Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Metabolism and Disease in a large dialysis network.

BACKGROUND The impact of the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Metabolism and Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease has not been assessed. METHODS We compared albumin-adjusted serum calcium, phosphate, calcium x phosphate (Ca x P) product, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) values among active hemodialysis patients who received care at Dialysis Clinic Inc facilities during 8-month periods before (n = 9,516) and after (n = 9,543) the October 2003 release of the KDOQI guidelines. We examined the impact of missed sessions, abbreviated sessions, and patient-dietitian ratio on achievement of consistent control (defined as >or= 75% values within guideline targets) for each parameter. We also evaluated whether achievement of consistent control of a given parameter precluded control of another. RESULTS There was a modest decrease in mean per-patient concentration for all mineral metabolic indicators after release of the guidelines. Similarly, the proportion of values within the recommended ranges for serum calcium, phosphate, and Ca x P product increased, but remained unchanged for PTH. The likelihood of achieving consistent control for each indicator increased when other parameters were concomitantly in range. Missed dialysis sessions were associated with a lower likelihood of achieving consistent control of calcium, phosphate, and Ca x P product levels, whereas abbreviated sessions were associated inversely with consistent achievement of phosphate and Ca x P product target levels. Variations in patient-dietitian ratio had no discernible association with mineral metabolic control. CONCLUSION The KDOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Metabolism and Disease had a small, but noticeable, effect in the year after their release. Additional studies should evaluate whether achievement of the prescribed target levels confers an advantage with respect to relevant clinical outcomes.
Tacrolimus and Sirolimus Cause Insulin Resistance in Normal Sprague Dawley Rats

Background. Tacrolimus-sirolimus immunosuppression has improved islet graft survival but may affect islet function. Methods. We studied the effects of tacrolimus, sirolimus, or both in normal adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Glucose and insulin response to oral glucose load and pancreas pathology were evaluated after two weeks of daily tacrolimus (1–8 mg/kg/day), sirolimus (0.08–8 mg/kg/day), or low-dose sirolimus (0.08 mg/kg/day) plus tacrolimus (1 mg/kg/day) treatment compared to controls. Results. Tacrolimus and sirolimus each caused dose-dependent hyperglycemia with hyperinsulinemia in response to oral glucose compared to controls, suggesting insulin resistance. At the highest doses of sirolimus, fasting insulin concentrations were high and did not increase with oral glucose suggesting loss of first phase insulin release. The combination of low doses of tacrolimus and sirolimus, at concentrations used in clinical transplantation, resulted in hyperglycemia without hyperinsulinemia after oral glucose administration. The combination of tacrolimus and sirolimus decreased islet size, and increased islet apoptosis more than either medication alone, or controls. Conclusions. In summary, short-term therapy with either tacrolimus or sirolimus causes insulin resistance in normal rats. Combination tacrolimus-sirolimus causes greater islet changes suggesting early islet failure.
Lyophilized insulin nanoparticles prepared from quaternized N-aryl derivatives of chitosan as a new strategy for oral delivery of insulin: in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo characterizations

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this research was the development, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo characterization of lyophilized insulin nanoparticles prepared from quaternized N-aryl derivatives of chitosan. Methods: Insulin nanoparticles were prepared from methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl), methylated N-(4 pyridinyl) and methylated N-(benzyl). Insulin nanoparticles containing non-modified chitosan and also trimethyl chiotsan (TMC) were also prepared as control. The effects of the freeze-drying process on physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles were investigated. The release of insulin from the nanoparticles was studied in vitro. The mechanism of the release of insulin from different types of nanoparticles was determined using curve fitting. The secondary structure of the insulin released from the nanoparticles was analyzed using circular dichroism and the cell cytotoxicity of nanoparticles on a Caco-2 cell line was determined. Ex vivo studies were performed on excised rat jejunum using Frantz diffusion cells. In vivo studies were performed on diabetic male Wistar rats and blood glucose level and insulin serum concentration were determined. Results: Optimized nanoparticles with proper physico-chemical properties were obtained. The lyophilization process was found to cause a decrease in zeta potential and an increase in PdI as well as and a decrease in entrapment efficiency (EE%) and loading efficiency (LE%) but conservation in size of nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed non-aggregated, stable and spherical to sub-spherical nanoparticles. The in vitro release study revealed higher release rates for lyophilized compared to non-lyophilized nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity studies on Caco-2 cells revealed no significant cytotoxicity for prepared nanoparticles after 3-h post-incubation but did show the concentration-dependent cytotoxicity after 24 h. The percentage of cumulative insulin determined from ex vivo studies was significantly higher in nanoparticles prepared from quaternized aromatic derivatives of chitosan. In vivo data showed significantly higher insulin intestinal absorption in nanoparticles prepared from methylated N-(4-N, N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan nanoparticles compared to trimethyl chitosan. Conclusion: These data obtained demonstrated that as the result of optimized physico-chemical properties, drug release rate, cytotoxicity profile, ex vivo permeation enhancement and increased in vivo absorption, nanoparticles prepared from N-aryl derivatives of chitosan can be considered as valuable method for the oral delivery of insulin.
On the Geometrical Characteristic of Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks and its Application in Network Performance Analysis

A wireless ad-hoc network can be roughly considered as one consisting of a collection of mobile nodes distributed in a finite region, which adopts a non-centralized and self-organized structure. In such networks, messages are transmitted, received and forwarded in a finite geometrical region. In addition, the transmission of messages is highly dependent on the locations of the mobile nodes. As a result, the geometrical relationships between the nodes, and especially the distance between them are of fundamental importance. In this paper, we propose a space decomposition method to analyze the probability distribution of the distance between nodes in an ad-hoc network. In particular, we derive two theoretical expressions for the probability distribution of the distance between nodes under the assumption that the nodes are independently and uniformly distributed in either a rectangular region or hexagonal region. Further results on the node degree distribution and max-flow capacity of the network are then presented based upon these expressions
The Reaction between Nitrite and Deoxyhemoglobin

Recent evidence suggests that the reaction between nitrite and deoxygenated hemoglobin provides a mechanism by which nitric oxide is synthesized in vivo. This reaction has been previously defined to follow second order kinetics, although variable product stoichiometry has been reported. In this study we have re-examined this reaction and found that under fully deoxygenated conditions the product stoichiometry is 1:1 (methemoglobin:nitrosylhemoglobin), and unexpectedly, the kinetics deviate substantially from a simple second order reaction and exhibit a sigmoidal profile. The kinetics of this reaction are consistent with an increase in reaction rate elicited by heme oxidation and iron-nitrosylation. In addition, conditions that favor the “R” conformation show an increased rate over conditions that favor the “T” conformation. The reactivity of nitrite with heme is clearly more complex than has been previously realized and is dependent upon the conformational state of the hemoglobin tetramer, suggesting that the nitrite reductase activity of hemoglobin is under allosteric control.
Improving Network Attack Alarm System : A Proposed Hybrid Intrusion Detection System Model

Intrusion Detection System (IDS) serves as an important tool in preventing, detecting and defending against network attack. Due to increasing incidence of cyber-attacks, building an effective hybrid intrusion detection system is essential for prevention of any attack, protecting information system, monitoring networks against attacks or intrusion, and reporting these attacks to the appropriate centre for immediate action. In this paper, a hybrid intrusion detection system, integrating the strengths of the misuse detection system and the anomaly detection system were used to reduce the chances or occurrence of attacks on the network to a minimal level. This system works as an alert device in the event of attacks directed at an entire network and it also helps in reducing the number of false positive as well as false negative alarm.
DJ-1 Enhances Cell Survival through the Binding of Cezanne, a Negative Regulator of NF-κB*

Heightened DJ-1 (Park7) expression is associated with a reduction in chemotherapeutic-induced cell death and poor prognosis in several cancers, whereas the loss of DJ-1 function is found in a subgroup of Parkinson disease associated with neuronal death. This study describes a novel pathway by which DJ-1 modulates cell survival. Mass spectrometry shows that DJ-1 interacts with BBS1, CLCF1, MTREF, and Cezanne/OTUD7B/Za20d1. Among these, Cezanne is a known deubiquitination enzyme that inhibits NF-κB activity. DJ-1/Cezanne interaction is confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of overexpressed and endogenous proteins, maps to the amino-terminal 70 residues of DJ-1, and leads to the inhibition of the deubiquitinating activity of Cezanne. Microarray profiling of shRNA-transduced cells shows that DJ-1 and Cezanne regulate IL-8 and ICAM-1 expression in opposing directions. Similarly, DJ-1 enhances NF-κB nuclear translocation and cell survival, whereas Cezanne reduces these outcomes. Analysis of mouse Park7−/− primary cells confirms the regulation of ICAM-1 by DJ-1 and Cezanne. As NF-κB is important in cellular survival and transformation, IL-8 functions as an angiogenic factor and pro-survival signal, and ICAM-1 has been implicated in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis; these data provide an additional modality by which DJ-1 controls cell survival and possibly tumor progression via interaction with Cezanne.
Comparison of the efficacy of pentoxifylline and albifyllin (HWA 138) on endotoxin-induced cytokine production, coagulation disturbances, and mortality.

We have evaluated two different xanthine derivatives, pentoxifylline (POF) and albifyllin (HWA), in rat endotoxemia for their ability to reduce 1) cytokine formation, 2) coagulation disturbances, and 3) mortality. The animals were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (15 mg/kg i.p.) and received HWA or POF (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) or saline 30 min before LPS administration. The plasma tumor necrosis factor levels were significantly reduced and in a similar manner by pretreatment with HWA or POF in vivo as well as in vitro. Neither the coagulation disturbance nor the characteristic leukopenia that follow an LPS challenge were significantly influenced by the xanthine derivatives. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the 6 day mortality was significantly reduced by HWA to 36% but only attenuated by POF to 55% as compared to 80% in the control group. The similar effect of both agents on cytokine formation and coagulation disturbances indicate that, at least to a substantial degree, other mechanisms may account for the significant protection of rats against endotoxin-induced mortality by HWA only. HWA 138 may, therefore, be a new powerful agent against endotoxin-related disorders and mortality.
Synchronization of multiple nonlinear agents

This paper investigated the synchronization problem among group of nonlinear agents. We showed a nonlinear transformation mapping the state of the original system into a linear state exists for general nonlinear systems, just as the linear case. Under the mild condition that the synchronized trajectory is globally defined for all time and two different trajectories of the agent dynamics (without control) diverges exponentially fast, synchronization is proved feasible in directed graphs.
Stock Recommendations and Analyst Conflicts of Interest : Evidence from the Taiwan Stock Market

This paper investigates stock price reaction to analysts’ information reported in a Taiwanese financial newspaper. We found that the longer investment horizons are, the worse stock recommendations perform after the forecast release date. The results also show that the reaction of stock price is asymmetric with respect to industry-specific factors. Additional evidence, using both ratios of forecast error and the change in selling volume, indicates that potential conflict occurs between brokerage firms’ research departments and dealer departments.
Book reviews with a note about Knowledge Management and Human Resources

Knowledge Management (KM) and Human Resources (HR) management are two phrases appearing in a various publications rather frequently at the moment. Are they simply activities which any good Information manager would have already taken in his stride, or is there some good reason for the hype that they are currently receiving? The answer to both questions is yes. The good manager would like to receive some recognition for tangible benefits which are the outcome of his efforts. There’s no harm in accentuating the positive. You make your department more visible by introducing new notions. The two phrases have a ring to them that is lacking in that vague intangible function “Information Management”. If you search the Web using AltaVista with the phrase “human resources AND knowledge management” you will receive 1858 hits (4th August 1998) but limiting the search to “since July 1st” reduces it to 24. Several are advertisements for consulting services. One company says that it developed “knowledge-based systems for the legal field . The rise of the Internet is having an impact on Human Resources”.
How Threats Influence the Evolutionary Resolution of Within‐Group Conflict

Most examples of cooperation in nature share a common feature: individuals can interact to produce a productivity benefit or fitness surplus, but there is conflict over how these gains are shared. A central question is how threats to exercise outside options influence the resolution of conflict within such cooperative associations. Here we show how a simple principle from economic bargaining theory, the outside option principle, can help to solve this problem in biological systems. According to this principle, outside options will affect the resolution of conflict only when the payoff of taking up these options exceeds the payoffs individuals can obtain from bargaining or negotiating within the group; otherwise, threats to exercise outside options are not credible and are therefore irrelevant. We show that previous attempts to incorporate outside options in synthetic models of reproductive conflict fail to distinguish between credible and incredible threats, and then we use the outside option principle to develop credible synthetic models in two contexts: reproductive skew and biparental care. A striking prediction of our analysis is that outside options are least relevant to the resolution of conflict in cooperative groups of kin and are most relevant in transient associations or interactions among nonrelatives. Our analysis shows a way to link the resolution of within‐group conflict to the environmental setting in which it occurs, and it illuminates the role of threats in the evolution of social behavior.
Teachings from the egg: New and unexpected functions of RNAs

Localized mRNAs found in specific regions of somatic cells, germ cells, and embryos function through their protein translation products in cell polarization and development. Recent studies on Xenopus and Drosophila eggs and various somatic cells showed that some of the localized noncoding and coding RNAs play a structural (translation independent) role in maintaining the integrity of microtubule and microfilament cytoskeleton and/or may function in protein folding or as a scaffold for the assembly of cytoplasmic complexes essential for egg or embryo development. In addition, structural noncoding RNAs within the cell nucleus have been shown to be involved in the organization of chromatin, nuclear bodies, and DNA replication. The fact that some of the RNAs may have previously unforeseen structural functions, will change our view on traditional functions of RNAs and will open new frontiers in the field of RNA studies and therapeutic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 922–932, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What Comments Did I Get? How Post and Comment Characteristics Predict Interaction Satisfaction on Facebook

Commenting on social media posts is an important part of interaction on Facebook and other social media sites. The number of comments people receive has been linked to their experience on social media, but less is known about how the content of comments relates to both the original posts and posters’ communicative outcomes, such as their mood and satisfaction with the interaction. The present study analyzed 822 Facebook status updates from a sample of 233 participants, along with 1175 corresponding comments, to determine how post, comment, and outcome characteristics are interrelated. We found congruence in valence and intimacy between status updates and comments, supporting the reciprocity principle of self-disclosure. Controlling for the number of comments and the content of posts, the content of comments mattered for satisfaction: more intimate comments were associated with higher levels of interaction satisfaction, and both intimacy and positive valence of comments were associated with more lasting effects on mood.
A virtual machine for live coding language design

The growth of the live-coding community has been coupled with a rich development of experimentation in new domainspecific languages, sometimes idiosyncratic to the interests of their performers. Nevertheless, programming language design may seem foreboding to many, steeped in computer science that is distant from the expertise of music performance. To broaden access to designing unique languages-asinstruments we developed an online programming environment that offers liveness in the process of language design as well as performance. The editor utilizes the Parsing Expression Grammar formalism for language design, and a virtual machine featuring collaborative multitasking for execution, in order to support a diversity of language concepts and affordances. The editor is coupled with online tutorial documentation aimed at the computer music community, with live examples embedded. This paper documents the design and use of the editor and its underlying virtual machine.
Multi-mode compliant digital enhanced transmitter architectures in nano-scale CMOS

This paper treats two different transmitter concepts both enhanced by highly flexible and generic digital architectures. The first investigated transmitter is based on a state-of-the-art direct up-conversion transmitter extended with a digital front end and the second concept is a polar transmitter (PT). Crucial part is to mitigate radio frequency (RF) impairments by the means of digital compensation techniques, e.g. direct current (DC) and I/Q gain imbalance and digital predistortion. Both transmitter architectures are multi-mode compliant and shall support LTE, UMTS, CDMA2000, and GSM. Each transmitter concept utilizes a highly reconfigurable all digital phase locked loop (ADPLL). In the case of the direct up-conversion transmitter the ADPLL is used for RF synthesis and in the case of the PT it is used as phase modulator. Furthermore, measurement results for RF synthesis, realized by an ADPLL in a 130 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technology, will be presented.
Tripper Application : Optimal Pruning Method via the Collection of Real Time Traffic Data in Road Networks

Road traffic congestion is a frequent problem worldwide. In India, a fast emergent economy, the difficult is intensely sensed in nearly all major cities. This is predominantly because infrastructure development is slow compared to growth in number of vehicles, due to space and cost limits. Secondly, Indian traffic being non-lane established and messy is largely different from the western traffic. In recent times, the management of transport systems has become increasingly important in many real applications such as site-based services, provide chain management, traffic inhibit, and so on. These applications typically take in queries over spatial road systems with dynamically changing and difficult traffic conditions. Transport Specialists universally are facing related strategic defies around fading jamming, insufficient transport infrastructure, affordability restraints, increasing secretions and growing client needs. In this paper, we representative such a network by a probabilistic time-dependent graph (PTD-Graph), whose edges are associated with unexpected edge delay functions. We intend a useful query in the PTD-Graph, namely a Tripper Query (TQ), which recovers trip plans that traverse a set of query points in PTD-Graph, having the minimum traveling time with high confidence. To undertake the efficiency problem, we present the pruning methods time interval pruning for reducing the search space of the TQ problem. For the probabilistic pruning, we develop a cost model to show the pre-computation of probability upper limits such that the query cost is estimated to be low. For the structural pruning, we precisely design synopses for vertex/edge labels by considering their distributions and other structural information, in order to improve the pruning power. Furthermore, we design a pre-computation technique based on the cost model and construct an index structure over the pre-computed data to enable the pruning via the index. We integrate our optimal pruning methods into an efficient query answering to TQs. Through extensive experiments, we exhibit the efficiency and effectiveness of our TQ query answering approach.