Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels Are Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Objective. To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as well as carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. 314 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study. The clinical data and laboratory examinations of subjects were recorded, such as serum 25(OH)D3, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and other biochemical parameters. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure carotid IMT and carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Patients were divided into four quartile groups according to the serum 25(OH)D3 levels from low to high: group Q1~group Q4. Results. From group Q1 to group Q4, carotid IMT and the incidence of plaque were gradually reduced. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were lower in the plaque group compared with the nonplaque group (P < 0.01). Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with the carotid IMT (r = −0.4, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D3 was independently associated with carotid IMT (β = −0.009, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D3 levels were independently associated with the presence of carotid plaque in T2DM (OR = 0.95; 95%CI: 0.92~0.98, P = 0.004). Conclusions. Low vitamin D status may contribute to the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.
An Analytical and Experimental Study of AAA Model with Special Reference to RADIUS and TACACS

A significant growth is observed in network technology during last few decades. Several kinds of information services are delivered using the networks. Additionally, both legitimate and malicious users are accessing the services. Moreover, the network is always vulnerable to different kinds of security issues. Therefore the domain of security is an essential aspect of the study, research, and development. For that purpose, the efforts are made to design effective security protocols. During effective security protocol design, the authentication, authorization, and accounting of network access are a key concern. The ability of network security design is well known as AAA model. This presented work investigates about the two popular network security protocols namely RADIUS and TACACS+ to deploy AAA model. Evaluation and comparison of both the security techniques and simulation methodologies are involved in the presented work.
Implementation of the Integrated Electronic Patient Portal in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND This study assessed the current state of knowledge regarding the use of the integrated electronic health record (EHR) patient portal for pediatric clinical care. A systematic examination of the research on implementation, utilization, and evaluation of the integrated EHR patient portal among pediatric patients has not been previously conducted. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to systematically review existing research on the state of the science, describe the way others have defined the patient portal, and examine pediatric patient portal utilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Covering a period from 1992 to 2014 a literature search was conducted on four electronic databases. Only articles in English were reviewed. Studies were included if they reported the use of a patient portal integrated with an electronic health record and captured pediatric medial encounters. Qualitative or quantitative studies of any design were eligible as long as they focused on patients (or parents) who access their health records through an electronic portal tied to an EHR and reported measures of satisfaction, attitudes on use, barriers and facilitators, adherence, or clinical and health outcomes. Content analysis of each article was performed independently by at least two authors using an extraction grid of study qualities, and quality and relevance of the studies were also assessed. RESULTS Of a total of 189 potentially relevant publications identified, 31 full-text publications were obtained after screening titles and abstracts. After a full review, 11 publications corresponding to seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The methodological approaches included cross-sectional surveys, retrospective analysis, qualitative studies, and usability testing. In general, feedback was positive. The most frequent negative comments about the portal reflected concern about teenager interaction with the portal and how that might affect communication among patient, parent, and provider. Some users were frustrated with the complexity of medical terminology used. CONCLUSIONS Reflecting the additional considerations of pediatric proxy access and fewer chronically ill patients, pediatric medicine has yet to use the patient portal as a modality for outcomes measurement. Given the paucity of studies within this age group, it is difficult to measure outcome improvements or the effect of patient record access on healthcare behaviors. This systematic review presents innovative research on the general acceptance of the patient portal among parents and highlights that the implementation of the portal is still in its early stages and has yet to be used widely in diverse populations or studies in a longitudinal manner. Further studies should confirm that protected access to health information and secure communication and information sharing with healthcare providers have an impact in the pediatric population on healthcare outcomes.
Cellular Stress Regulates the Nucleocytoplasmic Distribution of the Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase TCPTP*

Specific cellular stresses, including hyperosmotic stress, caused a dramatic but reversible cytoplasmic accumulation of the otherwise nuclear 45-kDa variant of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase TCPTP (TC45). In the cytoplasm, TC45 dephosphorylated the epidermal growth factor receptor and down-regulated the hyperosmotic stress-induced activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase. The hyperosmotic stress-induced nuclear exit of TC45 was not inhibited by leptomycin B, indicating that TC45 nuclear exit was independent of the exportin CRM-1. Moreover, hyperosmotic stress did not induce the cytoplasmic accumulation of a green fluorescent protein-TC45 fusion protein that was too large to diffuse across the nuclear pore. Our results indicate that TC45 nuclear exit may occur by passive diffusion and that cellular stress may induce the cytoplasmic accumulation of TC45 by inhibiting nuclear import. Neither p42Erk2 nor the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38 mediated the stress-induced redistribution of TC45. We found that only those stresses that stimulated the metabolic stress-sensing enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) induced the redistribution of TC45. In addition, specific pharmacological activation of the AMPK was sufficient to cause the accumulation of TC45 in the cytoplasm. Our studies indicate that specific stress-activated signaling pathways that involve the AMPK can alter the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of TC45 and thus regulate TC45 functionin vivo.
Prevalence and Correlates of HIV Infection Among Male Injection Drug Users in Detention in Tehran, Iran

Objective:To measure HIV prevalence and characterize associated risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDU) upon detention in Tehran, Iran. Methods:A cross-sectional survey included 459 male IDU arrested by police during a police sweep in Tehran in 2006. A questionnaire was completed, and blood was collected for HIV testing. Results:Overall HIV prevalence was 24.4% (95% confidence interval 20.5-28.6). Factors independently associated with HIV infection included history of using an opioid in jail (adjusted odds ratio 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.26-3.53) and older age (adjusted odds ratio 2.79 for 25-34, 3.01 for 35-44, 4.62 for ≥ 45 yr). Conclusions:This study supports that incarceration is contributing to the increased spread of HIV. Harm reduction programs should be urgently expanded, particularly among incarcerated IDU.
The Biology of Cleavage Fragments: A Brief Synthesis and Analysis of Current Knowledge

Asbestos is a commercial term referring to 6 fibrous minerals from 2 mineralogical classes: serpentine and amphibole. Chrysotile, or white asbestos, is the only serpentine mineral. The asbestiform habit of amphibole asbestos is far more toxic than chrysotile. However, most amphibole minerals are found in the “non-asbestiform” state that pose few, if any, health risks. Comminution, whether deliberate during crushing or grinding, or incidental in usage may produce structures known as “cleavage fragments” from a wide variety of sources. A considerable body of evidence, gathered over the last 30 years, demonstrates that amphibole cleavage fragments do not show the same toxicity as their asbestiform analogues. Since there still continues to be confusion and controversy on this point, this review is aimed at resolving a major portion of this controversy. It has done so by bringing together the supporting mineralogical, animal and human evidence from many sources. These observations demonstrate that cleavage fragments and amphibole asbestos fibres have fundamentally different properties and these differences are biologically relevant. Indeed, the toxicity of respirable cleavage fragments is so much less than that of the fibrous amphiboles that by any reasonable measure they are not biologically harmful.
SMART WORMS DEFENSE AND DETECTION

There are several worm attacks in the recent years, this leads to an essentiality of producing new detection technique for worm attacks. In this paper we present a spectrum based smart worm detection scheme, this is based on the idea of detection of worm in the frequency domain. This scheme uses the power spectral density of the scan traffic volume and its corresponding flatness measure to distinguish the smart worm traffic from background traffic. This scheme showed better results against the smart worms and also for the c-worm detection.
Improvement of dexterity by single session low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the contralesional motor cortex in acute stroke: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial.

PURPOSE Increasing evidence suggests that the contralesional motor cortex (M1) inhibits the ipsilesional M1 in stroke patients. This inhibition could impair motor function of the affected hand. We investigated if inhibitory 1~Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the contralesional M1 improved motor performance of the affected hand in acute stroke. METHODS A double-blind study of real versus placebo rTMS was conducted. Twelve patients early after subcortical stroke (mean: 7 days) received 1200 stimuli of real and placebo rTMS in a crossover design. The sequence of stimulations was counterbalanced across subjects. Stimulus intensity was subthreshold (90% of motor threshold at rest). Motor function was tested by grip strength recordings and Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) executions before and after each rTMS session. RESULTS Compared to sham stimulation, real rTMS improved NHPT results but not grip strength in the affected hand. No change of performance was observed for the unaffected hand. NHPT baseline repetitions in a subgroup of patients indicated stable motor performance prior to the rTMS sessions. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that therapeutic rTMS applications over the contralesional hemisphere are feasible in acute stroke patients and can transiently improve dexterity of the affected hand. RTMS may become an additional tool for early neurorehabilitation.
Evaluation of Polyvinyl Acetate Dispersion as a Sustained Release Polymer for Tablets

Kollicoat SR 30D is a unique 30% aqueous dispersion of polyvinvyl acetate stabilized by polyvinyl-pyrrolidone intended for preparation of sustained release products. Detailed evaluation of this polymer dispersion as a sustained release coating for active pharmaceutical ingredients of two diverse classes of drugs was studied. A water insoluble drug (ibuprofen) and a water soluble drug (ascorbic acid) were selected as model active drugs. Ibuprofen was granulated using a GPCG-1 fluid bed processor prior to tableting, to improve the particle size and particle flow properties. In this process a 23 factorial design was implemented to evaluate the optimum process parameters such as spray rate, inlet air temperature and the inlet air velocity. The statistical model selected was Yijkl= μ + τi + βj + θk + (τβ)i j + (βθ)j k + (τθ)i k + (τ β θ)i j k + εijkl. The factorial design showed that the spray rate, inlet air temperature, and inlet air velocity had a significant effect (p value <0.05) on the particle size. Significant improvement was observed in the flow properties of the granules. The granules were coated with Kollicoat SR30D dispersion using top spray method in the fluid bed processor. The dissolution studies showed that the release of ibuprofen decreased with an increase in the coating levels of Kollicoat SR 30 D. In the case of ascorbic acid, preparation of sustained release coated commercial granules was not possible due to the difficulty in coating a highly soluble drug particle. However, the coated granules when compressed into tablets showed some sustainability. Ibuprofen tablets manufactured with coated granules with a 15 g polymer for 300 g batch showed dissolution parameters of t50 and t90 at 4.2 hr and 7.5 hr, respectively. An approximate zero-type of release was observed when the polymer content was increased to 45 g for 300 g batch. Ascorbic acid tablets made with coated commercial granules having a total polymer content of 45g per a 500 g batch showed an average dissolution t50 and t90 at 1.0 hr and 4.55 hr, respectively. When the total polymer content was increased to 60 g, per 500 g, the average dissolution t50 and t90 delayed to 1.40 hr and 7.20 hr, respectively.
Crystal structures of the metal‐dependent 2‐dehydro‐3‐deoxy‐galactarate aldolase suggest a novel reaction mechanism

Carbon–carbon bond formation is an essential reaction in organic chemistry and the use of aldolase enzymes for the stereochemical control of such reactions is an attractive alternative to conventional chemical methods. Here we describe the crystal structures of a novel class II enzyme, 2‐dehydro‐3‐deoxy‐galactarate (DDG) aldolase from Escherichia coli, in the presence and absence of substrate. The crystal structure was determined by locating only four Se sites to obtain phases for 506 protein residues. The protomer displays a modified (α/β)8 barrel fold, in which the eighth α‐helix points away from the β‐barrel instead of packing against it. Analysis of the DDG aldolase crystal structures suggests a novel aldolase mechanism in which a phosphate anion accepts the proton from the methyl group of pyruvate.
Adaptive Behaviors in Young Children: A Unique Cultural Comparison in Italy

On account of a series of unique historical events, the present-day denizens of South Tyrol inhabit a cultural, political, and linguistic autonomous region that intercalates Italians and Austrian/ German Italians. The authors compared contemporary Italian and Austrian/German Italian girls’ and boys’ adaptive behaviors in everyday activities in this region. Using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, the authors first interviewed mothers about their children’s communication, daily living, socialization, and motor skills. Main effects of local culture (and no interactions with gender) emerged: Austrian/German Italian children were rated higher than Italian children in both adaptive daily living and socialization skills. Next, the authors explored ethnic differences in childrearing. Austrian/German Italians reported fostering greater autonomy in their children than Italians, and children’s autonomy was associated with their adaptive behavior. Children living in neighboring Italian and Austrian/German Italian cultural niches appear to experience subtle but consequentially different conditions of development that express themselves in terms of differing levels of adaptive behaviors.
Common Sequence Polymorphisms Shaping Genetic Diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana

The genomes of individuals from the same species vary in sequence as a result of different evolutionary processes. To examine the patterns of, and the forces shaping, sequence variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, we performed high-density array resequencing of 20 diverse strains (accessions). More than 1 million nonredundant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at moderate false discovery rates (FDRs), and ∼4% of the genome was identified as being highly dissimilar or deleted relative to the reference genome sequence. Patterns of polymorphism are highly nonrandom among gene families, with genes mediating interaction with the biotic environment having exceptional polymorphism levels. At the chromosomal scale, regional variation in polymorphism was readily apparent. A scan for recent selective sweeps revealed several candidate regions, including a notable example in which almost all variation was removed in a 500-kilobase window. Analyzing the polymorphisms we describe in larger sets of accessions will enable a detailed understanding of forces shaping population-wide sequence variation in A. thaliana.
Automatic model predictive control implementation in a high-performance microcontroller

In this paper, a framework for embedding Model Predictive Control (MPC) for Systems-on-a-Chip applications is presented. This contribution is especially interesting when dealing with high performances devices since it increases the number of addressable control applications in the industrial field and particularly in fast systems. Aiming to allow the implementation of such a computationally expensive controller on chip, we propose optimization hints satisfying trade-offs between code size and computation speed versus digital precision and effectiveness of the computed control action. The illustration of the proposed implementation is tested on a high performance STM32F407 microcontroller. Analysis of the accuracy of the digital implementation of MPC algorithm are given, and it shows that the proposed framework controls successfully the process with a good set-point tracking and a low computational burden with a high speed.
Power Decoupling Method Based on the Diagonal Compensating Matrix for VSG-Controlled Parallel Inverters in the Microgrid

The thought of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) for controlling the grid-connected inverters and providing virtual inertia to the microgrid is emerging as a wide extension of the droop control, power coupling that always exists in the low-voltage microgrid, which may deteriorate the dynamic response and the stability of the system. In this paper, the principle of VSG control is introduced first. As an important issue of VSG control, the mechanism of the power coupling in the low-voltage microgrid is analyzed and the small-signal equivalent model of the power transmission loop is established. Subsequently, a power decoupling method based on the diagonal compensating matrix for VSG is proposed, which can realize the power decoupling with no impact on the original control channel. Meanwhile, the feasibility analysis of the decoupling method and the improved approach for reactive power sharing are also discussed. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the decoupling strategy for VSGs.
Myocilin Stimulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling*

Background: Myocilin, a secreted glaucoma-associated protein, is detected in ocular and non-ocular tissues. Results: Myocilin is expressed in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and stimulates their differentiation into osteoblasts. Conclusion: Myocilin-stimulated osteogenic differentiation of MSCs is associated with activation of MAP kinase signaling pathways. Significance: Modulation of myocilin activity could potentially be targeted to improve the bone-regenerative potential of MSCs. Myocilin is a secreted glycoprotein that is expressed in ocular and non-ocular tissues. Mutations in the MYOCILIN gene may lead to juvenile- and adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma. Here we report that myocilin is expressed in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and plays a role in their differentiation into osteoblasts in vitro and in osteogenesis in vivo. Expression of myocilin was detected in MSCs derived from mouse, rat, and human bone marrow, with human MSCs exhibiting the highest level of myocilin expression. Expression of myocilin rose during the course of human MSC differentiation into osteoblasts but not into adipocytes, and treatment with exogenous myocilin further enhanced osteogenesis. MSCs derived from Myoc-null mice had a reduced ability to differentiate into the osteoblastic lineage, which was partially rescued by exogenous extracellular myocilin treatment. Myocilin also stimulated osteogenic differentiation of wild-type MSCs, which was associated with activation of the p38, Erk1/2, and JNK MAP kinase signaling pathways as well as up-regulated expression of the osteogenic transcription factors Runx2 and Dlx5. Finally, cortical bone thickness and trabecular volume, as well as the expression level of osteopontin, a known factor of bone remodeling and osteoblast differentiation, were reduced dramatically in the femurs of Myoc-null mice compared with wild-type mice. These data suggest that myocilin should be considered as a target for improving the bone regenerative potential of MSCs and may identify a new role for myocilin in bone formation and/or maintenance in vivo.
A test of niche centrality as a determinant of population trends and conservation status in threatened and endangered North American birds

Abundance and other aspects of population ecology have long been known to con- tribute to shaping the geography of species' distributions. In particular, abundance patterns have recently been shown to negatively correlate with environmental distance from conditions in the center of a species' abiotic niche, rather than vary with distance from the geographic center of a species' distribution. We tested for such associations across 8 species of endangered or threatened bird species in North America using population trend data derived from >4 decades of North Amer- ican Breeding Bird Surveys. Although we found no consistent overall pattern, we did observe nega- tive population trends at conditions that were the most extreme within species' niches. This suggests that niche peripherality is a relevant factor to consider in conservation planning. Specifi- cally, environmentally peripheral sites may be poor places in which to protect populations of endan- gered and threatened species, irrespective of how centrally they may occur within species' geo- graphic distributions.