Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Effects of Fine Particulate Air Pollution on Ischemic Heart Disease Hospitalizations in Taipei: A Case-Crossover Study

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was a correlation between fine particles (PM2.5) levels and hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Taipei, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for IHD and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 2006–2010. The relative risk of hospital admissions was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the single pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), increased IHD admissions were significantly associated with PM2.5 on both warm (> 23°C) and cool days (< 23°C), with an interquartile range increase associated with a 12% (95% CI = 10%–14%) and 4% (95% CI = 2%–6%) increase in IHD admissions, respectively. In the two-pollutant models, PM2.5 remained significant after the inclusion of SO2 or O3 both on warm and cool days. This study provides evidence that higher levels of PM2.5 increase the risk of hospital admissions for IHD.
Failed Labor Induction: Toward an Objective Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes in women undergoing labor induction with an unfavorable cervix according to duration of oxytocin administration in the latent phase of labor after ruptured membranes. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized multicenter trial in which all cervical examinations from admission were recorded. Inclusion criteria: nulliparas at or beyond 36 weeks of gestation undergoing induction with a cervix of 2 cm or less dilated and less than completely effaced. The latent phase of labor was defined as ending at a cervical dilation of 4 cm and effacement of at least 90%, or at a cervical dilation of 5 cm regardless of effacement. RESULTS: A total of 1,347 women were analyzed. The overall vaginal delivery rate was 63.2%. Most women had exited the latent phase after 6 hours of oxytocin and membrane rupture (n=939; 69.7%); only 5% remained in the latent phase after 12 hours. The longer the latent phase, the lower the vaginal delivery rate. Even so, 39.4% of the 71 women who remained in the latent phase after 12 hours of oxytocin and membrane rupture were delivered vaginally. Chorioamnionitis, endometritis, or both, and uterine atony were the only maternal adverse outcomes related to latent-phase duration: adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.12 (1.07, 1.17) and 1.13 (1.06, 1.19), respectively, for each additional hour. Neonatal outcomes were not related to latent-phase duration. CONCLUSION: Almost 40% of the women who remained in the latent phase after 12 hours of oxytocin and membrane rupture were delivered vaginally. Therefore, it is reasonable to avoid deeming labor induction a failure in the latent phase until oxytocin has been administered for at least 12 hours after membrane rupture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
Quantitative Analysis of the Complex between p21 and the Ras-binding Domain of the Human Raf-1 Protein Kinase (*)

The Ras-binding domain (RBD) of human Raf-1 was purified from Escherichia coli, and its interaction with Ras was investigated. Its dissociation constant with p21•guanyl-5′-yl imidodiphosphate was found to be 18 nM, with a slight preference for H-ras over K- and N-ras. Oncogenic forms bind with slightly lower affinity. The affinity of RBD for effector region mutants or the GDP-bound form of p21 is in the micromolar range, which means that 100-fold lower affinity is not sufficient for signal transduction. The rate of the GTPase of p21 is not modified by RBD. Since Pi release is found not to be rate limiting, the Ras-Raf signal of the cell may be terminated by the intrinsic GTPase of p21.
σS Controls Multiple Pathways Associated with Intracellular Multiplication of Legionella pneumophila

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of the severe and potentially fatal pneumonia Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila is able to replicate within macrophages and protozoa by establishing a replicative compartment in a process that requires the Icm/Dot type IVB secretion system. The signals and regulatory pathways required for Legionella infection and intracellular replication are poorly understood. Mutation of the rpoS gene, which encodes σS, does not affect growth in rich medium but severely decreases L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication within protozoan hosts. To gain insight into the intracellular multiplication defect of an rpoS mutant, we examined its pattern of gene expression during exponential and postexponential growth. We found that σS affects distinct groups of genes that contribute to Legionella intracellular multiplication. We demonstrate that rpoS mutants have a functional Icm/Dot system yet are defective for the expression of many genes encoding Icm/Dot-translocated substrates. We also show that σS affects the transcription of the cpxR and pmrA genes, which encode two-component response regulators that directly affect the transcription of Icm/Dot substrates. Our characterization of the L. pneumophila small RNA csrB homologs, rsmY and rsmZ, introduces a link between σS and the posttranscriptional regulator CsrA. We analyzed the network of σS-controlled genes by mutational analysis of transcriptional regulators affected by σS. One of these, encoding the L. pneumophila arginine repressor homolog gene, argR, is required for maximal intracellular growth in amoebae. These data show that σS is a key regulator of multiple pathways required for L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication.
FERTILITY DYNAMICS IN MALAYSIA: COMPARISON OF MALAY, CHINESE AND INDIAN ETHNICS

For the past several decades, the annual growth rate of world population has been declining and is projected to continue to decline in the coming years. This phenomenon occurred partly due to a significant drop in fertility rates. Globally, the average total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped by half from about 5.0 births per woman in the early 1950s to 2.5 in 2010. Malaysia, like any other developing countries is also experiencing changes in fertility rates. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the pace of fertility change in Malaysia from 1970 to 2010 using time series data obtained from Department of Statistics Malaysia. Trend analysis has been applied in order to explain the fertility transition of Malaysia’s population. In addition, this paper provides a comparative analysis of fertility trends among three major ethnic groups in Malaysia namely Malay, Chinese and Indian. The most important findings to emerge from this study are that between 1970 to 2010, Malaysia’s TFR has dropped from 5.0 to 2.1 births per women and the fertility trends of the three major ethnic groups have steadily declined. By 1982, Malays experienced the highest fertility rate with 4.6 births per women while Chinese and Indian were 2.9 and 3.2 births per women respectively. This study concludes that the fertility differentials will lead to changes in ethnic composition and age structures. It is hoped that the findings of this study will assist policy makers and healthcare providers to shape the actions needed to improve the fertility rate in Malaysia.
In Silico Toxicology in Drug Discovery — Concepts Based on Three-dimensional Models

Animal testing is still compulsory worldwide, for the approval of drugs and chemicals produced in large quantities. Computer-assisted (in silico) technologies are considered to be efficient alternatives to in vivo experiments, and are therefore endorsed by many regulatory agencies, e.g. for use in the European REACH initiative. Advantages of in silico methods include: the possible study of hypothetical compounds; their low cost; and the fact that such virtual experiments are typically based on human data, thus making the question of interspecies transferability obsolete. Since the mid-1990s, computer-based technologies have become an indispensable tool in drug discovery — used primarily to identify small molecules displaying a stereospecific and selective binding to a regulatory macromolecule. Since toxic effects are still responsible for some 20% of the late-stage failures, there is a continuing need for in silico concepts which can be used to estimate a compound's ADMET (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicity) properties — in particular, toxicity. The aim of this paper is to provide an insight into computational technologies that allow for the prediction of toxic effects triggered by pharmaceuticals. As most adverse and toxic effects are mediated by unwanted interactions with macromolecules involved in biological regulatory systems, we have focused on methodologies that are based on three-dimensional models of small molecules binding to such entities, and discuss the results at the molecular level.
Association of protein C23 with rapidly labeled nucleolar RNA.

The association of nucleolar phosphoprotein C23 with preribosomal ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles was examined in Novikoff hepatoma nucleoli. RNA was labeled with [3H]uridine for various times in cell suspensions, and RNP particles were extracted from isolated nucleoli and fractionated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The majority of protein C23 cosedimented with fractions containing rapidly labeled RNA (RL fraction). To determine whether there was a direct association of RNA with protein C23, the RL fraction was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm) for short periods of time. After 2 min of exposure there was a 50% decrease in C23 as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analyses, with no significant further decrease at longer times. When UV-treated fractions were subjected to phenol/chloroform extractions, as much as 30% of the labeled RNA was found in the phenol (protein) layer, indicating that RNA became cross-linked to protein. Similarly, there was an increase in protein C23 extracted into the water layer after irradiation. By SDS-PAGE analyses the cross-linked species migrated more slowly than protein C23, appearing as a smear detected either by [3H]uridine radioactivity or by anti-C23 antibody. With anti-C23 antibodies, up to 25% of the labeled RNA was precipitated from the RL fraction. Dot-blot hybridizations, using cloned rDNA fragments as probes, indicated that the RNA in the RL fraction and the immunoprecipitated RNA contained sequences from 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Automatic crown surface reconstruction using tooth statistical model for dental prosthesis planning

In modern dentistry, computerized procedures are widely used for simulating the operation and treatment processes. Computed tomography (CT) images provide dentists with useful information in maxillofacial and dental implantation surgeries. In the case of implantation, the size and shape of prosthesis is extracted from the geometrical features of other teeth, in dental cast. In this paper, we intend to reconstruct the shape of missing tooth using only dental CT images. To meet this goal, an atlas of the desired tooth must be created from a set of training shapes beforehand. Statistical shape models (SSM) provide good information of three-dimensional (3D) structure of teeth that can be used for shape reconstruction. We use an automatic algorithm to generate the SSM for each individual tooth from intact datasets. The proposed method for reconstruction of the missing tooth from SSM is mainly comprised of three parts: initial translation of atlas, rigid locating and surface deformation with contour matching. Edentulous region is automatically determined using panorex line. The atlas is then registered on the region rigidly. To establish compatibility of the tooth shape with other adjacent teeth, we introduce a contour matching process. During the process, the surface of crown is deformed so that it is fitted on the estimated contours. The evaluation of the system is performed for two main parts: analyzing the generated SSMs for teeth and evaluation of reconstructed shape. In case of SSM, the results show that the reconstruction error increases in teeth with more complex geometrical shape. Therefore, the number of required training shapes to reach desired statistical model increases. The tooth shapes estimation results show that they are very similar o real ones. For more complex shapes, the results show acceptability of the similarity measure between estimated and real crown surfaces.
Integration of Triage and Biomedical Devices for Continuous, Real-Time, Automated Patient Monitoring

We have developed a patient triage and monitoring system to facilitate effectiveness patient care during emergency medical situations. This system includes: 1) electronic triage tags, 2) location sensors, 3) vital sign sensors, and 4) robust ad-hoc mesh networking software. This paper summarizes our development of continuous, automated, real-time biomedical sensors and software for use by emergency responders during chaotic pre-hospital settings.
Expression, Regulation, and Mode of Action of the AbiG Abortive Infection System of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris UC653

ABSTRACT The abortive infection system AbiG is encoded by the lactococcal plasmid pCI750. The abiG locus (consisting of two genes,abiGi and abiGii) was examined by Northern blot analysis, revealing two transcripts of approximately 2.8 and 1.5 kb which were homologous to the two gene-specific probes. A transcriptional start site was mapped upstream of abiGi, and it appeared that the two genes were cotranscribed, resulting in the 2.8-kb transcript. The smaller transcript may be the result of independent transcription of abiGii withinabiGi or of the presence of a weak terminator withinabiGii. The locus was shown to be constitutively expressed. Evidence is presented for the possible existence of a second Abi mechanism on pCI750. Examination of phage sk1 RNA synthesis demonstrated that both the subcloned AbiG and, to a greater extent, pCI750 inhibited this process. pCI750 also severely inhibited synthesis of both early and late phage c2 transcripts, while the presence of the subclone resulted in a reduction in late transcript synthesis only.
DIVISION OF THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY � � .,>.. �

Arrow' s result linking� ante Pareto optimality for a pure trade world to competitive equilibrium positions under a complete set of contingent claim markets is summ arized, as is his reinterpretation of � � optimality for the case of an economy with active spot markets. Possible difficulties arising from this reinterpretation are noted. The final section of the paper examines conditions under which an economy with active spot markets will achieve an � ante optimum in the original sense of this term and summ arizes the behavior of such an economy. EX ANTE OPTIMALITY AND SPOT MARKET ECONOMIES Stuart Burness, Ronald Cumm ings and James Quirk*
How do we re-design the treatment? A background paper prepared for the UK Consensus Conference on early chronic kidney disease.

Early chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now known to be a relatively common problem. Prevalence studies worldwide have estimated that between 6% and 11% of the population has CKD [1]. One recent estimate carried out in the UK found that 4.9% of the general practice population studied had an estimated glomerular filtration rate equivalent to stages 3–5 CKD [2]. There is now reliable research evidence to support a variety of clinical interventions that will benefit patients with CKD [3]. However, very little evidence is available in the literature to recommend the most effective way of delivering healthcare for patients with early CKD [3]. These patients comprise a complex group and unfortunately they often have significant comorbid conditions [4,5]. Specialist services would be overwhelmed if they attempted to manage all patients with early CKD [5]. It is important that all countries carefully consider how best to deliver healthcare for this large group of patients in future. This paper will describe the guidance currently available from formal guidelines, research evidence and proposed models of care.
An Isolated High-Power Integrated Charger in Electrified-Vehicle Applications

For electric and hybrid vehicles that use grid power to charge the battery, traction circuit components are not normally engaged during the charging time; hence, there is a possibility of using the traction circuit components in the charger circuit to have an onboard integrated charger. An isolated high-power integrated charger based on a special electrical machine with a double set of stator windings is described. Through the reconfiguration of the motor stator windings in the charging mode, a six-terminal machine is achieved. The so-called motor/generator acts as an isolated three-phase power source after synchronization with the utility grid in the charging mode. This rotary isolated power source constitutes a three-phase boost rectifier (battery charger) with full utilization of the inverter. The motor windings are reconfigured by a relay-based switching device for the charging and traction modes. This paper presents the mathematical model of the motor/generator and explains the system's functionality for the traction and charging modes. Furthermore, the charger grid synchronization and charge control are described. Finally, the simulation results are presented for a practically designed system with a traction power of 25 kW and a possible charge power of 12.5 kW.
Learning by research and development

The research question of this multiple case study is how research and development (R&D) related learning can be realized in externally funded R&D projects. In this study, an integrative learning approach called learning by R&D was implemented for regional-global research collaboration in externally funded R&D projects and to improve collaborative learning and practices by R&D that can be developed in integrative learning spaces such as shared work packages by international research consortiums.
Requirement of Neuronal Ribosome Synthesis for Growth and Maintenance of the Dendritic Tree*

The nucleolus serves as a principal site of ribosome biogenesis but is also implicated in various non-ribosomal functions, including negative regulation of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor p53. Although disruption of the nucleolus may trigger the p53-dependent neuronal death, neurotoxic consequences of a selective impairment of ribosome production are unclear. Here, we report that in rat forebrain neuronal maturation is associated with a remarkable expansion of ribosomes despite postnatal down-regulation of ribosomal biogenesis. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, inhibition of the latter process by knockdowns of ribosomal proteins S6, S14, or L4 reduced ribosome content without disrupting nucleolar integrity, cell survival, and signaling responses to the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Moreover, reduced general protein synthesis and/or formation of RNA stress granules suggested diminished ribosome recruitment to at least some mRNAs. Such a translational insufficiency was accompanied by impairment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated dendritic growth. Finally, RNA stress granules and smaller dendritic trees were also observed when ribosomal proteins were depleted from neurons with established dendrites. Thus, a robust ribosomal apparatus is required to carry out protein synthesis that supports dendritic growth and maintenance. Consequently, deficits of ribosomal biogenesis may disturb neurodevelopment by reducing neuronal connectivity. Finally, as stress granule formation and dendritic loss occur early in neurodegenerative diseases, disrupted homeostasis of ribosomes may initiate and/or amplify neurodegeneration-associated disconnection of neuronal circuitries.
A large fraction of HLA class I ligands are proteasome-generated spliced peptides

New players in the repertoire Antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, activate immunological T cells by presenting them with antigens bound by major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs). The proteasome typically processes these antigens, which include peptides derived from both self and microbial origins. Liepe et al. now report that, surprisingly, a large fraction of peptides bound to class I MHC on multiple human cell types are spliced together by the proteasome from two different fragments of the same protein. Such merged peptides might turn out to be useful in vaccine or cancer immunotherapy development. Science, this issue p. 354 Spliced peptides make up a major fraction of the epitopes presented by MHC class I on multiple human cell types. The proteasome generates the epitopes presented on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules that elicit CD8+ T cell responses. Reports of proteasome-generated spliced epitopes exist, but they have been regarded as rare events. Here, however, we show that the proteasome-generated spliced peptide pool accounts for one-third of the entire HLA class I immunopeptidome in terms of diversity and one-fourth in terms of abundance. This pool also represents a unique set of antigens, possessing particular and distinguishing features. We validated this observation using a range of complementary experimental and bioinformatics approaches, as well as multiple cell types. The widespread appearance and abundance of proteasome-catalyzed peptide splicing events has implications for immunobiology and autoimmunity theories and may provide a previously untapped source of epitopes for use in vaccines and cancer immunotherapy.
Recall is the Proper Evaluation Metric for Word Segmentation

We extensively analyse the correlations and drawbacks of conventionally employed evaluation metrics for word segmentation. Unlike in standard information retrieval, precision favours under-splitting systems and therefore can be misleading in word segmentation. Overall, based on both theoretical and experimental analysis, we propose that precision should be excluded from the standard evaluation metrics and that the evaluation score obtained by using only recall is sufficient and better correlated with the performance of word segmentation systems.
Rheological Behavior and Pharmaceutical Applications of Bacterial Exopolysaccharides

Article history: Received on:04/06/2017 Accepted on: 20/07/2017 Available online: 30/09/2017 Over the last few decades, numerous bacterial exopolysaccharides have been extensively studied for their composition, structure, biosynthesis and functional properties, owing to their unique properties over traditional plant-derived gums and synthetic polysaccharides. They have been employed in food processing industries as rheology modifiers, gelling agents, in oil drilling and cement industries. But their full-fledged commercialization is yet to be achieved and their scope and possibilities in pharmaceutical field and optimized drug delivery are yet to be explored. The present review outlines, critically evaluates and summarizes the research outcomes on structure, solubility, solution behavior, rheological characterization, gelation mechanism and potential industrial and pharmaceutical applications of curdlan, polysaccharide 13140, Fucopol, levan, sphingans, succinoglycan and several other bacterial exopolysaccharides in their native form and also their derivatives. It also aims to identify and propose potential drug delivery systems where gelling and non gel-forming exopolysaccharides can be utilized successfully for development of stable, acceptable and effective dosage form.