Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of combined fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient values for detection of involvement in multiple system atrophy

Objective: To determine whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and fractional anisotropy (FA) values can detect early pathological involvement in multiple system atrophy (MSA), and be used to differentiate MSA-P (multiple system atrophy if parkinsonian features predominate) from Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: We compared ADC and FA values in the pons, cerebellum and putamen of 61 subjects (20 probable MSA patients, 21 age matched PD patients and 20 age matched healthy controls) using a 3.0 T magnetic resonance system. Results: ADC values in the pons, cerebellum and putamen were significantly higher, and FA values lower in MSA than in PD or controls. These differences were prominent in MSA lacking dorsolateral putaminal hyperintensity (DPH) or hot cross bun (HCB) sign. In differentiating MSA-P from PD using FA and ADC values, we obtained equal sensitivity (70%) and higher specificity (100%) in the pons than in the putamen and cerebellum. In addition, all patients that had both significant low FA and high ADC values in each of these three areas were MSA-P cases, and those that had both normal FA and ADC values in the pons were all PD cases. Our diagnostic algorithm based on these results accurately diagnosed 90% of patients with MSA-P. Conclusion: FA and ADC values detected early pathological involvement prior to magnetic resonance signal changes in MSA. In particular, low FA values in the pons showed high specificity in discriminating MSA-P from PD. In addition, combined analysis of both FA and ADC values in all three areas was more useful than only one.
Whole‐cell recordings of inwardly rectifying K+ currents activated by 5‐HT1A receptors on dorsal raphe neurones of the adult rat.

1. An inwardly rectifying K+ current activated by serotonin (5‐HT) was recorded from acutely isolated adult dorsal raphe (DR) neurones using the whole‐cell recording mode of the patch clamp technique. 2. The 5‐HT‐induced K+ current (I5‐HT) was only visible at an [K+]0 > 5 mM and it was observed in 69% of the cells. 3. The reversal potential for I5‐HT was close to the potassium equilibrium potential and was shifted by 51 mV per 10‐fold change in [K+]0 indicating that I5‐HT was carried predominantly by K+. The chord conductance of I5‐HT at ‐90 mV was proportional to the external [K+] raised to a fractional power. 4. A dose‐response relationship revealed that I5‐HT was activated with an ED50 of 30 nM. Ba2+ (0.1 mM) blocked I5‐HT completely. Spiperone reversibly antagonized the response to 5‐HT and 8‐OHDPAT (8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin) mimicked the response indicating that the receptor activated was of the 5‐HT1A subtype. 5. The response to 5‐HT was largely prevented by in vitro pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) indicating the involvement of a PTX‐sensitive G‐protein in the transduction mechanism. 6. cAMP and lipoxygenase metabolites, both implicated in the modulation of similar currents in other preparations, were found not to alter the effectiveness of 5‐HT. 7. Glibenclamide and tolbutamide, blockers of the ATP‐regulated K+ channel, did not reduce the effect of 5‐HT in DR neurones. 8. These results show that in acutely isolated adult DR neurones 5‐HT activates an inwardly rectifying K+ current and this involves a PTX‐sensitive G‐protein in the transduction pathway which may interact with the K+ channel directly.
Regulation of the Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I gene by DNA supercoiling

The transcriptional control region of THE E. coli DNA topoisomerase I (topA) gene has been fused to the galactokinase (galK) gene coding region in a recombinant plasmid. In vivo synthesis of the galactokinase produced from such a plasmid has been measured and found to be reduced when mutations in the genes coding for DNA gyrase subunits are introduced into the cell or when gyrase inhibitors are present. In vitro transcription-translation of the galactokinase gene product confirms that a supercoiled DNA template is required for efficient transcription from the topA gene promoter. These results indicate that the amount of DNA topoisomerase I activity in E. coli is regulated by the extent of DNA supercoiling and can contribute to the overall modulation of DNA superhelicity and the expression of other genes.
Automatic generation of portable parallel natural language parsers

Since natural language parsing is a computationally intensive task, the parallel parsing of natural language seems a promising choice. This paper describes both the Eu-PAGE (Eurotra PArser GEnerator) meta-compiler for the Eurotra formalism, which is a tool that automatically generates parallel natural language parsers, and the Dialogos parser, which is a parallel parser for the Greek language generated by Eu-PAGE. Parallel parsers generated by Eu-PAGE are based on finite-state machines, employ coarse-grained parallelism and are portably implemented on top of two parallel software platforms: PVM and Orchid. Orchid uses light-weight processes as the basic unit of parallelism, enhanced with advanced operating system facilities. The collected experimental results so far demonstrate satisfactory speed-ups of the parallel implementations compared to the sequential one.
Genotipos del virus papiloma humano en el cuello uterino de mujeres de la región central de Venezuela

SUMMARY Objective: To perform the detection and typing of human papilloma virus, in order to know the most common genotypes in the central region of Venezuela. Methods: The sample consisted of 24 734 female patients aged between 12 and 82 years, with clinical suspicion, cytological and/or histopathology of infection by the human papillomavirus. The samples came from different gynecological Carabobo, Venezuela, and were collected between 1999 and 2009. Swab samples, fresh biopsy and paraffin embedded biopsy were obtained. Results: The frequency of the virus was 68.7 % (16 991 / 24 734), of which 70 % were women in the age range of 12-30 years. Predominated low oncogenic risk genotypes with 61.6 % compared to 33.5 % of high risk and high risk probable 4.9 %. The most frequent genotype for low-risk group was 6 (59.2 %) and for high-risk groups and possible high risk was 31 (31.4 %) and 53 (99.3 %), respectively. Conclusions: Considering the number of sample used, this study is an important framework for future work, because it provides relevant data related to the state of infection by the human papilloma virus in the country.
Tailoring Messages and Design in a Web-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention

Skin cancer is the most common and preventable form of cancer in the US. This study used a randomized experiment and four-week follow-up to evaluate a web-based computer-tailored intervention. Participants who received the tailored web page were more likely to have read the page and less likely to hold positive beliefs about tanning than participants who received a generic web page. Results suggest that web-based tailoring may hold promise for skin cancer prevention.
The Treatment of Solar Lentigo using Dr . Hoon Hur ’ s Optimal Melanocytic Suicide-2 Parameter with a High fluence 1064 nm Nd : YAG Laser without Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation

A solar lentigo is a flat, sharply circumscribed patch. It can be round, oval or irregular in shape. Color varies from skincolored, brown to dark brown or black, and size varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter [1, 2]. It results from long-term exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes local proliferation of epidermal melanocytes and accumulation of melanin within the keratinocytes [3]. Solar lentigos or lentigines are very common, especially in people over the age of 40 years. But the treatment of solar lentigos or lentigines without side effects such as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), scars and recurrences are extremely difficult [4-6]. Therefore the authors introduce the new treatment of solar lentigo using Dr. Hoon Hur’s optimal melanocytic suicide-2(OMS-2) parameter with a high fluence 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser without side effects or recurrences. Abstract
Network slicing for 5G networks: A survey and an analysis of future trends

The support of network slicing in 5G networks is one of the hottest research topics. Slicing is considered to be one of the key enablers for multi-tenancy support and multi-service provision. During the past years, network slicing has been thoroughly investigated, but still several issues remain open. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of solutions and discusses the main trends and open issues.
Pharmacy practice in the Republic of Macedonia

As part of wider reforms within the pharmaceutical sector, the pharmaceutical care concept has been introduced in the Republic of Macedonia. This article provides discussion on current opportunities and challenges which pharmacy practice face in Macedonia. The emphasis is on three prerequisites for the implementation of pharmaceutical care including: organization of pharmaceutical services, legislation, and professional training. The author argues that Macedonia possesses a favorable pharmacy workforce, solid legal basis and supportive structures of healthcare services in order to implement pharmaceutical care. Implementing pharmaceutical care has not been without its challenges, such as: lack of clinical skills, inadequate continuing education and the current remuneration structure for pharmacy services. While Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) Guidelines have been developed, wider professional debate and practical steps have not been undertaken to promote the concept of pharmaceutical care nationally. Therefore, an integrated national approach to develop strategy, standards and tools for patient-oriented pharmaceutical practice has to be formulated. In addition, there is a need to undertake more comprehensive analysis of current pharmacy practice, to explore the awareness and willingness of the pharmacists to embrace pharmaceutical care practices, and to identify the opportunities and barriers for implementation of pharmacy practice.
Zero-voltage switching galvanically isolated current-fed full-bridge DC-DC converter

This paper presents a new soft-switching technique for the current-fed full-bridge DC-DC converter that enables zero voltage switching of the input side inverter switches. To achieve this, the secondary side voltage doubler rectifier has to be realized with active switches. Two control channels synchronous with the control signals of the inverter switches are added for driving those switches. Zero voltage switching achieved is assisted with the body diodes that conduct current during soft-switching transients as a result of the leakage inductance current shaping from the secondary side. Moreover, the converter does not suffer from voltage overshoots thanks to natural clamping from the secondary side. Theoretical predictions were verified with simulation.
Blastocyst culture: Myth or magic?

The development of sequential serum-free culture medium has led to a reported increase in implantation rate after transfer of embryos on days 5–6 (approximately 40%) compared with those achieved after transfer on days 2–3 (approximately 20%). However, there are numerous uncertainties surrounding extended culture that need to be considered. This article examines some of the problems and questions considered in relation to the following areas: the developmental capacity of the embryo in vitro; the uterine environment after embryo transfer; the clinical indications surrounding blastocyst transfer including a reduction in multiple pregnancy rate and relevance in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD); and the introduction of blastocyst culture into the embryology laboratory.
Bridging virtual models and reality for lifecycle support in process industries

Sophisticated IT tools are today a commodity when engineering large one-of-a-kind capital products like process plants. In the best case a comprehensive product virtual model is built up during the engineering phase. In most cases however the information and models are not maintained properly. Information comes from different sources e.g. equipment providers, in different formats and on varying pace. The plant or product operators are not able to keep models up to date. The paper presents practical experiences from industry together with requirements on information management and challenges for future research. A prerequisite is a life-cycle approach, which has to rely on an extensive utilization of virtually bridged with reality and supporting human awareness and learning. The concept will enable Local Virtual Presence of Global Companies.
Eight new luminous z >= 6 quasars discovered via SED model fitting of VISTA, WISE and Dark Energy Survey Year 1 observations

We present the discovery and spectroscopic confirmation with the European Southern Observatory New Technology Telescope (NTT) and Gemini South telescopes of eight new, and the rediscovery of two previously known, 6.0 < z < 6.5 quasars with z_AB < 21.0. These quasars were photometrically selected without any morphological criteria from 1533 deg^2 using spectral energy distribution (SED) model fitting to photometric data from Dark Energy Survey (g, r, i, z, Y), VISTA Hemisphere Survey (J, H, K) and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (W1, W2). The photometric data were fitted with a grid of quasar model SEDs with redshift-dependent Ly α forest absorption and a range of intrinsic reddening as well as a series of low-mass cool star models. Candidates were ranked using an SED-model-based χ^2-statistic, which is extendable to other future imaging surveys (e.g. LSST and Euclid). Our spectral confirmation success rate is 100 per cent without the need for follow-up photometric observations as used in other studies of this type. Combined with automatic removal of the main types of non-astrophysical contaminants, the method allows large data sets to be processed without human intervention and without being overrun by spurious false candidates. We also present a robust parametric redshift estimator that gives comparable accuracy to Mg ii and CO-based redshift estimators. We find two z ∼ 6.2 quasars with H ii near zone sizes ≤3 proper Mpc that could indicate that these quasars may be young with ages ≲ 10^6-10^7 years or lie in over dense regions of the IGM. The z = 6.5 quasar VDES J0224−4711 has J_AB = 19.75 and is the second most luminous quasar known with z ≥ 6.5.
A study of the excitatory effects of barbiturates.

After i.v. administration in mice, 5-(2-cyclohexylideneethyl)-5-ethyl barbituric acid and the (+)-isomer of 5-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-5-ethyl barbituric acid (DMBB) induced tonic extensor seizures preceded by brief tonic flexion. No evidence of depression preceded or accompanied these seizures. In contrast, the (—)-isomer of DMBB induced preanesthetic excitation without tonic seizures and antagonized the seizure activity of the (+)-isomer. (—)-DMBB was slightly more potent than pentobarbital as a central nervous system depressant and had an LD50 over 20 times higher than (+)-DMBB. Depressant barbiturates were more effective antagonists of barbiturate-induced convulsions than were trimethadione and diphenylhydantoin. Phenobarbital was an effective antagonist at \m=1/15\ of its neurotoxic dose 50. Barbiturates that caused preanesthetic excitation without tonic seizures produced simple depression at lower doses than those needed to elicit preanesthetic excitation. On the basis of these studies it is concluded that the depression which accompanies the seizure activity of racemic DMBB is not a necessary concomitant of barbiturate excitation and obscures the full convulsant effect.
Kisspeptin-54 stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis in human males.

CONTEXT Mutation of the G protein-coupled receptor 54 is associated with a failure of reproductive function. The endogenous neuropeptide agonist for G protein-coupled receptor 54, kisspeptin, potently stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in rodents and primates. OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to determine the effects of elevating circulating kisspeptin levels on LH, FSH, and testosterone in male volunteers. DESIGN This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. SETTING This was a hospital-based study. PARTICIPANTS Male volunteers (n = 6) were recruited. INTERVENTIONS Each volunteer received a 90-min i.v. infusion of kisspeptin-54 (4 pmol/kg x min) and a control infusion of saline (0.9%) in random order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Plasma LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations were measured. RESULTS Kisspeptin-54 infusion significantly increased plasma LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations compared with saline infusion (mean 90-min LH: kisspeptin, 10.8 +/- 1.5 vs. saline, 4.2 +/- 0.5 U/liter, P < 0.001; mean 90-min FSH: kisspeptin, 3.9 +/- 0.7 vs. saline, 3.2 +/- 0.6 U/liter, P < 0.001; mean 180-min testosterone: kisspeptin, 24.9 +/- 1.7 vs. saline, 21.7 +/- 2.2 nmol/liter, P < 0.001). The plasma half-life of kisspeptin-54 was calculated to be 27.6 +/- 1.1 min. The mean metabolic clearance rate was 3.2 +/- 0.2 ml/kg x min, and the volume of distribution was 128.9 +/- 12.5 ml/kg. CONCLUSION Elevation of plasma concentrations of kisspeptin in human males significantly increases circulating LH, FSH, and testosterone levels. Kisspeptin infusion provides a novel mechanism for hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis manipulation in disorders of the reproductive system.
Knowledge exploration in historical artefact record keeping

This article presents a modern generation of information systems in the area of historical artefact record keeping, based on ontology modelling techniques. The weaknesses of classical database-oriented systems are described and compared with ontology-based solutions. Advanced knowledge exploration based on knowledge technologies like operational knowledge processing languages enable to perform tasks that were unachievable by the former approaches. Practical domain modelling discussion and examples are included, as well as a suggested future research topics.
Experiments in the use of multiple-choice examinations for electromagnetics-related topics

The results of experimental usages of multiple-choice examinations for topics in electromagnetic compatibility, basic electromagnetics, and optics are reported. A novel technique to prevent students from gaining marks by random answers, the "stupid answer" method, was tested in one of the experiments and found to give good results. It was found that the mark distributions were comparable with those achieved by the same groups of students in traditional examinations and there appeared to be a good correlation with the abilities of the students, as measured in the traditional way. Fears that the examination would be too superficial and that students would easily score high marks proved groundless. It is suggested that, although the method has the possible disadvantage that it is not possible to pursue a problem in depth, it has several advantages, in particular in being able to cover the whole of the syllabus. When marked by computer, the method is inherently anonymous. A dramatic saving in the number of skilled person-hours required for marking was effected and there is also a potential for a significant saving in the number of person-hours required for the setting of questions.
ST ] 1 0 Se p 20 17 Methods in Estimation of Convex Sets

In the framework of shape constrained estimation, we review methods and works done in convex set estimation. Some methods are standard in statistics, coming especially from the theory of empirical processes, but we more geometric methods that are specific to convex set estimation. The statistical problems that we review include density support estimation, estimation of the level sets of densities or depth functions, nonparametric regression, etc. We focus on the estimation of convex sets under the Nykodim and the Hausdorff metrics, which require different techniques and, quite surprisingly, lead to very different results, in particular in density support estimation. Finally, we discuss computational issues in high dimension. MSC 2010 subject classifications: Primary 62-02, 62G05.
Ubiquitin‐Related Modifier SUMO1 and Nucleocytoplasmic Transport

Small ubiquitin related modifier SUMO‐1 and its homologs can be conjugated to a large number of cellular proteins. This involves an enzymatic cascade that resembles ubiquitination, and the modification can be reverted by isopeptidases. SUMOylation does not lead to degradation but instead appears to regulate protein/protein interactions, intracellular localization and protects some modified targets from ubiquitin‐dependent degradation. Data collected for more than 30 different target proteins point to two cellular processes, nucleocytoplasmic transport and intranuclear targeting, in which SUMO plays an active role. Here we will focus on links between SUMO and nuclear transport.
Dysfunction of the ubiquitin–proteasome system in multiple disease conditions: therapeutic approaches

The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is the major proteolytic pathway that degrades intracellular proteins in a regulated manner. Deregulation of the UPS has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, Huntington disease, Prion‐like lethal disorders, in the pathogenesis of several genetic diseases including cystic fibrosis, Angelman's syndrome and Liddle syndrome and in many cancers. Multiple lines of evidence have already proved that UPS has the potential to be an exciting novel therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases. Here I review how aberrant functions of various genes have implicated UPS in many human disorders including neurodegeneration and cancers. I also discuss the finding that some proteasome inhibitors possess a therapeutic potential as drugs against many such diseases. BioEssays 30:1172–1184, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Governance through Shame and Aspiration: Index Creation and Corporate Behavior

Abstract After decades of de-prioritizing shareholders’ economic interests and low corporate profitability, Japan introduced the JPX-Nikkei400 in 2014. The index highlighted the country’s “best-run” companies by annually selecting the 400 most profitable of its large and liquid firms. We find that managers competed for inclusion in the index by significantly increasing return on equity (ROE), and they did so at least in part due to their reputational or status concerns. The ROE increase was predominantly driven by improvements in margins, which were in turn partially driven by cutting research and development (R&D) intensity. Our findings suggest that indexes can affect managerial behavior through reputational or status incentives.
Chaos in Simple Nonlinear Systems and Chaotic Systems Simulation and Implementation

The behaviour between rigid regularity and randomness is called a chaos. The chaos means unpredictability in the behaviour of natural systems as the atmosphere, boiling water, or the beating heart. The study of chaos may lead to better detection and prediction algorithms for chaotic systems. In this paper a simple chaotic systems simulations and their implementation, based on electronic circuits are described.