Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Lumbar Lordosis and Radiologic Variables and Lumbar Lordosis and Clinical Variables in Elderly, African-American Women

Several authors have hypothesized that there is a link between lumbar lordosis and low back pain. These relationships have not been previously described in a sample consisting exclusively of elderly, African-American women. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between lumbar lordosis and radiologic variables and lumbar lordosis and clinical variables in elderly, African-American women. A total of 475 African-American women enrolled in the multicenter Study of Osteoporotic Fractures participated in this ancillary, cross-sectional, study of lumbar lordosis. These women received lumbar spine radiographs and completed a questionnaire on low back pain and its impact on their daily lives. Lumbar lordosis tertiles were created based on radiographic measurements. Comparisons were made between the tertiles for differences in radiologic and clinical variables. Significant differences (p < 0.0025) were observed between the lordosis tertiles and the presence of spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc space, and vertebral wedging. No significant differences were observed between the lordosis tertiles for the occurrence of low back pain, symptoms associated with low back pain, and disability experienced from low back pain. The degree of lumbar lordosis was associated with radiologic variables but was not associated with symptoms or decreased function from low back pain. These findings question the clinical utility of the lumbar lordosis measurement in elderly, African-American women.
Identification of BIME as a Subunit of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex

The initiation of anaphase and exit from mitosis require the activation of a proteolytic system that ubiquitinates and degrades cyclin B. The regulated component of this system is a large ubiquitin ligase complex, termed the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) or cyclosome. Purified Xenopus laevis APC was found to be composed of eight major subunits, at least four of which became phosphorylated in mitosis. In addition to CDC27, CDC16, and CDC23, APC contained a homolog of Aspergillus nidulans BIME, a protein essential for anaphase. Because mutation of bimE can bypass the interphase arrest induced by either nimA mutation or unreplicated DNA, it appears that ubiquitination catalyzed by APC may also negatively regulate entry into mitosis.
DRIVERS OF TERRORISM IN PAKISTAN:An Evidence through Institutional Prism

Terrorism is a highly debated issue in developing countries like Pakistan. This study aims to relate the phenomenon with institutional framework of any economy. These institutions are actually responsible for behavior of people towards such activities. For this purpose, the role of social institutions through civil rights provision, specifically the political and economic institutions have been explored with respect to number of terrorist activities in Pakistan. Both, the long-run and short-run nexus among the desired variables have been developed because it is believed that institutions mostly show their effect in the long-run. Time span of the data used is 1975-2013. The findings prove that for all types of institutions, there exists both the long-run and long-run-relationship but in short-run social institutions it seems to be more responsible for causing this critical issue. The results show that about 89 per cent convergence towards equilibrium takes place (per annum) through these variables.
The molecular basis of retinotectal topography

Over 50 years have passed since Roger Sperry formulated a simple model of how visual space, as seen by the retina, can be projected onto the brain in a two‐dimensional, topographic map during development. Sperry posited a set of two orthogonal gradients in the retina that gives each cell a positional identity. He further suggested that these molecules could be used to match up with complementary gradients in the target field of the retinal projection, the tectum. While some investigators hold that the existence of such molecules may not be necessary to establish retinotectal maps, recent work has identified several cell surface proteins whose distributions are of the type predicted by Sperry. An unexpected twist comes from culture assays demonstrating that inhibitory activities on tectal membranes can guide the growth of processes from retinal neurons. Moreover, the expression patterns of several enzymes and three transcription factors suggest that these proteins are candidates for regulatory agents in the determination of cell position in the retina. In addition, results from perturbation experiments support the candidacy of two of the enzymes, and a new mutant screen has uncovered several as yet unidentified genes that are required for establishment of the proper retinotectal map. A number of these results were presented at a recent meeting on neurospecificity held in Cargese, Corsica and sponsored by NATO and NSF.
HLAmatchmaker: a molecularly based algorithm for histocompatibility determination. IV. An alternative strategy to increas the number of compatible donors for highly sensitized patients1

Background. HLAMatchmaker is a computer algorithm that determines human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility at the level of polymorphic amino acid triplets in antibody-accessible sequence positions. Recent studies have shown that HLA-DR–matched kidney transplant recipients with zero to two triplet mismatches had almost identical graft survival rates as those with zero HLA-A,B,DR antigen mismatches. This report describes how HLAMatchmaker can be used to identify more compatible donors for highly sensitized patients. Methods. The HLAMatchmaker program was used to calculate the probability of finding a donor (PFD) with zero, one, or two triplet mismatches for 54 highly sensitized patients waiting for a kidney transplant and having panel reactive antibody (PRA) values greater than 85% and 50 randomly selected nonsensitized patients with PRA values less than 3%. Results. There was a wide variability for PFD values for the two patient cohorts. If only donors with zero HLA-A,B mismatches were deemed acceptable for recipients, the median PFD of a zero-antigen mismatch was 0.046% for nonsensitized patients and 0.009% for highly sensitized patients (P =0.007). Half of the highly sensitized patients had a PFD below 0.01%, or fewer than 1 in 10,000 donors would have zero antigen mismatches. Application of HLAMatchmaker identified additional HLA antigens with zero-triplet mismatches for 27 patients, resulting in a 1.8-fold increase in PFD. Considering additional antigens with one-triplet or two-triplet mismatches increased the PFD by an additional 3.8-fold and 13.7-fold, respectively. Acceptable antigen mismatches for 37 of the 54 highly sensitized patients were identified by consistently negative reactions in serum screens, and their addition resulted in a 12.7-fold increase of the PFD to a median of 0.141%. Applying these acceptable antigens to the HLAMatchmaker algorithm identified additional antigens with zero or acceptable triplet mismatches and their inclusion increased the PFD by 3.3-fold to 0.347%. Conclusions. HLAMatchmaker offers a valuable strategy for identifying more suitably HLA-matched donors and has the potential for alleviating the problem of accumulation of highly sensitized patients on the transplant waiting list.
Effects of sleep on the tonic drive to respiratory muscle and the threshold for rhythm generation in the dog.

1. The present study was designed to determine the effect of sleep on the tonic output to respiratory muscle and on the level of chemical respiratory stimulation required to produce rhythmic respiratory output. 2. Chronically implanted electrodes recorded expiratory (triangularis sterni) and inspiratory (diaphragm and parasternal intercostal) electromyographic (EMG) activities in three trained dogs during wakefulness and sleep. The dogs were mechanically hyperventilated via an endotracheal tube inserted into a permanent tracheostomy. During the studies, a cold block of the cervical vagus nerves was maintained to avoid the complicating effects of vagal inputs on respiratory drive and rhythm. 3. During wakefulness, steady‐state hypocapnia (partial pressure of CO2, PCO2 = 30 mmHg) abolished inspiratory EMG activity, resulting in apnoea, but the expiratory muscle became tonically active. Compared to wakefulness, the level of the tonic expiratory EMG activity was decreased in non‐REM (non‐rapid eye movement) sleep (median decrease = 34%, P = 0.005) and was further decreased in REM sleep (median decrease = 78%, P < 0.0001). During REM sleep, the tonic expiratory EMG activity was highly variable (mean coefficient of variation = 39% compared to 7% awake, P < 0.0001) and in some periods of REM, bursts of inspiratory EMG activity and active breathing movements were observed despite the presence of hypocapnia. 4. During constant mechanical hyperventilation, progressive increases in arterial PCO2 (in hyperoxia) were produced by rebreathing. Measurement of the CO2 threshold for the onset of spontaneous breathing showed that this threshold was not different between wakefulness and non‐REM sleep (mean difference = 0.1 mmHg from paired observations, 95% confidence interval for the difference = ‐1.0 to +1.1 mmHg, P = 0.898). 5. The results show that sleep reduces the tonic output to respiratory muscles but does not increase the CO2 threshold for the generation of rhythmic respiratory output. These observations suggest that changes in the tonic drives to the respiratory motoneurones may be a principal mechanism by which changes in sleep‐wake states produce changes in respiratory output.
Distinct Mechanisms for Regulating the Tumor Suppressor and Antiapoptotic Functions of Rb*

The retinoblastoma protein, Rb, suppresses tumorigenesis by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting senescence and differentiation. Paradoxically, Rb also inhibits apoptosis, which would seem to oppose its tumor suppressor function. Further, most human cancer cells inactivate Rb by hyperphosphorylation and demonstrate increased proliferative capacity but not high levels of apoptosis. As a potential explanation for these findings, we show here that the tumor suppressor and antiapoptotic functions of Rb are regulated by distinct phosphorylation events. Phosphorylation of sites in the C terminus occurs efficiently every cell cycle and regulates proliferation. Phosphorylation of Ser567 is inefficient and does not occur during the normal cell cycle. However, high cyclin-dependent kinase activity promotes phosphorylation of Ser567 by inducing an intramolecular interaction that leads to release of E2F, degradation of Rb, and susceptibility to apoptosis. Thus, phosphorylation of Ser567 may limit excessive proliferation by triggering cell death under hyperproliferative conditions. These findings suggest that the antiproliferative and antiapoptotic activities of Rb may represent complementary functions that work in concert to maintain the proliferation rate of cells within certain limits. As a survival strategy, some cancer cells may exploit this dual role of Rb by phosphorylating sites that regulate tumor suppression but avoiding phosphorylation of Ser567 and consequent apoptotic stimulus.
PBODL : Parallel Bayesian Online Deep Learning for Click-Through Rate Prediction in Tencent Advertising System

We describe a parallel bayesian online deep learning framework (PBODL) for click-through rate (CTR) prediction within today's Tencent advertising system, which provides quick and accurate learning of user preferences. We first explain the framework with a deep probit regression model, which is trained with probabilistic back-propagation in the mode of assumed Gaussian density filtering. Then we extend the model family to a variety of bayesian online models with increasing feature embedding capabilities, such as Sparse-MLP, FM-MLP and FFM-MLP. Finally, we implement a parallel training system based on a stream computing infrastructure and parameter servers. Experiments with public available datasets and Tencent industrial datasets show that models within our framework perform better than several common online models, such as AdPredictor, FTRL-Proximal and MatchBox. Online A/B test within Tencent advertising system further proves that our framework could achieve CTR and CPM lift by learning more quickly and accurately.
Effect of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) in binding glucose oxidase for electro-enzymatic glucose sensor with gold electrodes

In this paper, a new approach to improve long term stability of electro-enzymatic glucose sensors is presented. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are employed for surface treatment of the gold electrodes to improve adhesion. Three types of functional alkylthiols, namely 11-amino-1-undecanethiol hydrochloride, 1-hexadecanethiol (1- hexadecanthiol) and 1,9-nonanedithiol, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) are investigated in our study. Alkylhiols are used for surface treatment of gold electrodes and BSA is mixed in enzyme (glucose oxidase) solution to realize the proposed sensors. Furthermore, gold is investigated as an electrode material. Both reference and active electrodes are fabricated using only gold. The current response of the modified sensors showed long term stability. However, the unmodified sensors showed very short term stability because glucose oxidase does not adhere well to the electrodes. The proposed modified sensors also show lower drift than the unmodified sensors without surface treatment and BSA.
Differential Effects of Meal Challenges on Cognition, Metabolism, and Biomarkers for Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 Carriers and Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND High intake of saturated fat (SF) and glycemic index (GI) foods is a risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Meal challenges may elucidate mechanisms that contribute to this risk, enabling development of targeted interventions. OBJECTIVE To assess cognitive and metabolic changes after a meal high in SF and GI calories (HIGH) versus a meal low in these macronutrients (LOW) in older adults with and without cognitive impairment, and with and without the apolipoprotein E4 risk factor. METHODS 46 adults with either cognitive impairment (CI) or normal cognition (NC) ingested a LOW (25% total fat, 7% SF, GI <55) and a HIGH meal (50% total fat, 25% SF, GI >70) in a blinded random fashion. Participants then underwent cognitive testing and blood sampling for metabolic and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Spearman correlations. RESULTS E4-adults with NC demonstrated lower delayed memory scores after the HIGH compared to the LOW meal, whereas normal E4+ and CI E4- groups had higher scores after the HIGH meal (ANOVA p = 0.03). These findings were associated with meal-induced changes in glucose (p = 0.05), insulin (p = 0.004), triglycerides (p < 0.01), and plasma Aβ42 (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data suggest that cognitive performance of adults without CI may worsen following high SF and sugar meals, whereas adults with CI or those at risk for CI due to E4 status may benefit acutely from such meals. Furthermore, plasma Aβ was affected by meal type, suggesting a relationship between metabolic response and amyloid regulation.
Fenofibrate induces HDL-associated PAF-AH but attenuates enzyme activity associated with apoB-containing lipoproteins Published, JLR Papers in Press, March 1, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200452-JLR200

Human plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is an enzyme associated mainly with the apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins and primarily with LDL. A small proportion of enzymatic activity is also associated with HDL. Plasma paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an esterase exclusively associated with HDL. The effect of fenofibrate on PAF-AH and PON1 activities in patients with dyslipidemias of Types IIA, IIB, and IV were studied. Fenofibrate reduced plasma PAF-AH activity in all patient groups. In Type IIA patients, this reduction was mainly due to a fall in enzyme activity associated with the dense LDL subspecies, whereas in Type IIB and Type IV patients, it was due to the decrease in PAF-AH activity associated with both the VLDL+IDL and dense LDL subspecies. Drug therapy in Type IIB and Type IV patients significantly increased the HDL-associated PAF-AH activity due to the increase in enzyme activity associated with the HDL-3c subfraction. Fenofibrate did not affect serum PON1 activities toward paraoxon and phenylacetate in either patient group. The fenofibrate-induced elevation of HDL-associated PAF-AH activity in dyslipidemic patients of Type IIB and Type IV, as well as the reduction in enzyme activity associated with atherogenic apoB-containing lipoproteins in all patient groups, may represent a new and important antiatherogenic effect of this potent lipid-modulating agent.
Prevalence of 25(OH) Vitamin D Insufficiency and Deficiency in Pediatric Patients on Chronic Dialysis

♦ Background: 25(OH) Vitamin D [25(OH)D] is the major circulating form of vitamin D and the parameter used to reflect vitamin D status. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are likely to have low levels of 25(OH)D, and recent observations have linked suboptimal vitamin D status with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, inflammation, insulin resistance, and the rate of progression of renal insufficiency. Little is known about the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric patients with stage 5 CKD on chronic dialysis. ♦ Objectives: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal vitamin D status in children on chronic dialysis. ♦ Methods: Serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were evaluated in 59 pediatric patients on chronic dialysis. Weekly renal Kt/V and creatinine clearance (CCr) were evaluated as parameters reflecting residual renal function. In these patients, serum 25(OH)D concentrations less than 10 ng/mL were considered deficiency and concentrations of 10 - 30 ng/mL were considered insufficiency. ♦ Results: Of the 59 pediatric patients (mean age: 14.4 ± 5.1 years), 51 (86.4%) were on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 8 (13.6%) were on hemodialysis. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 32.2% of the patients (n = 19), and vitamin D insufficiency, in 50.8% (n = 30). Patients with serum 25(OH)D concentrations less than 30 ng/mL were older than those with normal 25(OH)D concentrations (15.4 ± 4.5 years vs 9.2 ± 5.1 years, p = 0.000). Patients with 25(OH) D concentrations less than 30 ng/mL had higher PTH levels than did those with normal 25(OH)D concentrations (349.5 ± 318.3 pg/mL vs 142.5 ± 116.9 pg/mL, p = 0.001). In the univariate analysis, there was no correlation between serum 25(OH)D and serum 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.242, p = 0.064), calcium (r = 0.108, p = 0.415), phosphorus (r = -0.050, p = 0.706), or body mass index (r = -0.046, p = 0.729). In PD patients, serum 25(OH)D was positively correlated with weekly renal Kt/V (r = 0.385, p = 0.005) and CCr (r = 0.443, p = 0.001). In addition, serum 25(OH)D and serum albumin were positively correlated (r = 0.297, p = 0.035) in the PD patients. ♦ Conclusions: The present study found a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency in children on chronic dialysis. Serum 25(OH)D was associated with residual renal function in children on PD. Further studies to evaluate the consequences of vitamin D deficiency and the impact of therapeutic interventions are needed in pediatric CKD patients.
How Does Addressing Patient’s Defenses Help to Repair Alliance Ruptures in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Interpreting or addressing defenses is an important aspect of psychoanalytic technique. Previous research has shown that therapist addressing defenses (TADs) can produce a positive effect on alliance. The potential value of TADs during the process of alliance rupture and resolution has not yet been documented. We selected patients (n = 17) undertaking a short-term dynamic psychotherapy in which the therapeutic alliance, measured with the Helping Alliance Questionnaire and monitored after each session, showed a pattern of rupture and resolution. Two control sessions (5 and 15) were also selected. Presence of TADs was examined in each therapist interpretation. Compared with control sessions, rupture sessions were characterized by fewer TADs and especially fewer TADs addressing specifically intermediate—essentially neurotic—defenses. Resolution sessions were characterized by more TADs addressing specifically intermediate defenses. This confirms the link between therapist technique and alliance process in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
A process-oriented performance and risk management workbench

A performance and risk management solution, either manual or based on documented business processes, is unable to offer any real benefits for enterprise scale business processes. In this paper, we describe our workbench, which utilizes the readily available data sources within organizations to support a tool supported performance and risk management. We have developed process extractors that provide the accurate business process information to the workbench by processing the logs. The hardware and software level resources, needed to support the business process, and their dependencies are extracted from the Context Model, developed in the TIMBUS project. Our fine grained process-oriented approach enables it to address all risks associated with resources in a systematic way leading to an optimal business process deployment landscape ensuring business continuity.
Relationship between Work-Life Balance and Organizational Commitment: (A Case Study of Student-Workers of the Evening School Programme at Secretaryship and Management Department, Accra Polytechnic)

The quest for work-life balance practices is being championed by many organizations in Ghana. It has also received a lot of attention in the field of research. This has come about as a result of awakenings for equilibrium between employees’ work-life, career ambition and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between work-life balance and organizational commitment among student-workers in the department of Secretaryship and Management Studies of Accra Polytechnic. To achieve this aim, the researchers used a survey design which included research design (questionnaire) and sampling method (random). twenty respondents were selected from first year. Questionnaire and interviews were some of the data collection methods used by the researchers. Tables and charts were used to analyze the data collected. The result of the study showed that there is some significant relationship between work-life balance and organizational commitment among student-workers at the Department of Secretaryship and Management Studies, Accra Polytechnic. Student-workers are employees from different organizations who have taken advantage of Accra Polytechnic’s evening programmes to further their education. Hence, they are combining work, education and family life.The research was concluded with recommendations to help improve the balance further by introducing strategies like telecommuting, a compressed workweek, job sharing and encourage student- workers to take their vacations, more institutional support by way of retreat and seminars to enlighten staff on how to reduce stress in their work- life, making the job content less stressful, student-workers must practice proper time management in order to maximize the work hours at their disposal and to opt for studying on distance, residential or online courses to reduce the stress they go through on a regular or evening school programme, this the researchers believe would ensure a high organizational commitment of the student-workers to their organization. Keywords: Work-life balance, Organizational commitment, Student-workers, Education