Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation by metformin of the hexose transport system in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells

1 The effect of the biguanide metformin on hexose transport activity was studied in bovine cultured aortic endothelial (BEC) and smooth muscle cells (BSMC). 2 Metformin elevated the rate of hexose transport determined with 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in both cell types. Similar ED50 values (0.8‐1.0 mM) were determined for the effect of metformin on 2DG uptake in both BEC and BSMC following 24 h exposure to increasing concentrations of metformin, with maximal stimulation at 2 mM. 3 In BEC, metformin increased the hexose transport rate 2–3 fold at all glucose concentrations tested (3.3–22.2 mM). In BSMC incubated with 22.2 mM glucose, metformin elevated the hexose transport ∼2 fold. The drug was also effective at lower glucose levels, but did not exceed the maximal transport rate observed in glucose‐deprived cells. 4 Similar results were obtained when the effect of metformin on hexose transport activity was assessed with the non‐metabolizable hexose analogue, 3‐O‐methylglucose, suggesting that the drug affects primarily the rate of hexose transport rather than its subsequent phosphorylation. 5 The metformin‐induced increase in hexose transport in BSMC treated for 24 h with the drug correlated with increased abundance of GLUT1 protein in the plasma membrane, as determined by Western blot analysis. 6 These data indicate that in addition to its known effects on hexose metabolism in insulin responsive tissues, metformin also affects the hexose transport system in vascular cells. This may contribute to its blood glucose lowering capacity in patients with Type 2, non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus.
A graph‐based approach to find teleconnections in climate data

Pressure dipoles are important long distance climate phenomena (teleconnection) characterized by pressure anomalies of the opposite polarity appearing at two different locations at the same time. Such dipoles have been proven important for understanding and explaining the variability in climate in many regions of the world, e.g. the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate phenomenon, which is described by opposite pressure anomalies between the west and east Pacific and is known to be responsible for precipitation and temperature anomalies worldwide. This paper presents a graph‐based approach called shared reciprocal nearest neighbor approach that considers only reciprocal positive and negative edges in the shared nearest neighbor graph to find the dipoles. One crucial aspect of our approach to the analysis of such networks is a careful treatment of negative correlations, whose proper consideration is critical for finding the dipoles. Further, our work shows the importance of modeling the time‐dependent patterns of the dipoles in a changing climate in order to better capture the impact of important climate phenomena on the globe. To show the utility of finding dipoles using our approach, we show that the data driven dynamic climate indices generated from our algorithm generally perform better than static indices formed from the fixed locations used by climate scientists in terms of capturing impact on global temperature and precipitation. Our approach can generate a single snapshot picture of all the dipole interconnections on the globe in a given dataset and thus makes it possible to study the changes in dipole interactions and movements. As teleconnections are crucial in the understanding of the global climate system, there is a pressing need to better understand the behavior and interactions of these atmospheric processes as well as to capture them precisely. Our systematic graph‐based approach to find the teleconnections in climate data is an attempt in that direction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 6: 158–179, 2013
The therapeutic potential of modulating the ceramide/sphingomyelin pathway.

Membrane lipids of the sphingolipid class contain a long-chain sphingoid base backbone (such as sphingosine), an amide-linked, long-chain fatty acid, and one of various polar head groups. The structure of these head groups defines the various sphingolipid subtypes, with a hydroxyl group found in ceramide, phosphorylcholine in sphingomyelin (SM), and carbohydrates in glycosphingolipids (Figure ​(Figure11 and not shown). Because SM is concentrated in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and provides a barrier to the extracellular environment (1), it was long assumed to serve only structural roles. However, in 1987 our laboratory reported for the first time rapid sphingomyelinase (SMase) activation in response to 1,2-diacylglycerols but not phorbol esters (2), and proposed the existence of an SM-based signaling pathway (3, 4). Subsequently, Hannun and coworkers showed that this pathway can be activated by receptor-mediated mechanisms (5) and provided evidence that ceramide is a second messenger (6). Indeed, sphingolipid metabolism has proved to be a dynamic process, and sphingolipid metabolites — including ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) — are now recognized as messengers playing essential roles in cell growth, survival, and death (7, 8). Figure 1 Schematic representation of sphingolipid intermediary metabolism.
Evaluation of a web-based asynchronous pediatric emergency medicine learning tool for residents and medical students.

OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness of an asynchronous learning tool consisting of web-based lectures for trainees covering major topics pertinent to pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) and to assess resident and student evaluation of this mode of education. METHODS PEM faculty and fellows created a 21-lecture, web-based curriculum. These 20-minute online lectures used Microsoft PowerPoint with the voice-over feature. A 75-question test was created to assess the effectiveness of the web-based learning model, administered online before and after the rotation in the pediatric emergency department (PED). All fourth-year medical students and residents (across all specialties) rotating through the PED were required to complete 10 of the 21 lectures during their 1-month rotation. The main outcome variable was difference in score between pre- and post-rotation tests of participants who viewed no lectures and those who viewed at least one lecture. Evaluation of the program was assessed by anonymous survey using 5-point discrete visual analog scales. Responses of 4 or 5 were considered positive for analysis. RESULTS One hundred eleven residents and fourth-year medical students participated in the program. An initial 32 completed testing before implementation of the on-line lectures (March 2007-August 2007), and another five did not complete the on-line lectures after implementation (September 2007-February 2008). Seventy-one completed testing and on-line lectures, and all but three completed at least 10 on-line lectures during their rotation. Fourteen of 111 trainees did not complete the pre- or post-test (including two who viewed the lectures). The mean change in score was a 1% improvement from pre-test to post-test for trainees who viewed no lectures and a 6.2% improvement for those who viewed the lectures (mean difference = 5.2%, 95% confidence interval = 2.5% to 7.9%). In the linear regression model, the estimate of the coefficient was 0.43 (p < 0.001), meaning that, for each lecture viewed, post-test score rose by 0.43%. Sixty-nine of 75 test items (92%) had a point biserial correlation greater than 0.15. Thirty of the 72 trainees who completed the online lectures and testing (42%) returned surveys. All were comfortable using the Internet, and 87% (26/30) found the web-site easy to use. All felt that their educational goals were met, and 100% felt that the format would be useful in other areas of education. CONCLUSIONS Although not a replacement for traditional bedside teaching, the use of web-based lectures as an asynchronous learning tool has a positive effect on medical knowledge test scores. Trainees were able to view online lectures on their own schedules, in the location of their choice. This is helpful in a field with shift work, in which trainees rarely work together, making it difficult to synchronously provide lectures to all trainees.
Inkjet-printed substrate integrated waveguides (SIW) with “drill-less” vias on paper substrates

In this paper, an inkjet-printed substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) on commercially available cellulose paper is implemented for the first time. Unlike traditional inkjet-printed SIW's, it does not require any etching process to form the conductive side walls and utilizes the porosity of the paper to get through-substrate conduction. The frequency response of the waveguide along with its performance under bending is discussed in this paper, verifying that such a structure would be particularly suitable for Quality of Life and Internet of Things applications.
Bromelain Loading and Release from a Hydrogel Formulated Using Alginate and Arabic Gum

Abstract An ideal wound dressing ensures a moist environment around the wound area and absorbs exudates from the wound surface. Topical application of bromelain to incised wounds has been shown to reprogram the wound microenvironment to promote effective tissue repair. Combining the characteristics of hydrogels and bromelain is therefore of great interest. Herein, we describe the development of a hydrogel, formulated using alginate and Arabic gum, for bromelain loading and release. The hydrogel formulation was evaluated using response surface methodology, considering the pH value and the concentration of alginate and Arabic gum. Bromelain loading and release were evaluated based on passive diffusion. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to confirm bromelain immobilization in the hydrogel. The final hydrogel formulation had a swelling ratio of 227 % and incorporated 19 % of bromelain from a bromelain solution. Bromelain immobilization in the hydrogel was the result of hydrogen bond formation and was optimal at 4 °C after 4 h of contact. This evidence suggests that bromelain entrapment into a hydrogel is a promising strategy for the development of wound dressings that support the debridement of burns and wounds.
Context-Aware Security Framework for Android

The popularity of mobile devices has increased and therefore they have become major targets for attacks, especially the ones that involve stealing private information. On Android, security policies are approved at install time and can't be changed afterwards. This behavior gives the decision power to the developer, although the user should be in charge of what is happening on their device. Users mostly find a need to change permissions depending on their context (location, network, time of day, etc.). This paper proposes a method of implementing Context-Awareness security policies on Android through an extensible Context-Awareness Security Framework that works with policy files and third party providers of contextual information.
Contemporary Management of Patent Foramen Ovale

In 1877, Cohnheim performed a necropsy on a young woman who had died from a stroke. He hypothesized that a clot passing through the patent foramen ovale must have caused her demise.1 Thus, the first description in medical literature on paradoxical embolism appeared. The foramen ovale is a pivotal feature during intrauterine life. As depicted in Figure 1, the interatrial septum primum on the left side and the interatrial septum secundum on the right side maintain a central hole after having grown from the periphery to the center. This hole is positioned caudally in the septum secundum and cranially in the septum primum, forming a slit valve that opens with pressure from the right. The blood from the umbilical vein entering through the inferior vena cava from the bottom of the right atrium keeps this door open until after birth. From then on, the left atrial pressure, slightly higher than the right atrial pressure, keeps the valve shut. In most individuals, the caudal portion of the septum primum on the left side and the cranial portion of the septum secundum on the right side fuse permanently, closing the foramen. In a minority of the population, however, the fusion does not take place and the foramen remains able to be opened (patent). Figure 1. Center, Frontal aspect of the heart of an individual with a patent foramen ovale. The caudal portion of the interatrial septum is primarily formed by the septum primum (white) on the left side. At the base, it is reinforced by a remnant of the septum secundum (black) on the right side. The caudal portion of the septum primum (*) is thin and occasionally shows aneurysmatic hypermobility (atrial septal aneurysm). The cranial part of the interatrial septum is primarily formed by the septum secundum on the …
Biotypes of Haemophilus influenzae that are associated with noninvasive infections

In this study, we examined the biotypes of Haemophilus influenzae strains associated with noninvasive infections in hospitalized patients. Over an 18-month period, a total of 388 strains were isolated from patients of various ages (neonates to the elderly), and the biotypes of the strains were determined. Strains of biotype II accounted for 48% of the isolates; this was followed by strains of biotypes III and I (26 and 16%, respectively). The remaining 10% of the isolates were made up of strains of biotypes IV, V, VI, and VII. A total of 6% of strains were capsulated. The distribution of biotypes in specimens from the respiratory tract and associated sites was comparable to that obtained in similar investigations, but examination of isolates from neonatal and genital specimens did not support the concept that H. influenzae biotype IV is a major urogenital pathogen. Conflicting results regarding the incidence of certain biotypes in specimens, particularly those from the urogenital tract, may be due to the selection of different subpopulations of patients. Data relating to the specimens were used to evaluate the association between biotype and clinical diagnosis, the presence of other potential bacterial pathogens in the specimens, and the presence of viruses in the specimens. None of the differences in the distribution of biotypes which were examined was statistically significant.
Effectiveness of pseudoephedrine plus acetaminophen for treatment of symptoms attributed to the paranasal sinuses associated with the common cold.

BACKGROUND Little data exist on the cause and treatment of subfacial pain and pressure and other discomfort attributed to the paranasal sinuses that develop early during the course of the common cold. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of the combination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride with acetaminophen for the treatment of early symptoms during colds, which are attributed by the patient to the sinuses. METHODS Four hundred thirty subjects (216, pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen recipients; 214, placebo recipients) with cold symptoms of 48 hours or less who reported overall "sinus" symptoms of at least moderate severity were enrolled in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 2-dose study. Self-reported symptoms were scored (0 to 4, absent to severe) before and at 2 hours after the first and second doses. The 2 primary were measured 2 hours after the second dose were the overall sinus symptom assessment and a weighted composite assessment of sinus pressure, pain, and congestion (sinus symptoms). RESULTS Compared with baseline, 2 hours after the second dose, the mean +/- SEM overall sinus symptom assessment score had decreased by 1.30 +/- 0. 06 in the pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen-treated subjects compared with 0.93 +/- 0.06 in the placebo-treated subjects (P< or = .029). The mean +/- SEM weighted average of sinus symptoms 2 hours after the second dose of study medication had decreased by 1.14 +/- 0.06 in the pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen-treated subjects compared with 0.84 +/- 0.06 in the placebo-treated subjects (P< or = .029). Reductions in similar magnitude were also observed for each of the individual sinus symptoms, and headache and rhinorrhea. Nervousness occurred in 4% of the pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen recipients compared with 0% of placebo recipients (P =.007). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that pseudoephedrine plus acetaminophen is effective for relief of symptoms attributable to the paranasal sinuses that may develop early in the course of a cold. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:979-985
Comparing optimum operation of Pulse Width-Pulse Frequency and Pseudo-Rate modulators in spacecraft attitude control subsystem employing thruster

The Aim of this paper is to verify which modulator will extend the life time of a spacecraft attitude control system utilizing thrusters. For this purpose, the optimal region of operation for Pulse Width-Pulse Frequency modulator and Pseudo-Rate modulator is defined where they are used as a compensator in the control subsystem. The optimal region is where the modulator behavior is close to linear and simultaneously, fuel consumption and thruster activity is at the lowest. Because of nonlinear nature of the modulator, an analytic approach is difficult so as an alternative, system simulations are carried out. Optimal region of parameters is determined through Static and dynamic analysis. Modulators are compared by employing them in a spacecraft model for minimum fuel use once for same parameters and once for their optimal parameters. Results give valuable information about control system fuel usage and reliability and effects of modulators in control effort. Trustworthiness and accuracy of results are increased by employing nonlinear attitude dynamics in system simulations. Results can be utilized for practical designs in order to select proper modulator for different missions.
Differential Expression of CC Chemokines and the CCR5 Receptor in the Pancreas Is Associated with Progression to Type I Diabetes1

We investigated the biological role of CC chemokines in the Th1-mediated pathogenesis of spontaneous type I diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Whereas an elevated ratio of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α):MIP-1β in the pancreas correlated with destructive insulitis and progression to diabetes in NOD mice, a decreased intrapancreatic MIP-1α:MIP-1β ratio was observed in nonobese diabetes-resistant (NOR) mice. IL-4 treatment, which prevents diabetes in NOD mice by polarizing intraislet Th2 responses, decreased CCR5 expression in islets and potentiated a high ratio of MIP-1β and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1): MIP-1α in the pancreas. Furthermore, NOD.MIP-1α−/− mice exhibited reduced destructive insulitis and were protected from diabetes. Neutralization of MIP-1α with specific Abs following transfer of diabetogenic T cells delayed the onset of diabetes in NOD.Scid recipients. These studies illustrate that the temporal expression of certain CC chemokines, particularly MIP-1α, and the CCR5 chemokine receptor in the pancreas is associated with the development of insulitis and spontaneous type I diabetes.
Stopping Criterion for Active Learning with Model Stability

Active learning selectively labels the most informative instances, aiming to reduce the cost of data annotation. While much effort has been devoted to active sampling functions, relatively limited attention has been paid to when the learning process should stop. In this article, we focus on the stopping criterion of active learning and propose a model stability--based criterion, that is, when a model does not change with inclusion of additional training instances. The challenge lies in how to measure the model change without labeling additional instances and training new models. Inspired by the stochastic gradient update rule, we use the gradient of the loss function at each candidate example to measure its effect on model change. We propose to stop active learning when the model change brought by any of the remaining unlabeled examples is lower than a given threshold. We apply the proposed stopping criterion to two popular classifiers: logistic regression (LR) and support vector machines (SVMs). In addition, we theoretically analyze the stability and generalization ability of the model obtained by our stopping criterion. Substantial experiments on various UCI benchmark datasets and ImageNet datasets have demonstrated that the proposed approach is highly effective.
Motivational interviewing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Motivational Interviewing is a well-known, scientifically tested method of counselling clients developed by Miller and Rollnick and viewed as a useful intervention strategy in the treatment of lifestyle problems and disease. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in different areas of disease and to identify factors shaping outcomes. DESIGN OF STUDY A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials using motivational interviewing as the intervention. METHOD After selection criteria a systematic literature search in 16 databases produced 72 randomised controlled trials the first of which was published in 1991. A quality assessment was made with a validated scale. A meta-analysis was performed as a generic inverse variance meta-analysis. RESULTS Meta-analysis showed a significant effect (95% confidence interval) for motivational interviewing for combined effect estimates for body mass index, total blood cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, blood alcohol concentration and standard ethanol content, while combined effect estimates for cigarettes per day and for HbA(1c) were not significant. Motivational interviewing had a significant and clinically relevant effect in approximately three out of four studies, with an equal effect on physiological (72%) and psychological (75%) diseases. Psychologists and physicians obtained an effect in approximately 80% of the studies, while other healthcare providers obtained an effect in 46% of the studies. When using motivational interviewing in brief encounters of 15 minutes, 64% of the studies showed an effect. More than one encounter with the patient ensures the effectiveness of motivational interviewing. CONCLUSION Motivational interviewing in a scientific setting outperforms traditional advice giving in the treatment of a broad range of behavioural problems and diseases. Large-scale studies are now needed to prove that motivational interviewing can be implemented into daily clinical work in primary and secondary health care.
BIRD SOUND RECOGNITION FOR SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

This paper deals with recognizing the species of the bird from the sound signal recorded from the bird’s environment. First, the actual part of the signal input that corresponds to the bird sound is selected and the remaining part of the signal is assumed to be silence and removed. The resulting signal contains the bird sound from start to end along with some noise from the surroundings. These noises are eliminated and the features of the actual sound are extracted by using Fast Fourier Transforms(FFT). The features are used to form a model that is compared with already existing models for various bird sounds. The model that matches with the highest probability is chosen and the bird species is determined from it.