the cause of febrile seizures in most of our families.
Low PAPR full-diversity space-frequency codes for MIMO-OFDM systems

Use of preceding transforms such as Hadamard transforms and phase alteration for peak to average power ratio (PAPR) reduction in OFDM systems are well known. In this paper we propose use of inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) and Hadamard transform as preceding transforms in MIMO-OFDM systems to achieve low peak to average power ratio (PAPR). We show that while our approach using IDFT does not disturb the diversity gains of the MIMO-OFDM systems (spatial, temporal and frequency diversity gains), it offers a better trade-off between PAPR reduction and ML decoding complexity compared to that of the Hadamard transform precoding. We study in detail the amount of PAPR reduction achieved for the following two recently proposed full-diversity space-frequency coded MIMO-OFDM systems using both the IDFT and the Hadamard transform: (i) W. Su, Z. Safar, M. Olfat, K. J. R. Liu (IEEE Trans. on Signal Processing, Nov. 2003), and (ii) W. Su, Z. Safar, K. J. R. Liu (IEEE Trans. on Information Theory, Jan. 2005).
Verification of programs in virtual memory using separation logic

Formal reasoning about programs executing in virtual memory is a difficult problem, as it is an environment in which writing to memory can change its layout. At the same time, correctly reasoning about virtual memory is essential to operating system verification, a field we are very much interested in. Current approaches rely on entering special modes or making high-level assertions about the nature of virtual memory which may or may not be correct. In this thesis, we examine the problems created by virtual memory and develop a unified view of memory, both physical and virtual, based on separation logic. We first develop this model for a simple programming language on a simplified architecture with a one-level page table, taking care to prove it constitutes a separation logic. We then extend the framework to deal with low-level C programs executing in a virtual memory environment of the ARMv6 architecture with a two-level page table. We perform two case studies involving mapping in of a new page into the current address space: first for the simple version of our logic, and finally for our full framework. The case studies demonstrate that separation logic style modular reasoning via the frame rule can be used in a unified model which encompasses virtual memory, even in the presence of page table writes. To our knowledge, we present the first model offering a unified view of virtual and physical memory, the first separation logic involving an address translation mechanism, as well as the first published model of a functional subset of ARM memory management unit. Our memory models, framework, proofs and all results are formalised in the Isabelle/HOL interactive theorem prover.
Genetic architecture in a marine hybrid zone: comparing outlier detection and genomic clines analysis in the bivalve Macoma balthica

The role of natural selection in speciation has received increasing attention and support in recent years. Different types of approaches have been developed that can detect genomic regions influenced by selection. Here, we address the question whether two highly different methods—FST outlier analysis and admixture analysis—detect largely the same set of non‐neutral genomic elements or, instead, complementary sets. We study genetic architecture in a natural secondary contact zone where extensive admixture occurs. The marine bivalves Macoma balthica rubra and M. b. balthica descend from two independent trans‐Arctic invasions of the north Atlantic and hybridize extensively where they meet, for example in the Kattegat–Danish Straits–Baltic Sea region. The Kattegat–Danish Straits region forms a steep salinity cline and is the only entrance to the recently (ca. 8000 years ago) established brackish water basin the Baltic Sea. Salinity along the contact zone drops from 30‰ (Skagerrak, M.b.rubra) to 3‰ (Baltic, M.b.balthica). Both outlier analysis and genomic clines analysis suggest that large parts of the genome are influenced by non‐neutral effects. Contrasting samples from well outside the hybrid zone, outlier analysis detects 16 of 84 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers as significant FST outliers. Genomic clines analysis detects 31 of 84 markers as non‐neutral inside the hybrid zone. Remarkably, only three markers are detected by both methods. We conclude that the two methods together identify a suite of markers that are under the influence of non‐neutral effects.
Understanding what motivates older adults to exercise.

The purposes of this study were to explore the factors that influenced adherence to an exercise program for older adults, and compare differences in motivation, efficacy expectations, health status, age, functional performance, and falls between adherers and nonadherers. A combined qualitative and quantitative design was used. Participants included 23 of the 24 members of an existing walking group, with an average age of 81 +/- 7.2 years. Fourteen (60%) participants did not adhere to walking, while 9 (40%) adhered. Those that adhered had fewer functional limitations due to their health, (F = 7.7, p < .05), better functional performance (F = 4.0, p < .05), stronger self-efficacy expectations related to exercise (F = 4.3, p < .05), and fewer falls (F = 4.4, p < .05). Six major themes were identified that impacted adherence: a) beliefs about exercise; b) benefits of exercise; c) past experiences with exercise; d) goals; e) personality; and f) unpleasant sensations associated with exercise. Interventions that focus on teaching older adults about the benefits of exercise, establishing appropriate goals, and decreasing unpleasant and increasing pleasant sensations associated with exercise may be useful to improve adherence to a regular exercise program.
The insulin resistance syndrome and coronary artery disease

&NA; Insulin resistance is an increasingly common metabolic abnormality characterized by an impaired physiological response to insulin. The constellation of insulin resistance and several other metabolic and vascular disorders is known as the insulin resistance syndrome. The characteristic features of the insulin resistance syndrome include central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and specific abnormalities of both endothelial cell and vascular function. Although insulin resistance can arise in response to aging, obesity and inactivity, there is a clear genetic component. Insulin resistance is not generally attributable to a single genetic defect. Indeed, it is very likely to be a polygenic disorder in most individuals. A genetic predisposition is suggested to be the demonstration of increased insulin resistance in first‐degree relatives of patients with diabetes and by a high incidence of insulin resistance in specific populations. Epidemiological data have demonstrated a strong association between a clustering of specific factors and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The diagnosis of the insulin resistance syndrome remains a significant clinical challenge. At present, clinicians are faced with establishing a clinical diagnosis despite varying definitions of the disorder and controversy regarding how many components presage clinical events. A proposed approach to the management of patients with the insulin resistance syndrome is discussed. Coron Artery
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of a fluorescent transferrin internalized in the late transferrin endocytic compartment of living A431 cells: theory.

In previous works, other authors characterized a compartment (LCT) of A431 carcinoma cells in which markers of transferrin endocytose had accumulated during a long chase period. This compartment, was essentially formed by large stationary vacuoles. A few small vesicles budded from these vacuoles, rapidly saltated along microtubules and eventually fused with other vacuoles, causing an intracellular transport of the marker bound to the limiting membrane (M. De Brabander, R. Nuygens, H. Geerts, C.R. Hopkins, Cell. Mot. Cytoskel. 9 (1988) 30). In the present paper, we derived the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of a fluorescent marker of LCT. We assumed that the rate of the intracellular transport of the marker was controlled by the fission-fusion process between vesicles and vacuoles. We showed that the concentration of a bleached fluorescent marker was a decreasing exponential function of the time elapsed from the beginning of the recovery phase. The rate constant of this exponential was equal to the product of the vesicle surface by the number of vesicles which fused with a unit of vacuole surface during one second. If a fraction of the marker spontaneously reactivated itself with a much higher rate constant of reaction than the rate constant of the transport process, the fractional FRAP of the marker was the sum of the fractional FRAP of both processes occurring separately. In a companion paper (F. Azizi, P. Wahl, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1327 (1997) 75-88), our FRAP experiments will be described and analysed with the mathematical expressions derived in the present paper.
Provably Accurate Double-Sparse Coding

Sparse coding is a crucial subroutine in algorithms for various signal processing, deep learning, and other machine learning applications. The central goal is to learn an overcomplete dictionary that can sparsely represent a given input dataset. However, a key challenge is that storage, transmission, and processing of the learned dictionary can be untenably high if the data dimension is high. In this paper, we consider the double-sparsity model introduced by Rubinstein et al. (2010b) where the dictionary itself is the product of a fixed, known basis and a data-adaptive sparse component. First, we introduce a simple algorithm for double-sparse coding that can be amenable to efficient implementation via neural architectures. Second, we theoretically analyze its performance and demonstrate asymptotic sample complexity and running time benefits over existing (provable) approaches for sparse coding. To our knowledge, our work introduces the first computationally efficient algorithm for double-sparse coding that enjoys rigorous statistical guarantees. Finally, we support our analysis via several numerical experiments on simulated data, confirming that our method can indeed be useful in problem sizes encountered in practical applications.
Conservation of transfer ribonucleic acid and 5S ribonucleic acid cistrons in Enterobacteriaceae

The genes for tranfer ribonucleic acid (tDNA) and 5S ribonucleic acid (5SDNA) were isolated from the total deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Escherichia coli. The relatedness of tDNA and 5S from E. coli and other species of Enterobacteriaceae was determined by reassociation of the isolated genes labeled with 32PO4 to unlabeled, unfractionated DNA. Double-stranded DNA was separated from unreacted DNA by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Thermal elution profiles were done to determine the amount of unpaired bases present in related DNA sequences. Relative to total DNA, both 5S DNA and tDNA were highly conserved throughout the Enterobacteriaceae, including the genera Yersinia and Proteus.
Problema Creep-Térmico na dinâmica de gases rarefeitos baseado no modelo BGK

Neste trabalho, apresenta-se resultados numericos para perfil de velocidade, perfil de fluxo de calor, taxa de fluxo de particulas e taxa de fluxo de calor, relativas ao movimento de um gas rarefeito atraves de um canal plano sujeito a um gradiente de temperatura. Considera-se, aqui, o canal definido por duas placas paralelas com diferentes constituicoes quimicas, isto e, com coeficientes de acomodacao diferentes. Para solucionar este problema, denominado de Creep-Termico, inicialmente a equacao de Boltzmann e aproximada pelas equacoes cineticas que, neste caso, e baseada no modelo BGK. O processo de interacao entre o gas e a superficie e descrito pelo modelo de Maxwell e pela condicao generalizada de Cercignani-Lampis. A solucao do problema e encontrada atraves de uma versao analitica do metodo de ordenadas discretas (ADO).
An investigation of the family background of acute haemophilus infections of children

SUMMARY Nose and throat swabs, for culture of Haemophilus influenzae type b, and blood samples, for measurement of antibodies specific for that serotype, were collected from members of 28 families from which children had been admitted to hospital with acute H. influenzae type b infections (mainly meningitis or epiglottitis). The patients with meningitis were younger than those with epiglottitis and had more siblings, with a marked predominance of sisters. Investigations within a few days of admission of the affected children to hospital detected carriers of H. influenzae type b (19 altogether) in 13 of the 28 families, including 9 of the 13 families with 3 or more children. Members with raised antibody titres for H. influenzae type b (suggesting the presence of the organism for at least a few weeks) were found in 17 of the 25 families from which blood samples were obtained, including all 11 families with 3 or more children. Most of the patients probably acquired their infections from within their own families, and siblings under 11 years old were of predominant importance both as carriers and as potential sources of the patients' infections. Persistence of the organism within families for up to 6 months was demonstrated. Possible reasons for the difference in age-incidence between haemophilus meningitis and epiglottitis and for the occurrence of the former in babies with older sisters are suggested, and also a possible connexion between the results of this survey and the likely value of immunization against H. influenzae type b.
Lowering blood alcohol content levels to save lives the european experience

Road safety has become an increasing concern in developed countries due to the significant amount of mortal victims and the economic losses derived. Only in 2005 these losses rose to 200.000 million euros, a significant amount - approximately the 2% of its GDPthat easily justifies any public intervention. One tool used by governments to face this challenge is the enactment of stricter policies and regulations. Since drunk driving is one of the most important concerns of public authorities on this field, several European countries decided to lower their illegal Blood Alcohol Content levels to 0.5 mg/ml during the last decade. This study evaluates for the first time the effectiveness of this transition using European panel-based data (CARE) for the period 1991-2003 using the Differences-in-Differences method in a fixed effects estimation that allows for any pattern of correlation (Cluster-Robust). My results show the existence of positive impacts on certain groups of road users and for the whole population when the policy is accompanied by some enforcement interventions. Moreover, a time lag of more than two years is found in that effectiveness. Finally, I also assert the importance of controlling for serial correlation in the evaluation of this kind of policies.
Regional Model Calibration for Improving Seismic Location

Accurate seismic event location is integral to the effective monitoring of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), as well as being a fundamental component of earthquake source characterization. To account for the effects of crustal and mantle structure on seismic travel times, and to improve seismic event location in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), we are developing a set of radially heterogeneous and azimuthally invariant travel-time models of the crust and upper mantle for each MENA seismic station. We begin by developing an average one-dimensional velocity model that minimizes the P-phase travel-time residuals from regional through teleseismic distance at each station. To do this we (1) generate a suite of 1-D velocity models of the earth, (2) compute travel times through the 1-D models using a tau-p formulation to produce standard travel-time tables, and (3) minimize the root-mean-square (rms) residuals between the P-phase arrivals predicted by each model and a groomed set of ISC P-phase arrival times (Engdahl et al., 1991). Once we have an average one-dimensional velocity model that minimizes the P-phase travel-time residuals for all distances, we repeat steps 1 through 3, systematically perturbing the travel-time model and using a grid search procedure to optimize models withinmore » regional, upper mantle, and teleseismic distance ranges. Regionalized models are combined into one two-dimensional model, using indicator functions and smoother methodologies to reduce distance and depth discontinuity artifacts between the individual models. Preliminary results of this study at a subset of MENA stations show that we are improving predictability with these models. Cross-validating the travel-time predictions with an independent data set demonstrates a marked reduction in the variance of the travel-time model error distributions. We demonstrate the improvement provided by these 2-D models by relocating the 1991 Racha aftershock sequence. We will extend our investigation to additional MENA stations, and will use our model in tandem with nonstationary empirical corrections (nonstationary Bayesian kriging) to further improve our ability to accurately predict travel times and locate seismic events in this region. « less
Creación de un espacio de formación virtual. Reflexiones desde la práctica

El presente estudio pretende abordar la formacion basada en la Web o Formacion Virtual desde una perspectiva mas general a la que se limita a encarar acciones o cursos aislados. La orientacion de este ambito ha derivado rapidamente en una concepcion mas general, denominandose sucesiva y, a veces, indistintamente, Aula Virtual, Centro Virtual o Campus Virtual. Nosotros hemos preferido la acepcion mas generica de Espacio Virtual de Formacion para tratar de ahondar en algunas de las caracteristicas y problematicas que se suscitan en este ambito que concita gran cantidad de recursos y esfuerzos. El crecimiento y evolucion vertiginosos que se producen impiden a menudo una reflexion al respecto que, entendemos, resulta imprescindible. No obstante, estas breves acotaciones las hemos querido orientar tanto desde la revision como, muy especialmente, desde la propia practica en la construccion y desarrollo de un espacio de tales caracteristicas.
Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pertussis Infection: Comparison of Both Culture and Fluorescent-Antibody Assays with PCR Detection Using Electrophoresis or Dot Blot Hybridization

ABSTRACT Diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infection has been difficult due to the low sensitivity of culture. PCR tests have been shown to be more sensitive than culture, but the reported sensitivity of PCR is variable. We evaluated PCR product detection by using either agarose gel electrophoresis (PCR-gel) or dot blot hybridization with 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probes, and we compared these methods to both culture and direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) assays with microscopy for the detection of pertussis. This was done with 225 nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected in community clinic settings. The multiplexed PCR amplified the multiply repeated IS481 B. pertussis sequence and a sequence from the human globin gene as a positive control for specimen adequacy. Of 225 specimens, 179 were judged to be adequate for PCR analysis. Among the adequate specimens, 9, 4, and 10 were culture, DFA, and PCR-gel positive, respectively. The sensitivity of PCR-gel versus culture was 89% while the sensitivity of culture versus PCR-gel was 80%. DFA had the lowest sensitivity. Thirty specimens were positive by PCR with dot blot hybridization; no negative control specimens showed a signal above the background. Among the 79 (44%) adequate specimens with clinical data available, the rates of reported cough or persistent cough were similar for persons who were pertussis positive by each assay. The IS481 PCR, with either electrophoresis or dot blot hybridization, is a sensitive assay; however, at this time it cannot completely replace culture without an overall loss in sensitivity for the detection of pertussis. Further study is required to understand the clinical significance of B. pertussis PCR products detected by dot blot hybridization alone.
High-Resolution Regional Climate Simulations over Iceland Using Polar MM5*

Abstract High-resolution regional climate simulations of Iceland for 1991–2000 have been performed using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesocale Model (MM5) modified for use in polar regions (Polar MM5) with three nested domains and short-duration integrations. The simulated results are compared with monthly mean surface observations from Iceland for 1991–2000 to demonstrate the high level of model performance; correlation coefficients exceed 0.9 for most variables considered. The simulation results are used to analyze the near-surface climate over Iceland. The simulated near-surface winds in winter are primarily katabatic. The land–sea-breeze circulation is clearly evident in summer. The land is colder than the ocean during winter, with a strong (weak) temperature gradient along the southern (northern) coast. This temperature pattern over the sloping terrain forces the katabatic wind. The diurnal cycle of near-surface air temperature.