Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vascular Wall Remodeling in Patients with Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis and Williams Beuren Syndrome

Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and Williams Beuren syndrome (WBS) can be considered as inherited diseases affecting the whole arterial tree and causing narrowing of the vessels. It has been reported that abnormal deposition of elastin in arterial walls of patients with SVAS and WBS leads to increased proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), which result in the formation of hyperplastic intimal lesions. In this work, we conducted morphological and morphometrical analysis with stenotic aortas from patients suffering from SVAS and WBS and from healthy control subjects and demonstrated that the amount of elastic fibers and the loss of integrity of vascular elastic fibers in the aortas reflect similar changes in the skin of patients with SVAS or WBS, as reported in our previous work conducted on skin in these pathological states. On the other hand, we conducted investigations on metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9, MMP7) and their specific tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2 to verify their possible involvement in the etiopathogeny of SVAS and WBS. We particularly evidenced an altered MMP9/TIMP1 balance in favor of matrix degradation which could facilitate SMC migration and neointimal hyperplasia. Our findings suggest that elastinolytic enzymes secreted by arterial SMC, possibly including matrilysin 1, are critical for the development of arterial lesions in SVAS and WBS and contribute to perpetuate arterial stenosis in either SVAS or WBS.
Single Channel Audio Source Separation using Deep Neural Network Ensembles

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are often used to tackle the single channel source separation (SCSS) problem by predicting time-frequency masks. The predicted masks are then used to separate the sources from the mixed signal. Different types of masks produce separated sources with different levels of distortion and interference. Some types of masks produce separated sources with low distortion, while other masks produce low interference between the separated sources. In this paper, a combination of different DNNs’ predictions (masks) is used for SCSS to achieve better quality of the separated sources than using each DNN individually. We train four different DNNs by minimizing four different cost functions to predict four different masks. The first and second DNNs are trained to approximate reference binary and soft masks. The third DNN is trained to predict a mask from the reference sources directly. The last DNN is trained similarly to the third DNN but with an additional discriminative constraint to maximize the differences between the estimated sources. Our experimental results show that combining the predictions of different DNNs achieves separated sources with better quality than using each DNN individually
Refresh optimised embedded-dram caches based on zero data detection

Muti-level cache hierarchy with large sized last level caches (LLCs) have emerged to minimise the performance gap between the processing cores and the main memory. Traditionally, LLCs are made using SRAM technology, however, recent trends have shown that dense and low leakage consuming embedded-DRAMs (eDRAM) are a good alternative to SRAM. The only challenge for this replacement is the time and energy consumed by the periodic refresh demanded by eDRAMs. Towards minimising the number of refreshes and in turn to save energy, in this paper we propose a value based refresh saving method. In particular, certain blocks of data may have zero content and such blocks do not need refreshing. Our proposal identifies such blocks and segregates them in a partition of eDRAM that will not get refreshed. Blocks are allocated to this partition at the time of loading from the main memory. For blocks that are written back from higher level caches, we need to check their new content and relocate them to the appropriate partition. Experimental evaluation shows the existence of 41% null data blocks on average. Full system simulations based analysis shows 29% reduction in the number of refreshes compared to the baseline policy, given 12% improvement in total energy.
Expression of the helix‐loop‐helix gene Id3 during murine embryonic development

The family of dominant‐negative helix‐loop‐helix (dnHLH) transcriptional modulators consists of four mammalian genes known to date: Id1, Id2, Id3 (Id3 was formerly designated HLH462 or HEIR1 or HLH1R21), and Id4. We have performed a detailed study of Id3 expression in mouse embryos in order to gain insight into the possible developmental control functions of this gene and to compare its expression to that of other mammalian dnHLH genes. Employing RNA in situ hybridization on sectioned mouse embryos of gestational stages E9.5–17.5 and neonatal head, we generally detected a high abundance of transcripts at early stages that gradually declined at most sites toward E15.5. Expression of Id3 in embryos was detected in brain, spinal cord, olfactory system, branchial arches, limbs, sclerotome, endocardiac cushions, the outer lining of the gut, lung, retina, the collecting system of the kidney, and in tooth anlagen. Although the abundance of mRNA decreased toward later stages in most tissues, it remained high in teeth and kidney. This expression pattern suggests that Id3 functions both in undifferentiated tissues and in organs which are in the process of differentiation. When compared to the expression of other dnHLH genes, it becomes obvious that the pattern of Id3 mainly coincides with that of Id1. This may reflect a partial redundancy in gene function. Furthermore, previous experiments suggested a mutually exclusive expression of the proto‐oncogene N‐myc an Id3. The results of the present study confirm these data. ©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The R2C2 Model in Residency Education: How Does It Foster Coaching and Promote Feedback Use?

Purpose The authors previously developed and tested a reflective model for facilitating performance feedback for practice improvement, the R2C2 model. It consists of four phases: relationship building, exploring reactions, exploring content, and coaching. This research studied the use and effectiveness of the model across different residency programs and the factors that influenced its effectiveness and use. Method From July 2014–October 2016, case study methodology was used to study R2C2 model use and the influence of context on use within and across five cases. Five residency programs (family medicine, psychiatry, internal medicine, surgery, and anesthesia) from three countries (Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands) were recruited. Data collection included audiotaped site assessment interviews, feedback sessions, and debriefing interviews with residents and supervisors, and completed learning change plans (LCPs). Content, thematic, template, and cross-case analysis were conducted. Results An average of nine resident–supervisor dyads per site were recruited. The R2C2 feedback model, used with an LCP, was reported to be effective in engaging residents in a reflective, goal-oriented discussion about performance data, supporting coaching, and enabling collaborative development of a change plan. Use varied across cases, influenced by six general factors: supervisor characteristics, resident characteristics, qualities of the resident–supervisor relationship, assessment approaches, program culture and context, and supports provided by the authors. Conclusions The R2C2 model was reported to be effective in fostering a productive, reflective feedback conversation focused on resident development and in facilitating collaborative development of a change plan. Factors contributing to successful use were identified.
Identification of credulous users on Twitter

Social networks can quickly propagate information to large audiences and can be used to spread fake news or to provide false figures of popularity. Social bots, i.e., software robots that automatically interact with human users and produce content under a fictive identity, are used for such harmful activities. In this paper, we study the relationship between bots and genuine human users with the aim of identifying those "credulous" users who are particularly exposed, and unintentionally contribute, to the activities planned by a network of bots. Spotting credulous users is useful to service providers to display warnings on their dashboards, scan their activities for early signs of attacks, or take more active measures to prevent or limit the negative effects of their activities. Here we aim at identifying credulous users on Twitter starting from those involved in any social relation with a bot. To that end, we rely on an existing bot detector along with its dataset of genuine users and bots that we extend with additional information about the friends of each genuine user. To single out credulous users out of genuine ones, we study the effectiveness of different metrics or combinations thereof. We see this as a first step towards singling out features that can be used to detect credulous users without resorting to the expensive analysis of the nature of their friends.
Matching implementations to specifications: the corner cases of ioco

A well-known conformance relation for model-based testing is ioco. A conformance relation expresses when an implementation is correct with respect to a specification. Unlike many other conformance and refinement relations, ioco has different domains for implementations and for specifications. Consequently, ioco is neither reflexive nor transitive, implying that a specification does not implement itself, and that specifications cannot be compared for refinement. In this paper, we investigate how we can compensate for the lack of reflexivity and transitivity. We show that (i) given a specification, we can construct in a standard way a canonical conforming implementation that is very 'close' to the specification; and (ii) a refinement preorder on specification models can be defined such that a refined model allows less ioco-conforming implementations. We give declarative and constructive definitions of both, we give examples of unimplementable corner-cases, we investigate decidability, and we do that for ioco as well as for the ioco-variant uioco. The latter turns out to be simpler and on more aspects decidable.
Crossing the barrier: oxysterols as cholesterol transporters and metabolic modulators in the brain

A normal brain function requires constant levels of cholesterol, and the need for constancy seems to be higher here than in any other organ. Nature has met this need by isolation of brain cholesterol by a highly efficient blood–brain barrier. As a low synthesis of cholesterol is present in the brain, a mechanism for compensatory elimination is required. A decade ago we made the unexpected finding that the favoured mechanism for this involves conversion into 24S‐hydroxycholesterol, followed by diffusion over the blood–brain barrier. Recent studies by us and others on this new pathway have given new insights into the mechanisms by which cholesterol homeostasis is maintained in the brain. We recently demonstrated a flux of another oxygenated product of cholesterol, 27‐hydroxycholesterol, in the opposite direction. The latter flux may be important for neurodegeneration, and may be the link between hypercholesterolaemia and Alzheimer's disease. An overview of the above studies is presented and the possibility that the cholesterol 24S‐hydroxylase in the brain may be important for memory and learning and that it may be a new drug target is discussed.
Powder flow studies. 3. Factors affecting the flow of lactose granules.

In an attempt to provide a better understanding of the variables affecting the flow of tablet granulations, the effects of different granulating agents and techniques, particle size distribution, fines, and glidants on the flow of lactose granules were studied. Flow rates were measured with a recording powder flowometer. In binary mixtures the addition of increasing proportion of finer particles to 10/20 mesh granules increased the flow rate to a maximum followed by a decrease. Flow rates of granulations were found to vary considerably, depending upon the particular granulating agent used. For granulations and blended systems of various particle size distributions, a strong negative correlation existed between flow rate of granules and proportion of particles less than 100 mesh in size. The particle size of the granules influenced considerably the effect of glidants.
Brand community analysis on social networks using graph representation learning

In a world more and more connected, new and complex interaction patterns can be extracted in the communication between people. This is extremely valuable for brands that can better understand the interests of users and the trends on social media to better target their products. In this paper, we aim to analyze the communities that arise around commercial brands on social networks to understand the meaning of similarity, collaboration, and interaction among users. We exploit the network that builds around the brands by encoding it into a graph model. We build a social network graph, considering user nodes and friendship relations; then we compare it with a heterogeneous graph model, where also posts and hash-tags are considered as nodes and connected to the different node types; we finally build also a reduced network, generated by inducing direct user-to-user connections through the intermediate nodes (posts and hashtags). These different variants are encoded using graph representation learning, which generates a numerical vector for each node. Machine learning techniques are applied to these vectors to extract valuable insights for each user and for the communities they belong to. In the paper, we report on our experiments performed on an emerging fashion brand on Instagram, and we show that our approach is able to discriminate potential customers for the brand, and to highlight meaningful sub-communities composed by users that share the same kind of content on social networks.
Internal WWAN Clamshell Mobile Phone Antenna Using a Current Trap for Reduced Ground Plane Effects

An internal wireless wide-area network (WWAN) antenna suitable for GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS operation in the clamshell mobile phone with reduced ground plane effects is presented. Small variations in the performances of the antenna for the clamshell mobile phone in the open state (talk condition) and closed state (idle condition) are obtained. This is owing to the reduced effects of the upper (cover) ground plane on the performances of the internal antenna obtained by embedding a slit at the edge of the upper ground plane close to the connecting strip between the two (upper and main) ground planes of the clamshell mobile phone. In this case, large surface currents excited around the slit are achieved, with other portions of the upper ground plane showing much weaker surface current distributions, which makes the embedded slit behaves like a current trap for the excited surface currents. This condition results in reduced effects of the upper ground plane. This also makes the near-field radiation of the clamshell mobile phone with the proposed antenna easily meet the specific absorption rate (SAR) and hearing aid compatibility (HAC) specifications required for practical applications.
Properties of a sarcoma‐growth‐factor‐like peptide from cells transformed by a temperature‐sensitive sarcoma virus

Serum‐free conditioned media was collected from three sarcoma virus‐transformed cell lines and an untransformed cell line. All three virally transformed lines produced and released growth factors into their serum‐free media. The major activity in all cases, whether the cells were transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) or Kirsten sarcoma virus (KiSV), or whether they were mouse or rat, was a sarcoma‐growth‐factor (SGF)‐like activity with an apparent molecular weight of 10,000. The SGF‐like pools from a Moloney sarcoma virus‐transformed mouse 3T3 cell and a Kirsten sarcoma virus‐transformed NRK cell were further purified by carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography. The elution profiles of these peptides were very similar. The serum‐free conditioned media from the untransformed cells showed no detectable growth stimulating activity. The temperature sensitivity of an SGF‐like growth factor from the supernate of a NRK cell transformed by a wild‐type Kirsten sarcoma virus (KiSV) was compared with that of the SGF‐like activity from the supernates of a NRK cell transformed by a ts‐mutant of KiSV that is temperature sensitive with respect to transformation (ts‐371 Cl 5). Neither the cells transformed by the wild‐type sarcoma virus nor those transformed by the temperature sensitive virus released a SGF‐like activity that was temperature sensitive under the conditions of the assays.
Coagulopathy After Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Jehovah’s Witness Patients: Management of Two Cases Using Fractionated Components and Factor VIIa

BACKGROUND:Changes in the Jehovah's Witness (JW) blood refusal policy now give members the personal choice to accept certain processed fractions of blood, such as factor concentrates and cryoprecipitate. METHODS:Two JW patients undergoing complex aortic surgery who developed severe microvascular bleeding after prolonged use of cardiopulmonary bypass were treated with recombinant activated factor VII, cryoprecipitate, and antithrombin concentrate. RESULTS:Cardiopulmonary bypass-induced coagulopathy was successfully treated, allowing chest closure without evidence of thrombotic complications. CONCLUSIONS:Processed blood fractions can be a valuable adjuvant to drugs when treating bleeding in JW patients.
A graph based approach for functional urban areas delineation

In an increasingly urbanized world, where cities are changing continuously, it is essential for policy makers to have access to regularly updated decision-making tools for an effective management of urban areas. An example of these tools is the delineation of cities into functional areas which provides knowledge on high spatial interaction zones and their socioeconomic composition. In this paper, we presented a method for the structural analysis of a city, specifically for the determination of its functional areas, based on communities detection in graph. The nodes of the graph correspond to geographical units resulting from a cartographic division of the city according to the road network. The edges are weighted using a Gaussian distance-decay function and the amount of spatial interactions between nodes. Our approach optimize the modularity to ensure that the functional areas detected have strong interactions within their borders but lower interactions outside. Moreover, it leverages on POIs' entropy to maintain a good socioeconomic heterogeneity in the detected areas. We conducted experiments using taxi trips and POIs datasets from the city of Porto, as a study case. Trough those experiments, we demonstrate the ability of our method to portray functional areas while including spatial and socioeconomic dynamics.
Caffeine withdrawal syndrome in social interaction test in mice: Effects of the NMDA receptor channel blockers, memantine and neramexane

Antagonists acting at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been demonstrated repeatedly to attenuate the expression of drug and alcohol withdrawal syndromes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of NMDA receptor blockade on the expression of behavioural signs of caffeine withdrawal syndrome, assessed using the social interaction paradigm. Adult male Swiss mice were treated with increasing doses of caffeine (40–100 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) for 8 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection of caffeine, there were significant increases in duration and frequency of defensive behaviours, as well as decreased locomotor activity. These changes faded within 72 hours. Pretreatment with a single dose of caffeine (1 mg/kg; 24 h after the end of repeated caffeine administration and 30 min prior to the test) completely reversed these withdrawal-related changes. Separate groups of mice were treated i.p. with different doses of memantine (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) or neramexane (MRZ 2/579; 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) 24 h after the last caffeine injection. Both compounds dose-dependently reduced the expression of defensive behaviours while increasing motor activity. These data suggest that NMDA receptor blockade may counteract the acute behavioural effects of caffeine withdrawal.
Senescence of the cardiovascular system due to aging and the resulting increase in cardiovascular risk

Introduction: The progressive senescence of earth’s population constitutes one of the main determinants of demographic phenomena in modern times. Taking into account the correlation between age and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), it is a fact that the constantly raising number of elderly people with such problems will be of great interest to public health, in future. The aim was to be comprehended how importance is to bear in mind by the clinician, the special problems of the older age during therapeutic interventions in these age groups. Method and material: The method οf this study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literature about aging and CVD . Results: The increasing incidence of the CVD and the growing cardiovascular risk in the elderly basically relies on the “normal” senescence of the cardiovascular system ,the degeneration of the remaining systems of the organism ,the aggregation and the cumulative influence of the standard cardiovascular risk factors and at last at the presence of severe diseases caused by the other systems or geriatric syndromes. Degeneration of the cardiovascular system and remaining systems of the organism like lungs, kidneys, e.t. c. , and diseases affecting other systems are the most common factors to CVD. The gradual, however, normal degeneration of the cardiovascular system in combination with the senescence of the other systems of the organism, which lead to parallel diseases, cause cardiovascular events, worsening the prognosis even further. Conclusion: The clinician should be aware of all the procedures, which reduce the homeostatic supplies of the elderly, making vulnerable to life threatening diseases. The understanding of the psychological and the social status of the elder patient with cardiovascular problems and the synthesis of all the available data may lead to a global approach and to a proper treatment.
Asbestos lung fibre analysis in the United Kingdom, 1976-96.

OBJECTIVES To summarize data on changes in lung contents of asbestos types between 1976-77 and 1990-96 for mesotheliomas and controls in the UK. METHODS Data were extracted from published studies of the years 1976, 1977 and 1990-96. RESULTS Between 1976-77 and 1990-96 there was a large reduction in the amount of crocidolite in the lungs of both mesotheliomas and controls. CONCLUSION The results are consistent with the use of the different asbestos types in the UK, after taking into account the period of exposure and elimination of fibres from the lung in the time elapsed since exposure.