Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated sympathetic vasomotor outflow in response to increased inspiratory muscle activity during exercise is less in young women compared with men

What is the central question of this study? Premenopausal women have an attenuated inspiratory muscle metaboreflex‐induced increase in arterial blood pressure compared with men. It is unclear whether sympathetic vasomotor outflow during dynamic exercise with increased inspiratory muscle activation is less in young women than in men. What is the main finding and its importance? The magnitude of increased sympathetic vasomotor outflow during leg cycling with inspiratory resistance was smaller in women than in men. Less sympathetic vasomotor outflow with inspiratory muscle metaboreflex activation could be one of the mechanisms for the attenuated inspiratory muscle‐induced metaboreflex during exercise in young women.
Predicting cryptocurrency price bubbles using social media data and epidemic modelling

Financial price bubbles have previously been linked with the epidemic-like spread of an investment idea; such bubbles are commonly seen in cryptocurrency prices. This paper aims to predict such bubbles for a number of cryptocurrencies using a hidden Markov model previously utilised to detect influenza epidemic outbreaks, based in this case on the behaviour of novel online social media indicators. To validate the methodology further, a trading strategy is built and tested on historical data. The resulting trading strategy outperforms a buy and hold strategy. The work demonstrates both the broader utility of epidemic-detecting hidden Markov models in the identification of bubble-like behaviour in time series, and that social media can provide valuable predictive information pertaining to cryptocurrency price movements.
Personality trait perception from speech signals using multiresolution analysis and convolutional neural networks

This study presents an approach to personality trait (PT) perception from speech signals using wavelet-based multiresolution analysis and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In this study, first, wavelet transform is employed to decompose the speech signals into the signals at different levels of resolution. Then, the acoustic features of the speech signals at each resolution are extracted. Given the acoustic features, the CNN is adopted to generate the profiles of the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI- 10), which provide a quantitative measure for expressing the degree of the presence or absence of a set of 10 basic BFI items. The BFI-10 profiles are further fed into five artificial neural networks (ANN), each for one of the five personality dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism for PT perception. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, experiments were conducted over the SSPNet Speaker Personality Corpus (SPC), including 640 clips randomly extracted from the French news bulletins in the INTERSPEECH 2012 speaker trait sub-challenge. From the experimental results, an average PT perception accuracy of 71.97% was obtained, outperforming the ANN-based method and the Baseline method in the INTERSPEECH 2012 speaker trait sub-challenge.
Long-term follow-up and novel splice donor mutation in MEN1 in a Chinese family

Heterozygous germline mutation of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene is responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Parathyroid and thoracic neuroendocrine tumor specimens and DNA from two Han Chinese MEN1 family patients were analyzed using whole exome and Sanger sequencing. The proband (II-3) was sequentially diagnosed with pituitary adenoma, pancreatic tumor, adrenal cortical tumor, abdominal lipoma, and parathyroid adenoma during the 6-year follow-up. The son of the proband (III-6) was also diagnosed with a thoracic neuroendocrine tumor and a parathyroid adenoma during this period. Splice alterations were studied by RT-PCR and sequencing. The mutation impact was evaluated using bioinformatics. Sequence analysis revealed a novel splice donor mutation, MEN1 IVS9 + 1G > C, that changed the splicing mode of MEN1 to halt translation before two nuclear localization signals in the menin protein. Novel somatic mutations, MEN1 c. 1402_1405delGAGG and c.286 C > T, were identified in the parathyroid adenoma of II-3 and thoracic neuroendocrine tumor of III-6, respectively, indicating a two-hit etiology of MEN1 syndrome. Our study revealed the clinical and genetic basis of MEN1 in this Han Chinese family and provides insight into MEN1 mechanisms, diagnosis, and management.
FOXP3, RORγt and IL-10 cytokine profile in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND Distinct subsets of T cells play crucial regulatory roles in inflammatory processes of chronic heart failure (CHF). Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (Ror-γt) and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) have been defined as the "master regulators" of Th17 cells and Treg cells, respectively. At the same time, anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 may neutralize inflammation in CHF. The current study was designed to compare FOXP3, RORγt and IL-10 protein expression in the blood and IL-10 in supernatant PBMCs in CHF patients versus normal subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our study population consisted of 42 patients with CHF in four different function classes and 42 healthy subjects who served as controls. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was performed and mRNA expression for genes FOXP3, RORγt, IL-10 was determined by RT-PCR. The amount of IL-10 protein in supernatant of PBMCs was measured by ELISA technique. RESULTS There was no significant difference in FOXP3, RORγt, IL-10 protein expression and supernatant PBMCs IL-10 in CHF patients as compared to control. The level of Foxp3 was significantly lower in CHF patients with ischemic vs non-ischemic cause (p = 0.04). DISCUSSION Although inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of CHF, the roles of FOXp3, RORγt, and IL-10 remain to be determined (Tab. 3, Ref. 33).
Tooth development and histology patterns in lamniform sharks (Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes) revisited

The dentition of lamniforme sharks exhibits several characters that have been used extensively to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of extant taxa, yet some uncertainties remain. Also, the development of different teeth of a tooth file within the jaws of most extant lamniforms has not been documented to date. High‐resolution micro‐computed tomography is used here to re‐evaluate the importance of two dental characters within the order Lamniformes, which were considered not to be phylogenetically informative, the histotype and the number of teeth per tooth file. Additionally, the development and mineralization patterns of the teeth of the two osteodont lamniforms Lamna nasus and Alopias superciliosus were compared. We discuss the importance of these dental characters for phylogenetic interpretations to assess the quality of these characters in resolving lamniform relationships. The dental characters suggest that (1) Lamniformes are the only modern‐level sharks exhibiting the osteodont histotype, (2) the osteodont histotype in lamniform sharks is a derived state in modern‐level sharks (Elasmobranchii), (3) the osteodont type, conversely is convergently achieved when the clade Chondrichthyes is considered and thus might comprise a functional rather than a phylogenetic signal, and (4) there is an increase in the number of teeth per file throughout lamniform phylogeny. Structural development of the teeth of L. nasus and A. superciliosus is congruent with a previous investigation of the lamniform shark Carcharodon carcharias. J. Morphol. 277:1584–1598, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An event-based geo-social user profile for a personalized information retrieval

The user of a social website is often interested by information about events that have interested other users, especially his friends, and that appear remarkably in their researches, exchanges and sharing. In this paper, for a better description of the user and his interests, we propose: (i) a geosocial user profile that takes into account the event aspect of user information needs, (ii) a search process integrating the user profile for a better personalization and adaptation of the search results.
Effect of post-hypoxic-ischemic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis on cerebral blood flow, metabolism and electrocortical brain activity in newborn lambs.

Since an excessive production of nitric oxide upon reperfusion/reoxygenation may play an important role in post-hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury, we investigated whether immediate post-HI blockade of nitric oxide synthesis by N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (NLA) may reduce this injury. In 18 newborn lambs, subjected to severe HI, changes from pre-HI values were measured for carotid blood flow (Qcar [ml/min]) as a measure of changes in brain blood flow, (relative) cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and electrocortical brain activity (ECBA) at 15, 60, 120 and 180 min after HI. Upon completion of HI, at the onset of reperfusion and reoxygenation, 6 lambs received a placebo (control group), 6 low-dose NLA (10 mg/kg i.v., NLA-10 group), and 6 high-dose NLA (40 mg/kg i.v., NLA-40 group). Histological damage to cerebellar Purkinje cells was assessed after termination of the experiment. Only the control group showed a distinct initial post-HI cerebral hyperperfusion. From 60 min after HI onward Qcar was decreased to about 75% of pre-HI Qcar in all 3 groups, although none of these changes in Qcar reached statistical significance. Despite the decreased Qcar in all 3 groups, only the control group showed a significantly decreased CMRO2. ECBA and its bandwidth decreased in all groups, but only recovered in the NLA-10 group 180 min after HI. The brain to body mass ratio (%) and percentage necrotic Purkinje cells were, respectively: 15.3 +/- 0.8 and 56 +/- 10 (control group); 12.5 +/- 1.2 and 36 +/- 9 (NLA-10 group), and 11.3 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.05 vs. the control group) and 35 +/- 14 (NLA-40 group). Since post-HI reperfusion injury of the brain has been characterized by a decreased CMRO2 and electrical brain activity, we conclude that preservation of CMRO2 in both NLA groups, but a recovery of ECBA and its bandwidth only in the NLA-10 group, suggests that NLA, and especially low-dose NLA, may reduce post-HI brain injury.
A Novel Covert Agent for Stealthy Attacks on Industrial Control Systems Using Least Squares Support Vector Regression

Research on stealthiness has become an important topic in the field of data integrity (DI) attacks. To construct stealthy DI attacks, a common assumption in most related studies is that attackers have prior model knowledge of physical systems. In this paper, such assumption is relaxed and a covert agent is proposed based on the least squares support vector regression (LSSVR). By estimating a plant model from control and sensory data, the LSSVR-based covert agent can closely imitate the behavior of the physical plant. Then, the covert agent is used to construct a covert loop, which can keep the controller’s input and output both stealthy over a finite time window. Experiments have been carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Role of ultrasound for central catheter tip localization in neonates: a review of the current evidence

Abstract Central catheters are known as “life lines” in intensive care units and are used frequently in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for multiple indications. The central catheters used in NICU includes umbilical venous catheter (UVC), umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines. The tip of these central lines needs to be in a correct position as malpositioned central line tips lead to many neonatal complications. Radiograph either abdomen or chest is the most widely used modality for locating the tip of the central catheter. There are many disadvantages of radiographic confirmation of tip position and recently ultrasound (USG)/echocardiography has been used for localization of catheter tip. USG provides real-time assessment of the tip position with other added advantages like no radiation exposure, need for minimal training for performing USG, minimal handling of the neonate, identification of migration of central lines and making repositioning of central lines under USG guidance. The present evidence supports the use of USG/Echo for localization of central catheter tip and USG has shown to have good sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value when compared with a radiograph. In this review, we discuss about the role of USG/Echo in the identification of tip of central catheters in neonatal care.
Improved Patient Outcomes with BCG Immunotherapy vs. Chemotherapy – Swedish and Worldwide Experience

Intravesical therapy of superficial bladder cancer has been in routine use since the introduction of thiotepa in 1961. An empirical approach has been used to optimize this kind of treatment – clinical data are, unfortunately, often lacking. Marker lesion studies indicate that BCG is more effective than cytostatic drugs. For the prophylaxis of recurring disease, the recurrence rate is lower with chemotherapy than in controls, but no effect on the risk of progression has been verified. None of the chemotherapy drugs used has proved superior to the others. Randomized trials have recently been performed with mitomycin C vs. BCG. Comparison of the different trials is difficult due to the use of different methodologies. The majority of the studies found BCG to be more effective in lowering the number of recurrences, but progression rates were not significantly different. Trials with combinations of BCG-mitomycin C or epirubicin-interferon have yielded promising results.
Effectiveness of magnetic fluid hyperthermia against Candida albicans cells

Abstract Candida albicans is one of the most frequently isolated fungal pathogens causing opportunistic infections in humans. Targeted magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a promising method in thermal therapy facilitating selective heating of pathogen cells like C. albicans. In the paper, we used meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and functionalised anti-C. albicans immunomagnetic nanoparticles (IMNPs) to investigate the potential of MFH in combating C. albicans cells in vitro. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy it was found that synthesised MNPs exhibited superparamagnetic phenomena. On the basis of calorimetric experiments, the maximum SAR (specific absorption rate) was found and a proper concentration of MNPs was established to control the temperature. MFH based on both DMSA-coated MNPs and functionalised anti-C. albicans IMNPs was more effective in combating C. albicans cells in vitro than thermostat hyperthermia. Especially promising results were obtained using functionalised IMNPs, which eradicated most of the pathogen colonies at the temperature of 43 °C.
Developing Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for label‐free antigen detection

For several decades, a multitude of studies have documented the ability of Raman spectroscopy (RS) to differentiate between tissue types and identify pathological changes to tissues in a range of diseases. Furthermore, spectroscopists have illustrated that the technique is capable of detecting disease‐specific alterations to tissue before morphological changes become apparent to the pathologist. This study draws comparisons between the information that is obtainable using RS alongside immunohistochemistry (IHC), since histological examination is the current GOLD standard for diagnosing a wide range of diseases. Here, Raman spectral maps were generated using formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded colonic tissue sections from healthy patients and spectral signatures from principal components analysis (PCA) were compared with several IHC markers to confirm the validity of their localizations. PCA loadings identified a number of signatures that could be assigned to muscle, DNA and mucin glycoproteins and their distributions were confirmed with antibodies raised against anti‐Desmin, anti‐Ki67 and anti‐MUC2, respectively. The comparison confirms that there is excellent correlation between RS and the IHC markers used, demonstrating that the technique is capable of detecting compositional changes in tissue in a label‐free manner, eliminating the need for antibodies.
Monitoring Perceived Usability of ERP Systems in Latvian Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises

Abstract Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are targeted for managing operational data and improving business efficiency, while their complex interfaces challenge this goal. The purpose of this study is to examine user attitude towards ERP system’s usability in Latvian medium, small and micro-sized enterprises. It is part of a broader European users’ study, which aims at designing and creating innovative and trendsetting user interface and interaction concepts for ERP systems.
Deep Generative Models for Molecular Science

Generative deep machine learning models now rival traditional quantum‐mechanical computations in predicting properties of new structures, and they come with a significantly lower computational cost, opening new avenues in computational molecular science. In the last few years, a variety of deep generative models have been proposed for modeling molecules, which differ in both their model structure and choice of input features. We review these recent advances within deep generative models for predicting molecular properties, with particular focus on models based on the probabilistic autoencoder (or variational autoencoder, VAE) approach in which the molecular structure is embedded in a latent vector space from which its properties can be predicted and its structure can be restored.
Iron chelation therapy in low risk myelodysplastic syndrome

Anaemia is the commonest cytopenia seen in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and the majority of patients will require transfusion support at some point. Blood transfusions are rich in iron, which leads to the accumulation of body iron over time. It is accepted that this ultimately causes end organ damage and may impact on both morbidity and mortality. In addition, recent data has increased our interest in the subject with regard to the potential impact on stem cell transplant outcome and an anti‐leukaemic effect of iron chelation therapy. There is still debate over which patients should receive iron chelation therapy, but the emergence of new diagnostic and prognostic markers in MDS may help decision making in the clinic setting.
Amelanotic melanoma arising within a lesion of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis: An unusual presentation leading to a novel therapeutic approach

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is the most common variant of porokeratosis with a potential for malignant transformation. Its association with malignant melanoma, however, is exceedingly rare. Treatment of DSAP is often ineffective. We report a unique case of amelanotic melanoma arising within a lesion of DSAP. The melanoma was managed surgically, and her DSAP were treated successfully with a novel approach utilizing 5‐fluorouracil chemowraps.
Textual Aspects of Prosody in Swedish

Abstract The present paper explores the textual function of intonation in indicating coherence and boundaries between successive utterances of speech. An informal listening test showed how such prosodic coupling can be used to mark coherence between sentences of a text unit. The coherence is expressed as a downdrift of F₀ peaks and valleys characterizing the whole text unit. The boundary between two text units is signalled by terminating one and beginning another downdrift ramp. The characteristic features of the downdrift pattern seem to be (1) an adjustment of F₀ values to the length of the text unit, and (2) an adaptation of the F₀ of the beginning of a succeeding sentence to that of the later part of a preceding one in the same unit. Some preliminary implications of these results for speech planning are discussed.
Pentoxifylline and Methylprednisolone Additively Alleviate Kidney Failure and Prolong Survival of Rats after Renal Warm Ischemia-Reperfusion

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) induces local inflammation leading to kidney damage. Since pentoxifylline (PTX) and steroids have distinct immunomodulatory properties, we aimed to evaluate for the first time their combined use in IRI-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rats. In two experiments, PTX (100 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously) was administered 90 min prior to renal IRI or/and methylprednisolone (MP; 100 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly) was infused 60 min after reperfusion of a solitary kidney (AKI model: 45 min ischemia, 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats) or one kidney with excision of contralateral kidney 2 weeks later (CKD model: 90 min ischemia, 38 rats). Saline was infused in place of PTX or/and MP depending on the group. Renal function (diuresis, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, sodium and potassium excretion, and urine protein/creatinine) was assessed at 48 h and 120 h post-IRI (AKI model) or 4, 16 and 24 weeks after IRI, along with survival analysis (CKD model). More evidently at early stages of AKI or CKD, treated animals showed higher glomerular filtration and diminished tubular loss of electrolytes, more so with PTX + MP than PTX or MP (serum creatinine (μmol/L) at 48 h of AKI: 60.9 ± 19.1 vs. 131.1 ± 94.4 vs. 233.4 ± 137.0, respectively, vs. 451.5 ± 114.4 in controls, all p < 0.05; and at 4 weeks of CKD: 89.0 ± 31.9 vs. 118.1 ± 64.5 vs. 156.9 ± 72.6, respectively, vs. 222.9 ± 91.4 in controls, p < 0.05 for PTX or PTX + MP vs. controls and PTX + MP vs. MP). Survival was better by >2-fold with PTX + MP (89%) vs. controls (40%; p < 0.05). PTX + MP largely protect from IRI-induced AKI and CKD and subsequent mortality in rats. This calls for clinical investigations, especially in kidney transplantation.
QR-decomposed generalized belief propagation with smart message reduction for low-complexity MIMO signal detection

In this paper, we propose a QR-decomposed generalized belief propagation (QR-GBP) with smart message reduction (SMR) for low-complexity multi-input multi-output (MIMO) signal detection. QR-GBP requires exponentially high complexity to update every messages while it enables to calculate exact marginal probabilities on a valid region graph consisting of sets of multiple nodes in a factor graph defined by MIMO channels and provides the superior performance close to maximum-likelihood detection (MLD). In this paper, we propose a novel complexity reduction method called SMR, which exploits the structure of the region graph after QR-decomposition. Numerical results show QR-GBP with SMR can achieve near-optimal performance close to MLD as same as QR-GBP while its complexity is significantly low.