Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Bacon, Teleology, and Analogy to the Doctrine of Methodological Naturalism

Francis Bacon divided natural science into physics and metaphysics. He claimed that of Aristotle’s four causes, only material and efficient causes belong to the realm of physics, and that final causes, or teleological claims, belong to the realm of metaphysics. Bacon objected to including teleology in physics because in his experience teleological claims tended to discourage the search for efficient causes for natural phenomena. Because Bacon relegated teleology to metaphysics science largely followed his lead, evolving over the next four hundred years a growing distaste for including any teleological implications in scientific explanations. Bacon claimed that human nature, ``will yet invent parallels and conjugates and relatives, where no such thing is. '' Yet, as the material and efficient causal discoveries by science have progressed since Bacon’s time, they have in turn revealed more legitimate parallels and conjugates and relatives than perhaps he could have ever imagined. Stated succinctly, the process of exploring material and efficient causes in nature has also given breathtaking justification for also inferring final causes as well. As such, inferences to teleology in science should be allowed where they are warranted by the empirical evidence. The tool for determining whether a teleological inference is warranted is analogy. Bacon could have helped science avoid its gradual but inexorable drift into methodological naturalism if he had emphasized how analogy, used as an analytical tool in the process of induction, legitimately leads to reasonable inferences of teleology in nature.
Who expects to continue working after age 62? The retirement plans of couples.

OBJECTIVES This study examines the individual, spousal, and household characteristics associated with the retirement expectations of husbands and wives. METHODS Using data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study, subjective probabilities of working full-time after reaching age 62 and age 65 are used to measure retirement expectations. The retirement expectations of husbands and wives are modeled simultaneously using a joint-generalized least-squares approach. RESULTS Within a marriage, retirement expectations are shaped by individual, spousal, and household characteristics. We observe some gender differences in cross-spousal influence with wives' retirement expectations being more influenced by husbands' resources and constraints than vice versa. Nonetheless, individual and household factors associated with retirement expectations are widely shared by husbands and wives. DISCUSSION Husbands and wives both respond to individual and joint constraints and opportunities when planning for retirement. Findings support that there is considerable overlap in retirement planning of husbands and wives during early parts of the retirement decision-making process. However, inequity in cross-spousal influences is a defining characteristic of retirement decision making. Implications for both policy makers and practitioners are briefly discussed.
Inelastic incoherent neutron scattering studies of water interacting with biological macromolecules.

The interaction between water and biological macromolecules in living organisms is of fundamental importance in a range of processes. We have studied water-DNA and water-proteolipid membrane systems over a range of hydration states using inelastic incoherent neutron scattering. We find a relatively sharp transition for both systems at a water concentration above which bulk solvent can be detected. Below this concentration, bulk water is essentially absent, i.e., all the water in the system is interacting with the biological macromolecules. This water is strongly perturbed as judged by its energy transfer spectrum, with a broader and lower energy transition than bulk water in the 50-75 meV (approximately 400-600 cm(-1)) range. Taking into account the differing geometry of (cylindrical) DNA and (planar) membranes, the number of water shells perturbed by each system was estimated. A conclusion is that in living organisms a large proportion of the cellular water will be in a state quite distinct from bulk water. The data add to the growing evidence that water structure in the vicinity of biological macromolecules is unusual and that the proximal water behaves differently compared to the bulk solvent.
Pulsewidth modulation based sliding mode control of a three-level bidirectional DC/DC converter in renewable energy application

In this paper a pulsewidth modulation based sliding mode controller (PWM SMC) design for a four switch three level bidirectional converter (3L BDC) is presented. The converter nonlinear control design in this structure is complicated because of the existence of two independent switch sets. To overcome this difficulty, an initiative way in defining the control law which utilizes interleaving control of switch sets is proposed. Using this way, the independent switch sets become somehow dependent. The designed controller is analysed and simulated using Matlab (Simulink Toolbox) software. The simulated results show the effectiveness of the designed controller in steady state and transient state of the converter.
Unequal treatment: confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are known to reflect access to care and other issues that arise from differing socioeconomic conditions. There is, however, increasing evidence that even after such differences are accounted for, race and ethnicity remain significant predictors of the quality of health care received. In Unequal Treatment, a panel of experts documents this evidence and explores how persons of color experience the health care environment. The book examines how disparities in treatment may arise in health care systems and looks at aspects of the clinical encounter that may contribute to such disparities. Patients’ and providers’ attitudes, expectations, and behavior are analyzed. How to intervene? Unequal Treatment offers recommendations for improvements in medical care financing, allocation of care, availability of language translation, community-based care, and other arenas. The committee highlights the potential of cross-cultural education to improve provider–patient communication and offers a detailed look at how to integrate cross-cultural learning within the health professions. The book concludes with recommendations for data collection and research initiatives. Unequal Treatment will be vitally important to health care policymakers, administrators, providers, educators, and students as well as advocates for people of color.
Semi-Supervised Learning in Complex Networks

Semi-Supervised Learning (SSL) is a machine learning scheme which is able to employ both labeled and unlabeled samples in the training process. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised classification model based on a combined random-deterministic walk of particles in the network (graph) constructed from the input data set. The particles of the same class cooperate among them, while the particles of different classes compete with each other to propagate class labels to the whole network. A rigorous definition of the model is provided. An interesting feature of the proposed model is that each particle only visits a portion of nodes potentially belonging to it due to the competition mechanism. Thus, many long range, apparently meaningless visits are avoided. As a result, the proposed model can achieve a good classification rate while exhibiting low computational complexity order in comparison to other network-based semi-supervised algorithms. Computer simulations carried out for synthetic and real-world data sets show good performance of the model.
Plasma [Na+], [Ca2+], and volume shifts and thermoregulation during exercise in man.

Graded-exercise experiments are conducted on six trained male runners (19-23 yr) subjected to ergometer exercise in a program consisting of 30-min resting control period, 60 min of rest or exercise at work loads that resulted in a maximal oxygen uptake equivalent to 6% (resting), 23%, 43%, and 62% of maximal oxygen uptake, followed by 30 min of recovery. The parameters measured and discussed are rectal temperature (T-re), skin temperatures at different spots, maximal oxygen uptake, plasma volume (PV), and various plasma electrolyte and protein concentrations. The objectives are to determine whether the increased T-re during progressively greater work loads are related to plasma sodium ion and calcium ion concentrations, as well as to evaluate the influence of PV shifts on the electrolyte and osmotic concentrations. The results suggest that the shift (loss) in PV accounts for the increases in the plasma constituent concentrations that result in significant correlations with T-re.
Caracterización de procesos de infusión de resina mediante visión artificial

Para conseguir que en los procesos LCM RIFT se pueda garantizar la repetibilidad y reproducibilidad, el primer paso es disponer de las tecnologias adecuadas de medicion. Es imprescindible medir eficiente y optimamente para avanzar cientificamente en el conocimiento de estos procesos. La literatura, en general muestra avances en pleno desarrollo y todavia con muchas preguntas por resolver. Se intenta explicar la fenomenologia fisica del comportamiento de los fluidos o la termodinamica del curado en lapieza, observando mediante sensores con dimensiones de deteccion del orden de millones de veces mas pequenos que el area-volumende la pieza bajo observacion o monitorizacion. Como resultado se alcanzan mediciones restringidas dimensionalmente a un sensor puntual. En esencia, estas tecnicas de monitorizacion restringidas dimensionalmente han condicionado el enfoque de la mayoria de trabajos cientificos. Ademas, focalizan en la medicion de una variable-parametro de proceso, durante alguna etapa de la fabricacion, desconociendo su trayectoria en etapas previas o su interaccion y/o variabilidad respecto de otras zonas de la pieza. En vista de la situacion actual, es imprescindible medir eficiente y optimamente avanzando hacia el determinismo que busca la indus tria.Esta tesis tiene como objetivo: Definir un marco computacional unico para la monitorizacion en base a tecnicas de vision artificial. Valido y aplicable a las distintas etapas de procesos LCM-RIFT, que permita la integracion de mediciones de la variabilidad de parametros del proceso provenientes de diferentes tecnicas de monitorizacion. De esta manera, haciendo uso del marco computacional basado en Vision Artificial. a) Analizar la mecanica de la impregnacion/saturacion y las formas del frente de flujo de resina, mejorando los metodos y las herramientas de monitorizacion y caracterizacion existentes. Asi, proponer nuevas tecnicas de medicion de la zona de saturacion y de la permeabilidad del refuerzo durante el llenado de moldes. b) Proponer mejoras a las tecnicas de monitorizacion de grado de curado disponibles para piezas durante el proceso de polimerizacion. Extensible a piezas de grandes dimensiones
The occurrence and metabolism of alkyl and alk-1-enyl ethers of glycerol in transplantable rat and mouse tumors.

SUMMARY Thirteen transplantable animal tumors have been quantita tively analyzed for their glyceryl alkyl and alk-1-enyl ethers in the neutral lipid and phospholipid fractions. The data ob tained demonstrate that the quantity of glyceryl ethers in the neutral lipid fraction of tumors is significantly higher than that found in normal tissues. The amount of ether-linked phospholipids is also higher in tumors than in most normal tissues. Radioactivity from intraperitoneal injections of palmitic acid-l-14C was incorporated into both the ether-linked aliphatic moiety (13-25% of the total glyceryl ether diester activity) and the esterified fatty acids of glyceryl ether diesters isolated from Ehrlich ascites cells. Labeling of the glyceryl ether diesters also occurred when fatty alcohols-14C and triglycerides-14C were administered to mice bearing the ascites cells; radio activity from acetate-2-14C, glucose-14C, and 3H20 was not incorporated into the glyceryl ether diesters. The specific ac tivity of the triglycA©ride fraction was always higher than that of the glyceryl ether diesters found in Ehrlich ascites cells after injections of palmitic acid-l-14C. In similar experiments, the specific activities of the alk-1-enyl ethers were always higher than the specific activities of the alkyl ethers in the neutral lipid fraction, but these specific activities were essentially the same in the phospholipid fraction.
Extended pelvic lymph node dissection at the time of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Impact of surgical volume on efficacy and complications in a single-surgeon series.

INTRODUCTION We assessed the impact of surgical volume on perioperative outcomes and complications of robotic extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). METHODS From November 2008 to October 2012, a total of 233 consecutive patients with intermediate- or high-risk clinically localized prostate cancer underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and ePLND by a single, experienced open and laparoscopic surgeon. Data were prospectively collected. Complications were classified according to the Modified Clavien System. Complications potentially related to ePLND were documented. The minimum follow-up was 3 months. To evaluate the impact of surgical volume on the results, 4 patient subgroups (subgroup 1: cases 1-59; 2: 60-117; 3: 118-175; 4: 176-233) were compared using the Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS The mean (range) operative time for ePLND was 79 minutes (range: 48-144), with a steady performance over time (p = 0.784). The count of resected lymph nodes plateaued after 60 procedures (mean [range]: 13 [range: 6-32], 15 [range: 7-34], 17 [range: 8-41], 16 [range: 8-42] in Groups 1 to 4, respectively, p = 0.001). Tumour lymph node involvement was 12% in Groups 1 and 2, 7% in Group 3 and 9% in Group 4 (p = 0.075). Overall, 115 complications were reported in 98/233 patients (42%), with a significant decrease after 175 cases (p = 0.028). In Group 4, 3 patients reported an ePLND-related bleeding requiring open revision. Lymphoceles were detected in 10/233 patients (4.2%) and 1 patient (1.7%) in each of the Groups 2 to 4 required a percutaneous drainage. CONCLUSIONS A surgeon with extensive experience is expected to achieve a safe learning curve for ePLND during RARP. A learning curve of 60 cases is suggested for optimal lymph node yield.
Algebraic Wavelet Transform via Quantics Tensor Train Decomposition

In this paper we show that recently introduced quantics tensor train (QTT) decomposition can be considered as an algebraic wavelet transform with adaptively determined filters. The main algorithm for obtaining QTT decomposition can be reformulated as a method seeking “good subspaces” or “good bases” and considered as a parameterized transformation of an initial tensor into a sparse tensor. This interpretation allows us to introduce a modification of the tensor train-SVD (TT-SVD) algorithm to make it work in cases where the original algorithm does not work; it results in the new wavelet-like transforms called wavelet tensor train (WTT) transform. Properties of WTT transforms are studied numerically, and a theoretical conjecture on the number of vanishing moments is proposed. It is shown that WTT transforms are orthogonal by construction, and the efficiency of WTT is compared with and often outperforms Daubechies wavelet transforms on certain classes of function-related vectors and matrices.
Establishment of a Novel In Vivo Sex-Specific Splicing Assay System To Identify a trans-Acting Factor That Negatively Regulates Splicing of Bombyx mori dsx Female Exons

ABSTRACT The Bombyx mori homolog of doublesex, Bmdsx, plays an essential role in silkworm sexual development. Exons 3 and 4 of Bmdsx pre-mRNA are specifically excluded in males. To explore how this occurs, we developed a novel in vivo sex-specific splicing assay system using sexually differentiated cultured cells. A series of mutation analyses using a Bmdsx minigene with this in vivo splicing assay system identified three distinct sequences (CE1, CE2, and CE3) positioned in exon 4 as exonic splicing silencers responsible for male-specific splicing. Gel shift analysis showed that CE1 binds to a nuclear protein from male cells but not that from female cells. Mutation of UAA repeats within CE1 inhibited the binding of the nuclear protein to the RNA and caused female-specific splicing in male cells. We have identified BmPSI, a Bombyx homolog of P-element somatic inhibitor (PSI), as the nuclear factor that specifically binds CE1. Down-regulation of endogenous BmPSI by RNA interference significantly increased female-specific splicing in male cells. This is the first report of a PSI homolog implicated in the regulated sex-specific splicing of dsx pre-mRNA.
Circadian Rhythmicity of Active GSK3 Isoforms Modulates Molecular Clock Gene Rhythms in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) drives and synchronizes daily rhythms at the cellular level via transcriptional-translational feedback loops comprising clock genes such as Bmal1 and Period (Per). Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), a serine/threonine kinase, phosphorylates at least 5 core clock proteins and shows diurnal variation in phosphorylation state (inactivation) of the GSK3β isoform. Whether phosphorylation of the other primary isoform (GSK3α) varies across the subjective day-night cycle is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if the endogenous rhythm of GSK3 (α and β) phosphorylation is critical for rhythmic BMAL1 expression and normal amplitude and periodicity of the molecular clock in the SCN. Significant circadian rhythmicity of phosphorylated GSK3 (α and β) was observed in the SCN from wild-type mice housed in constant darkness for 2 weeks. Importantly, chronic activation of both GSK3 isoforms impaired rhythmicity of the GSK3 target BMAL1. Furthermore, chronic pharmacological inhibition of GSK3 with 20 µM CHIR-99021 enhanced the amplitude and shortened the period of PER2::luciferase rhythms in organotypic SCN slice cultures. These results support the model that GSK3 activity status is regulated by the circadian clock and that GSK3 feeds back to regulate the molecular clock amplitude in the SCN.
Effectiveness and long-term safety of thiazolidinediones and metformin in renal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term safety and effectiveness of thiazolidinediones and metformin in renal transplant recipients with posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) or preexisting diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS Retrospective chart review was performed for renal transplant recipients with PTDM or preexisting DM followed up during the years 2000-2006. Data collected included baseline characteristics; glomerular filtration rate (GFR); creatinine; hemoglobin A1c; and development of congestive heart failure, edema, and liver function abnormalities. GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation calculator. RESULTS Thirty-two patients comprised the metformin group (PTDM = 21, preexisting DM = 11), and 46 patients were included in the TZD group (PTDM = 33, preexisting DM = 13). Only 24 patients taking metformin and 31 patients taking TZDs were included for effectiveness analysis since the others required additional medications to control their DM. Mean follow-up was 16.4 months (range, 1-55 months) for patients treated with metformin and 37.1 months (range, 6-72 months) for patients treated with TZDs. GFR was decreased from baseline in all patients, but the only significant change was in patients with preexisting DM. While there was a significant change in creatinine levels in the metformin group, only 5 patients had to discontinue the drug because of this elevation (3 in preexisting DM group, 2 in PTDM group). Change in hemoglobin A1c from baseline was not significant in either study group. Development of congestive heart failure or liver function abnormalities was not observed. CONCLUSIONS Metformin appears to be safe in the renal transplant population for a mean duration of 16 months, although caution should be exercised using close monitoring in patients with preexisting DM. TZDs appear to be safe for a mean duration of 37 months after renal transplant.
The Epidemiology of Dementia Associated with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative illness after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cognitive impairment and dementia are common features in PD and characterized by a wide range of cognitive deficits distinct from those seen in AD. Mild cognitive impairment occurs even early in PD and is associated with shorter time to dementia. The purpose of this review is to present recent findings on clinical aspects of dementia in PD and to elucidate underlying clinical and neurobiological risk factors.
Nitric Oxide–mediated Relaxation to Lactate of Coronary Circulation in the Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of lactate on coronary circulation. Rat hearts were perfused in a Langendorff preparation, and the coronary response to lactate (3–30 mM) was recorded after precontracting coronary vasculature with 11-dideoxy-1a,9a-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2α (U46619), in the presence or the absence of the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, N-omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10−4 M), the blocker of Ca2+-dependent potassium channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10−3 M), or the blocker of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channels, glybenclamide (10−5 M). The effects of lactate were also studied in isolated segments of rat coronary arteries that were precontracted with U46619, with or without endothelium. In perfused hearts, lactate induced concentration-dependent coronary vasodilatation and a reduction in myocardial contractility (left ventricular developed pressure and dP/dt) without altering the heart rate. Coronary vasodilatation in response to lactate was reduced by l-NAME but unaffected by TEA or glybenclamide. The effects of lactate on myocardial contractility were unchanged by l-NAME, TEA, or glybenclamide. In isolated coronary artery segments, lactate also produced relaxation, an effect attenuated by removing the endothelium. Together these findings suggest that lactate exerts coronary vasodilatory effects through the release of endothelial nitric oxide, independently of potassium channels. These findings may be relevant for the regulation of coronary circulation when lactate levels are elevated.
Fouille d'images IRMf: algorithme CURE

Dans cet article, nous presentons la fouille d'images IRMf a travers l'utilisation d'un algorithme hierarchique ascendant de classification non supervisee: CURE. Nous avons adapte cet algorithme a nos contraintes pour nous permettre de traiter des volumes de donnees importants en temps quasi reel. Ces extensions portent sur le tirage aleatoire des signaux, leur partitionnement, leur echantillonnage, ainsi que la representativite des clusters. Nous exposerons les divers elements de tests realises sur des donnees IRMf synthetiques, et nous critiquerons les resultats obtenus par CURE en devoilant ses forces et faiblesses, en comparaison avec d'autres algorithmes implementes prealablement et testes sur les memes donnees.