Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large‐scale diversity patterns of vascular epiphytes in Neotropical montane rain forests

Aim Epiphytes contribute up to 30% to the number of vascular plant species in certain global biodiversity hotspots, e.g. the Ecuadorian Andes. However, their large scale diversity patterns are still discussed on the base of results from a few, local epiphyte inventories. Consequently, explanatory models on epiphyte diversity concentrate on the impact of local climate on small scale epiphyte species richness. Our aim was to analyse large scale elevational patterns of epiphyte diversity integrating data from different geographic scales.
MEMS-based reconfigurable RF front-end architecture for future band-free mobile terminals

A novel reconfigurable RF front-end architecture for future band-free mobile terminals is proposed. A single-path configuration and the use of single-band devices with distributed reconfigurable matching networks have the potential to achieve the optimum RF front-end for the transmission side. As the first step in verifying the proposed architecture, a reconfigurable quad-band power amplifier (PA) module is also presented. The 1W-class PA module using microelectromechanical systems switches and low temperature co-fired ceramic technology achieves the maximum power added efficiency of greater than 44% in the 0.9, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.6-GHz bands.
Mutant Resources in Rice for Functional Genomics of the Grasses[W]

Rice ( Oryza sativa ) is the reference genome for the grasses, including cereals. The complete genome sequence lays the foundation for comparative genomics to the other grasses based on genome structure and individual gene function ([Devos, 2005][1]; [International Rice Genome Sequencing Project,
Hyperosmolarity‐Induced Down‐Regulation of Claudin‐2 Mediated by Decrease in PKCβ‐Dependent GATA‐2 in MDCK Cells

Hyperosmolarity decreases claudin‐2 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells, but the molecular mechanism remains undefined. Here, we found that the hyperosmolarity‐induced decrease in claudin‐2 expression is inhibited by Go6983, a non‐selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and PKCβ specific inhibitor in Madin‐Darby canine kidney II cells. Hyperosmolarity increased intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and phosphorylated PKCβ level, which were inhibited by RN‐1734, an antagonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel. Phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, a PKC activator, decreased claudin‐2 expression. These results indicate hyperosmolarity decreases claudin‐2 expression mediated by the activation of RN‐1734‐sensitive channel and PKCβ. Hyperosmolarity decreased promoter activity of claudin‐2, which was inhibited by Go6983 and PKCβ inhibitor similar to those in real‐time PCR and Western blotting. The effect of hyperosmolarity on promoter activity was not observed in the construct of −469/−6, a deletion mutant. Claudin‐2 has hyperosmolarity‐sensitive region in its promoter, which includes GATA binding site. Hyperosmolarity decreased the nuclear level of GATA‐2, which was inhibited by Go6983 and PKCβ inhibitor. Mutation of GATA binding site decreased the basal promoter activity and inhibited the effect of hyperosmolarity. In contrast, the hyperosmolarity‐induced decrease in reporter activity and claudin‐2 expression were rescued by over‐expression of wild type GATA‐2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that GATA‐2 bound to promoter region of claudin‐2. These results suggest that hyperosmolarity decreases the expression level of claudin‐2 via a decrease in PKCβ‐dependent GATA‐2 transcriptional activity in renal tubular epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2776–2787, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High burden of metabolic comorbidities in a citywide cohort of HIV outpatients: evolving health care needs of people aging with HIV in Washington, DC

With the increasing impact of cardiovascular disease among populations aging with HIV, contemporary prevalence estimates for predisposing metabolic comorbidities will be important for guiding the provision of relevant lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. We estimated the citywide prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and obesity; examined differences by demographic subgroups; and assessed clinical correlates.
The role of fructose transporters in diseases linked to excessive fructose intake

Fructose intake has increased dramatically since humans were hunter‐gatherers, probably outpacing the capacity of human evolution to make physiologically healthy adaptations. Epidemiological data indicate that this increasing trend continued until recently. Excessive intakes that chronically increase portal and peripheral blood fructose concentrations to >1 and 0.1 mm, respectively, are now associated with numerous diseases and syndromes. The role of the fructose transporters GLUT5 and GLUT2 in causing, contributing to or exacerbating these diseases is not well known. GLUT5 expression seems extremely low in neonatal intestines, and limited absorptive capacities for fructose may explain the high incidence of malabsorption in infants and cause problems in adults unable to upregulate GLUT5 levels to match fructose concentrations in the diet. GLUT5‐ and GLUT2‐mediated fructose effects on intestinal electrolyte transporters, hepatic uric acid metabolism, as well as renal and cardiomyocyte function, may play a role in fructose‐induced hypertension. Likewise, GLUT2 may contribute to the development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease by facilitating the uptake of fructose. Finally, GLUT5 may play a role in the atypical growth of certain cancers and fat tissues. We also highlight research areas that should yield information needed to better understand the role of these GLUTs in fructose‐induced diseases.
Semantics-aware matching strategy (SAMS) for the Ontology meDiated Data Integration (ODDI)

Data integration systems are used to integrate heterogeneous data sources in a single view. Recent work on business intelligence highlights the need of on-time, reliable and sound data access systems relying on methods based on semi-automatic procedures. A crucial factor for any semi-automatic algorithm is that of the matching strategy. Different categories of matching operators carry different semantics. For this reason, combining them into a single strategy is a non-trivial process that has to take into account a variety of options. This paper presents SAMS, a matching strategy based on a semantics-aware categorisation of matching operators that allows to group similar attributes on a semantically-rich form.
Adaptive design of VALOR, a phase III trial of vosaroxin or placebo in combination with cytarabine for patients with first relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

TPS201 Background: Median overall survival (OS) for patients with relapsed or refractory AML remains short (3-6 mos) with current treatments. Vosaroxin (formerly voreloxin) with cytarabine had a promising activity/tolerability profile in phase II in this population (N=69): median OS 7.1 mos, combined CR rate 29%, current median leukemia-free survival 14.4 mos, 30-day all-cause mortality 3% (Stuart Chem Found Symp 2010), supporting phase III trial design. VALOR ( NCT01191801 ) is a phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multinational trial of the efficacy and safety of vosaroxin and cytarabine versus placebo and cytarabine in patients with first relapsed or refractory AML; OS is the primary endpoint. VALOR enrollment initiated in December 2010. METHODS Adaptive Design: Base case assumed 40% improvement in median OS, from 5 mos for the placebo + cytarabine arm to 7 mos for the vosaroxin + cytarabine arm (hazard ratio, HR=0.71); 375 OS events are required to provide 90% power at a 2-sided alpha of 0.05 with 1 interim look allowed at 50% OS events. The interim result is partitioned into zones based on conditional power: futility, unfavorable, promising, favorable and efficacy. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) can recommend stopping early for futility or efficacy or completing per base case if the interim result is either unfavorable or favorable. However, if the result falls into the promising zone, the DSMB can recommend a one time sample size adjustment, increasing the final number of events and sample size by 50% (from 450 to 675 evaluable patients) in order to detect a smaller but relevant treatment effect (HR > 0.71) (Mehta, Pocock, Stat Med 2010). For example, if the HR is 0.77 rather than 0.71, the 50% increase in sample size boosts the conditional power within the promising zone from approximately 70% to slightly greater than 90%. A key advantage of VALOR's design is the 50% increase is recommended only if the interim result demonstrates that the increase substantially reduces the risk of failing to detect a clinically meaningful OS benefit. This design satisfies the statistical and operational requirements of the FDA Draft Guidance on Adaptive Design.
Design and optimization of multithreshold CMOS (MTCMOS) circuits

Reducing power dissipation is one of the most important issues in very large scale integration design today. Scaling causes subthreshold leakage currents to become a large component of total power dissipation. Multithreshold technology has emerged as a promising technique to reduce leakage power. This paper presents several heuristic techniques for efficient gate clustering in multithreshold CMOS circuits by modeling the problem via bin-packing (BP) and set-partitioning (SP) techniques. The SP technique takes the circuit's routing complexity into consideration which is critical for deep submicron (DSM) implementations. By applying the techniques to six benchmarks to verify functionality, results obtained indicate that our proposed techniques can achieve on average 84% savings for leakage power and 12% savings for dynamic power. Furthermore, four hybrid clustering techniques that combine the BP and SP techniques to produce a more efficient solution are also devised. Ground bounce was also taken as a design parameter in the optimization problem. While accounting for noise, the proposed hybrid solution achieves on average 9% savings for dynamic power and 72% savings for leakage power dissipation at sufficient speeds and adequate noise margins.
Chronic progressive sensory ataxic neuropathy with polyclonal gammopathy and disseminated focal perivascular cellular infiltrations

One autopsied case of chronic progressive sensory-ataxic neuropathy with polyclonal elevation of serum and CSF IgG and IgA and without malignancy is reported. A marked loss of large myelinated fibers was universal in both the central and peripheral rami of primary sensory neurons. Fiber loss showed a multifocal patchy pattern in the proximal nerve trunks. The posterior root ganglion cell bodies were moderately atrophic and loss of large cells was observed. Unmyelinated axons were well preserved. The ventral spinal roots, ventral spinal horn cells, and muscles showed minimal involvement. There were focal perivascular mononuclear inflammatory cells without necrotizing vasculitis around the endoneurial and epineurial vessels. Similar perivascular cellular invasions were observed in the visceral organs, occasionally forming germinal follicle centers. This case suggested that this neuropathy has a unique background with a possible immune-mediated basis.
High-Gain Filtering Patch Antenna Without Extra Circuit

This paper presents a novel kind of patch antenna with high-selectivity filtering responses and high-gain radiation performance. The proposed antenna is mainly composed of a driven patch and a stacked patch, with its entire height being 0. 09λ. Three shorting pins and a U-slot are embedded in the driven patch to enhance out-of-band suppression levels and skirt selectivity near the lower band-edge, whereas the stacked patch provides a sharp roll-off rate at the upper band-edge and also an enhanced gain. Without using extra filtering circuits, the proposed antenna exhibits a quasi-elliptic boresight gain response with three radiation nulls. For demonstration, an antenna is implemented covering the LTE band (2.3-2.7 GHz). The antenna achieves an average gain of 9.7 dBi within passband, and out-of-band suppression levels of more than 21 dB.
Effectiveness of Intracavitary Electrocardiogram Guidance in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Tip Placement in Neonates

Correct tip location is crucial for a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) to maximize the effects of central venous infusion. However, it is difficult to place the tip in a correct location in neonates because of the unreliable estimated length by surface landmark. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of an improved intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) technique in guiding PICC placement in neonates based on the ratios of P/R wave amplitudes on IC-ECG. The results showed that all of the 32 neonates whose PICCs had been successfully placed and correct tip position verified by chest radiography acquired qualified P wave on IC-ECG. The average ratio of P/R wave amplitude was 0.6 ± 0.1, with a range of 0.4 to 0.8. The 49 neonates who received IC-ECG–guided PICC catheterization showed higher success rates of correct PICC tip position on the first attempt than traditional, predetermined length estimation on surface landmark (93.9% vs 62.5%, &khgr;2 = 18.01, P < .001). No significant complications occurred in the studied neonates. Based on these findings, IC-ECG–guided tip placement appears to be a promising approach in improving the success rate of tip location when placing a PICC in neonates.
Core loss calculation of the soft ferrite cores in high frequency transformer under non-sinusoidal excitations

Soft ferrite materials are widely used in the construction of high frequency transformer for power electronic applications. Core loss calculation is essential both in the selection of soft ferrites and the design of high frequency transformer. Traditionally, the Steinmetz equation is used to evaluate the core loss of magnetic materials under sinusoidal excitation. Nevertheless, in modern power electronics, the real voltage shapes across magnetic materials are usually non-sinusoidal. Thus, many other methods has been proposed for core loss calculation. In this paper, these methods are first introduced and discussed. Then a test setup, mainly consisting of a full-bridge power module is built to conduct the core loss measurement. Calculated and experimental results on this test setup are illustrated and compared. In addition, a detailed description of the test setup is given.
Hybrid influential centrality based label propagation algorithm for community detection

In recent times, user activities on web-based social networks has increased enormously irrespective of time and place that generates a variety of datasets which further offers tremendous scope for both mining and knowledge discovery. Due to a large number of Social Networking websites and interactions among people via these sites, rapid growth in social networks has taken place. Community detection is one of important activity at some point in social network analysis in order to exploit the network properties. It is widely applied in various domains like business, marketing, healthcare, biological networks etc. Out of many existing algorithms available for community detection, Label Propagation Algorithm (LPA) is one of fastest graph based semi-supervised community detection algorithm which has near linear time running complexity. Due to it effectual results and easy implementation with low complexity, it is widely used in various domains. However, total randomization in LPA leads to poor stability and low robustness. Sometimes it leads to a huge community structure or single community even. The proposed algorithm introduces hybrid influential centrality measure in order to improve the performance of LPA. Proposed algorithm reveals more stable and effective results and experimental results show its improved performance.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Pneumonia

A 13-year-old Hispanic male presented with intermittent right, anterior chest pain of one year’s duration and with two weeks of persistent fever and productive cough. On physical examination, respiratory rate was 22/ min, heart rate 130 beats/min, and blood pressure 100/52 mm. His weight was 81 pounds. Auscultation of the chest revealed a right, anterior pleural rub and underlying suppression of breath sounds. Chest x-ray demonstrated a right upper lobe pulmonary infiltrate (Fig. 1). Complete blood count included hemoglobin 11.4 g/dl, hematocrit 34%, and WBC 12,500/~tl, with 73% segmented neutrophils, 3% bands, 20% lymphocytes, 3% monocytes, and 3 ~Jc eosinophils. The platelet count was 5~5,000/~I. The
A statistical approach to branch modeling in static program performance prediction

Current static performance prediction methods have been less successful in statistically accounting for program workload distribution due to input data set variability, of which data-dependent branches are usually the most important contributors. While data-dependent basic block execution time is often characterized in terms of, e.g., mean and variance, branching conditions still are typically characterized by only one parameter, usually known as the truth probability. We propose and evaluate three statistical approaches to modeling branching behavior, to be used within a compositional method to predict program execution time distribution. The approaches are coined the empirical, the Bernoulli, and the ARP (Alternating Renewal Processes) approach. While the Empirical approach is based on measuring branching behavior in terms of the surrounding loop construct, the other approaches aim at deriving a statistical model of the branch itself, which enables a higher level of compositionality. Our measurement results, based on synthetic as well as on real programs, show that the Empirical approach delivers the highest accuracy, whereas the alternative approaches trade accuracy for compositionality. For Markovian branches, the compositional approaches deliver high prediction accuracy. In contrast to intuition and our synthetic experiments, in real programs the two-parameter ARP approach does not always outperform the one-parameter Bernoulli approach.
Biochemical studies of bacterial sporulation and germaination. VII. Protein turnover during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract Synthesis of spore protein during sporulation was shown, by labeling with 3H-phenylalanine, to be accompanied by degradation of vegetative cell protein at a rate in excess of 18% per hour. In contrast, turnover during exponential growth is negligible. Turnover is nonspecific, in that protein newly synthesized during sporulation is degraded at the same rate as pre-existing vegetative cell protein. This general and extremely active degradation of protein during sporulation requires protein synthesis after the end of exponential growth but before turnover begins. However, once turnover commences, protein degradation continues even when protein synthesis is blocked. The percentage of protein newly synthesized in the forespore compartment during sporulation is significantly higher than that in the surrounding mother cell. Whether protein turnover occurs in the forespore as in the mother cell has not been established.
Effect of the chemosterilant apholate on the synthesis of cellular components in developing housefly eggs.

Many antimetabolites and alkylating agents (e.g. 5-fluorouracil, amethopterin, aphoxide and apholate) at concentrations of 005-10O% in food given to adult houseflies (Musca domestica L.) induce sterility in one or both sexes (LaBrecque, Adcock & Smith, 1961; LaBrecque, 1961). Some sterilants interrupt or prevent normal oviposition, whereas others cause the deposition of non-viable eggs. Also, depending on the compound used, either permanent or temporary sterility can be induced by many of these chemicals (Painter & Kilgore, 1964). Kilgore & Painter (1962) reported that the chemosterilant 5-fluoro[14C]uracil, or a metabolic product, was incorporated into the internal components of housefly eggs after the consumption of a treated diet by the adult insects. There was a correlation between the amount of radioactive material in the eggs and egg viability. Plapp, Bigley, Chapman & Eddy (1962), studying the metabolism of the sterilant methaphoxide, found that the chemical was completely degraded within 48 hr. after injection into the thorax, but that the 32p from labelled methaphoxide appeared to increase in the ovaries of houseflies for 24 hr. after administration. The methaphoxide content of the ovaries declined rapidly after reaching a peak 1 hr. after treatment. Except for these studies, there have been few reports on the mechanism of action or biological effects of chemosterilants in insects. Much information has been published on the synthesis of nucleic acids during the development of sea-urchin eggs, frog eggs and chick embryos (Hoff-J0rgensen, 1954), although little is known about the development of these components in viable or non-viable housefly eggs. Therefore, in conjunction with our studies on the mechanism of action of chemosterilants in houseflies, the concentrations ofRNA and DNA as well as the concentrations of two enzymes, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, were determined in both viable and non-viable eggs during the normal incubation period immediately after deposition. The non-viable eggs used were deposited by adult insects given diets treated with the chemosterilant apholate. The results of these experiments are reported below.
Prospective validation of the pediatric appendicitis score in a Canadian pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVES Clinical scoring systems attempt to improve the diagnostic accuracy of pediatric appendicitis. The Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) was the first score created specifically for children and showed excellent performance in the derivation study when administered by pediatric surgeons. The objective was to validate the score in a nonreferred population by emergency physicians (EPs). METHODS A convenience sample of children, 4-18 years old presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain of less than 3 days' duration and in whom the treating physician suspected appendicitis, was prospectively evaluated. Children who were nonverbal, had a previous appendectomy, or had chronic abdominal pathology were excluded. Score components (right lower quadrant and hop tenderness, anorexia, pyrexia, emesis, pain migration, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia) were collected on standardized forms by EPs who were blinded to the scoring system. Interobserver assessments were completed when possible. Appendicitis was defined as appendectomy with positive histology. Outcomes were ascertained by review of the pathology reports from the surgery specimens for children undergoing surgery and by telephone follow-up for children who were discharged home. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated. The overall performance of the score was assessed by a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS Of the enrolled children who met inclusion criteria (n = 246), 83 (34%) had pathology-proven appendicitis. Using the single cut-point suggested in the derivation study (PAS 5) resulted in an unacceptably high number of false positives (37.6%). The score's performance improved when two cut-points were used. When children with a PAS of <or=4 were discharged home without further investigations, the sensitivity was 97.6% with a NPV of 97.7%. When a PAS of >or=8 determined the need for appendectomy, the score's specificity was 95.1% with a PPV of 85.2%. Using this strategy, the negative appendectomy rate would have been 8.8%, the missed appendicitis rate would have been 2.4%, and 41% of imaging investigations would have been avoided. CONCLUSIONS The PAS is a useful tool in the evaluation of children with possible appendicitis. Scores of <or=4 help rule out appendicitis, while scores of >or=8 help predict appendicitis. Patients with a PAS of 5-7 may need further radiologic evaluation.