Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Association Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premature Carotid Atherosclerosis in Middle-Aged Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder characterized by obesity, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance. An adverse lipid profile has also been observed in PCOS-affected women, suggesting that these individuals may be at increased risk for coronary heart disease at a young age. The objective of the present study was to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis among women with PCOS and age-matched control subjects. A total of 125 white PCOS cases and 142 controls, aged ≥30 years were recruited. Collection of baseline sociodemographic data, reproductive hormone levels, and cardiovascular risk factors was conducted from 1992 to 1994. During follow-up (1996 to 1999), these women underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries for the evaluation of carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and the prevalence of plaque. A significant difference was observed in the distribution of carotid plaque among PCOS cases compared with controls: 7.2% (9 of 125) of PCOS cases had a plaque index of ≥3 compared with 0.7% (1 of 142) of similarly aged controls (P =0.05). Overall and in the group aged 30 to 44 years, no difference was noted in mean carotid IMT between PCOS cases and controls. Among women aged ≥45 years, PCOS cases had significantly greater mean IMT than did control women (0.78±0.03 versus 0.70±0.01 mm, P =0.005). This difference remained significant after adjustment for age and BMI (P <0.05). These results suggest that (1) lifelong exposure to an adverse cardiovascular risk profile in women with PCOS may lead to premature atherosclerosis, and (2) the PCOS-IMT association is explained in part by weight and fat distribution and associated risk factors. There may be an independent effect of PCOS unexplained by the above variables that is related to the hormonal dysregulation of this condition.
Self‐healing strategies among schizophrenics: attempts at compensation for basic disorders

ABSTRACT– New experimental findings show that schizophrenics, as well as some of their non‐schizophrenic relatives, manifest basic cognitive disorders defined in terms of variables from the field of experimental psychology. These basic disorders can be regarded as markers ‐ if not, indeed, as psychological manifestations ‐ of vulnerability to schizophrenia. They can be associated with subjectively experienced forms of non‐clinically manifest impairments in psychological functioning. It was therefore hypothesised that schizophrenics, as well as non‐schizophrenic subjects vulnerable to schizophrenia, will, in the course of learning processes, develop compensatory efforts which may be more or less effective. It is assumed that effective efforts of this kind will take on special significance in stress situations which would tend to elicit the occurrence of a schizophrenic episode. Effective efforts at compensation for basic disorders should be able to act as a ‘buffer’ against negative stressor effects (moderator function), thus reducing the danger of a psychotic breakdown. These compensation efforts were studied in 40 inpatients in remission after an acute schizophrenic episode. It was found that significant correlations exist between the extent of subjectively experienced basic disorders and the number and kind of conscious compensation attempts. Although the findings to date are of a preliminary and purely descriptive nature they would seem to justify further research.
The importance of the occipitocervical area in patients with ankylosing spondylitis analysis of a cohort of 86 cervical fractures in surgically treated patients

Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objective: The effect of C0-C1-C2 cervical ankylosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not documented. The objective of this study is to describe the radiological characteristics of the occipitocervical junction in patients with AS operated for a cervical fracture and to correlate them with their clinical evolution. Materials and Methods: Analysis of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated in a single institution of a cervical vertebral fracture between 2007 and 2014 who were prospectively followed through the SWESPINE registry. The integrity of the C0–C1–C2 joints was determined and classified into fused and nonfused joints. By determining the angle between C0–C1 and C1–C2 joints in the coronal view of the computed tomography scan (X-angle), the progressive degeneration of these joints was described. Intra- and inter-observer reliability of this test was determined. The instruments of health-related quality of life (QOL) and disability were EQ5D and Oswestry disability index (ODI), respectively. Results: A total of 86 patients with AS treated surgically for cervical fracture had complete facet ankylosis between C3 and T1 due to their pathology. Mean age 69.2 years (standard deviation [SD]: 11.7). The most common level of fracture was in C5–C6. In 24 patients, the C0–C1 joint was fused, and in 15 patients, C1–C2 joint was fused. The intra- and inter-class reliabilities for X-angle measurement were very high (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.94; 0.92). The mean X-angle was 125° (SD: 12) in nonfused patients and 136° (SD: 14) in fused patients (P < 0.001). There were no differences in QOL and disability at 2 years between the two groups: EQ5D-index of 0.54 and 0.55 (P = 0.5), ODI of 26.4 and 24, (P = 0.35) respectively. Conclusions: X-angle is a reliable measure for joint integrity C0–C1–C2 in patients with AS. Total cervical ankylosis including the C0-C1-C2 segments is not related to poorer QOL and disability in these patients.
Siblings in the families of schizophrenics.

Fifty-seven siblings were less entangled in the family emotional life than 30 schizophrenic patients in the same families. Level of illness in siblings was associated with the degree of family entanglement. It appears, however, that the percentage of these siblings at various levels of illness may not differ from proportions to be found among young persons in the general population. No correlation could be found between the patient's rank order of health and that of siblings in the same family. The siblings did not fit a single pattern in personality, but fell into several clusters which were characterized by different survival styles within the family of origin.
Comparison of models for genetic evaluation of scrotal circumference in crossbred bulls.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including concomitant body weight and(or) a random dam effect in genetic evaluation models on variance component estimates and standard error of prediction for scrotal circumference (SC) at 6, 8, 10, and 12 mo. Variance components and average standard errors of prediction were compared under models differing in either the number of related traits (M11 [SC], M12 [SC and BW]) or an uncorrelated random dam effect (M21 [SC], M22 [SC and BW]) using records on 1,547 bull calves. In a single-trait model (M11), estimates of direct heritabilities (h2a) for SC were . 45, . 49, . 57, and . 66 at 6, 8, 10, and 12 mo, respectively. In a two-trait model (M12), h2a were similar to those in M11 model. In M21, h2a for SC were . 37, . 42, . 54, and . 65, whereas the proportions of phenotypic variance due to dams (d2) were . 12, . 11, . 04, and . 02 at 6, 8, 10, and 12 mo, respectively. Similarly, in M22, h2a for SC were . 36, . 44, . 56, and . 65 and d2 were . 13, . 10, . 02, and . 02. Standard errors of prediction for SC EBV from M22 were reduced by 2.86, 1.21, 3.02, and 1.99% relative to M21 and by 6.45, 2.70, 2.72, and 1.21% relative to M11 at 6, 8, 10, and 12 mo, respectively. Standard errors of prediction for SC EBV from M12 were reduced by . 06, . 73, 1.56, and . 87% relative to M11 at 6, 8, 10, and 12 mo, respectively. The importance of the dam effect decreased with age for both SC and BW. These results demonstrate that a two-trait (SC and BW) animal model would result in more accurate evaluations of yearling SC EBV in beef cattle than a single-trait model.
d-band excitations in II-VI semiconductors: A broken-symmetry approach to the core hole.

Local-density approximation (LDA) band-structure calculations place the 3{ital d} band of zinc-blende ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe, and ZnTe at 5.4, 6.4, 6.8, and 7.5 eV below the valence-band maximum (VBM), while photoemission measurements place them at 7.8, 9.0, 9.4, and 9.8 eV below the VBM, respectively. We show that this {similar_to}3-eV LDA error can be accounted for using a ``broken symmetry`` band-structure approach. In this approach, a {ital d} core hole is placed in an impuritylike splitoff {ital d} subband resulting from the creation of the hole on a {ital particular} Zn sublattice. Self-consistent solutions to such a constrained LDA problem reveal that the final hole state is sufficiently localized to trigger a self-interaction correction of 3--4 eV, needed to explain the discrepancy with experiment. This 3--4 eV shift is reduced, by screening effects, from the 9.7-eV value in a free Zn atom. Finally, we calculated the binding energy {ital E}{sub Mn} for Mn 3{ital d} states in ZnTe:Mn and the effective Coulomb interaction parameter {ital U}{sub eff}. Significant improvements over the results of local-spin-density calculations were found. The calculated {ital E}{sub Mn}={ital E}{sub VBM}{minus}3.93 eV and {ital U}{sub eff}=6.85 eV are in good agreement with experiments.
Les données en question

Au cœur de la connaissance et de l'information, les donnees ont peu a peu pris une importance qui nous depasse. Mais qu'entend-on exactement par donnees ? Quels sont les enjeux autour de leur gestion ou de leur analyse ? Quels impacts sur la societe ?
Diversity of protein–protein interactions

In this review, we discuss the structural and functional diversity of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) based primarily on protein families for which three‐dimensional structural data are available. PPIs play diverse roles in biology and differ based on the composition, affinity and whether the association is permanent or transient. In vivo, the protomer's localization, concentration and local environment can affect the interaction between protomers and are vital to control the composition and oligomeric state of protein complexes. Since a change in quaternary state is often coupled with biological function or activity, transient PPIs are important biological regulators. Structural characteristics of different types of PPIs are discussed and related to their physiological function, specificity and evolution.
Data recycling: using existing databases to increase research capacity in speech-language development and disorders.

PURPOSE This clinical forum was organized to provide a means for informing the research and clinical communities of one mechanism through which research capacity might be enhanced within the field of speech-language pathology. Specifically, forum authors describe the process of conducting secondary analyses of extant databases to answer questions of relevance to speech and language development and disorders. METHOD This prologue defines the concept of secondary analysis of databases and provides an overview of each of the articles that make up the forum. CONCLUSION Researchers invested in addressing basic and applied problems of relevance to speech and language services in schools can make use of a variety of extant databases to increase research capacity.
A High-Performance VLSI Architecture for Intra Prediction and Mode Decision in H.264/AVC Video Encoding

The authors propose a high-performance hardware accelerator for intra prediction and mode decision in H.264/AVC video encoding. They use two intra prediction units to increase the performance. Taking advantage of function similarity and data reuse, the authors successfully reduce the hardware cost of the intra prediction units. Based on a modified mode decision algorithm, the design can deliver almost the same video quality as the reference software. The authors implemented the proposed architecture in Verilog and synthesized it targeting towards a TSMC 0.13mum CMOS cell library. Running at 75MHz, the 36K-gate circuit is capable of realtime encoding 720p HD (1280times720) video sequences at 30 frames per second (fps)
Built to bite: cranial design and function in the wrinkle‐faced bat

One of the major goals of evolutionary biology is to explain phenotypic diversity and understand the limits imposed by those phenotypes. The cranial morphology of the wrinkle-faced bat Centurio senex (Family Phyllostomidae) is bizarre and enigmatic. Its extremely short and wide skull consistently emerges as an outlier in morphological studies and many researchers have speculated about its function. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that the unique skull morphology of Centurio is associated with the ability to generate high bite forces and/or high bite forces at wide gapes. We accomplish this by comparing bite force data gathered in the field and estimates of gape limitations gathered from museum specimens. We also examine the possibility that Centurio uses unique feeding behaviors that may impose unique loading regimes on the facial skeleton. We found that relative to head size, Centurio generates the strongest bites known for any fruit-eating phyllostomid bat, but that its ability to generate high bite forces at wide gape angles is likely limited. We also propose that its exceptionally strong bite indicates the ability to consume hard food items when other resources are limited, and that these ‘resource bottlenecks’ may have imposed strong selective pressure on its skull morphology. Behavioral data indicate that Centurio exhibits a unique reliance on unilateral biting (loading) during feeding. Based on data summarizing bite force, estimates of gape ability and feeding behavior, we suggest that Centurio’s exceptionally short and wide skull reflects adaptations for high bite forces and repeated unilateral loading of the facial skeleton during feeding.
Filtering for Discrete-Time Switched Fuzzy Systems With Quantization

The paper is concerned with the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$l_2$</tex-math></inline-formula>–<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$l_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> filtering design problems for discrete-time nonlinear switched systems with quantized measurements using the Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model. The systems under consideration inherently combine features of the switched hybrid systems and the T–S fuzzy systems. The sector bound approach is employed to deal with quantization effects. Based on the fuzzy-basis-dependent Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions are established such that the filtering error system is stochastically stable and a prescribed noise attenuation level in an <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> or <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$l_2$</tex-math></inline-formula>–<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$l_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> sense is achieved. Both numerical and practical examples are provided to show the feasibility and efficiency of the design schemes.
Unsuspected rejection episodes on routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsy post‐heart transplant in paediatric patients

Abstract: The use of routine endomyocardial biopsies post‐heart transplant in children remains controversial. It is generally accepted as the gold standard for detecting rejection, but details of the surveillance protocol, such as number and timing of biopsies, remain uncertain, with suggestions that recent advances in immunosuppressant therapy have obviated the need to perform surveillance biopsies. We retrospectively analysed results of endomyocardial biopsies performed in our unit since the introduction of a policy of three routine biopsies in the first six months post‐transplantation. We specifically examined only routine surveillance biopsies in order to determine whether clinically unsuspected cases of rejection were identified. Between January 2002 and April 2006, 63 children completed three biopsies in the first six months post‐transplant. Of 189 surveillance endomyocardial biopsies, 19 (10%) patients showed significant, grade III or above, rejection. One patient had two episodes of rejection. In only one case the child was haemodynamically unstable, four cases were mildly unwell, and 14 of 19 (74%) cases demonstrated no cardiac symptoms. Four of eight cases treated with sirolimus for some part of their post‐transplant course had an episode of rejection and of 54 tacrolimus‐treated patients, 13 had an episode of asymptomatic rejection detected. One of the seven infants had significant episode of rejection. Asymptomatic, clinically significant rejection is detected in about 10% of biopsies overall using a three‐biopsy protocol in the first six months after paediatric heart transplantation, and occurs in 24% of tacrolimus‐treated patients. More frequent surveillance appears needed in children treated with sirolimus, but less frequent surveillance may be possible in infants.
Observations on the Butchering Technique of some Aboriginal Peoples Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6

This study is based on the bison, deer, and antelope bone from a fortified earth lodge village (32ME15) in the Garrison Reservoir Area. The site was excavated by River Basin Survey parties in 1950 and 1951, under the supervision of G. Ellis Burcaw and Donald D. Hartle respectively. The animal bone from this site is of particular interest because it permits a comparison to be made between the methods used on the smaller food animals and those used on the bison. In a previous study an attempt was made to compare the methods used on antelope and on bison, but the methods were those of very different peoples who were widely separated both geographically and temporally and the differences could as easily have been due to culture as well as the size of the game. Since this material is from a single component site, any difference in technique can safely be attributed to the size of the game.
Vision perceptual based rate control algorithm for multi-view video coding

Multi-view video coding technique is widely applied on 3D technology. The view number is increased to improve the quality of 3D viewing experience. However, the data storage requirement is very huge for the view number incensement. The rate control is very important issue to trade off the quality and bit-rate. This paper proposes a rate control method which utilizes Human Visual System (HVS) to distribute the bit-rate in the difference vision perceptual region. The interesting area for 3D viewing experience is determined to arrange appropriate quality and bit-rate on multi-view video coding. In the same bit-rate coded video bitstream, the interesting region in the reconstructed image by the proposed algorithm has better image quality then by the JMVC.
Hybrid controlled soft-switching half-bridge converter in DCM operation with voltage doubler rectifier for battery charge application

This paper proposes a PFM+PWM hybrid controlled soft-switching half-bridge converter which has both benefit of conventional half-bridge converter and LLC converter. Generally, conventional half-bridge converter has good constant current characteristic due to PWM control, however it has some drawbacks of (1) primary side switches and secondary side diodes operate under hard switching, (2) two magnetic components. Meanwhile, the LLC resonant converter has the benefit of achieving ZVS and ZCS, however it can't realize a constant current (CC) characteristic because of resonant fashion. In order to achieve soft-switching and CC characteristic using half-bridge converter, a DCM operation are employed, which can be controlled by PWM+PFM Hybrid Control. In this paper the operating characteristics of the proposed half-bridge converter are experimentally verified. The experimental results for 48Vin, 16Vo, 80W board achieves 90% efficiency and validated this method is useful practically.
Adenosine A1 Receptor-mediated Modulation of Dopamine D1 Receptors in Stably Cotransfected Fibroblast Cells*

The antagonistic interactions between adenosine A1 and dopamine D1 receptors were studied in a mouse Ltk− cell line stably cotransfected with human adenosine A1 receptor and dopamine D1 receptor cDNAs. In membrane preparations, both the adenosine A1receptor agonist N 6-cyclopentyladenosine and the GTP analogue guanyl-5′-yl imidodiphospate induced a decrease in the proportion of dopamine D1 receptors in a high affinity state. In the cotransfected cells, the adenosine A1 agonist induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of dopamine-induced cAMP accumulation. Blockade of adenosine A1 receptor signal transduction with the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine or with pertussis toxin pretreatment increased both basal and dopamine-stimulated cAMP levels, indicating the existence of tonic adenosine A1 receptor activation. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin also counteracted the effects of low concentrations of the A1 agonist on D1 receptor-agonist binding. The results suggest that adenosine A1 receptors antagonistically modulate dopamine D1 receptors at the level of receptor binding and the generation of second messengers.
Towards the reuse of lingware systems: a proposed approach with a practical experiment

We are going to present in this document a generic approach for lingware systems reuse. This approach is based on reverse engineering technique in order to wrap up an existing lingware system with web services. This approach permits the reuse of lingware systems regardless of programming languages, development environments and the structures of linguistic resources. In order to preserve the interoperability between the reused lingware systems, the proposed approach performs the unification and the standardization of exchanged linguistic data using the Natural Language Processing (NLP) standards and consensus. Doing so, we facilitate the integration and the composition of lingware services in order to create a new application that treats several linguistic levels. In order to consolidate the given approach, we developed the LIngware Reuse Environment (LIRE). A practical experiment was carried out using LIRE environment on an automatic application summary of Arabic texts.
Stiffness Matrix Analysis of Six-Revolute Serial Manipulator

This paper presents a simple procedure that can be used to determine the stiffness matrix of 6R serial manipulator in selected points of the work space with joint stiffness coefficients taking into account. Elastokinematical model for the robot manipulator FANUC S-420F was considered as spatial and serial kinematical chain composed of six rigid links, connected by ideal revolute joint (without clearances and deformable elements), with torsion elasticity of the joint drive system (relative torsion deformations are proportional to acted torques) taking into account. Assumed model is used for displacement analysis of the end-effector for a given applied force in quasi-static condition. The analysis results are presented as Cartesian stiffness matrix of studied manipulator.