Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
World Atlas of Great Apes and their Conservation

Despite the dedicated efforts of many individuals and organizations, the great apes—our closest living relatives—are on the very edge of extinction. This sweeping atlas provides a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about all six species of great apes—chimpanzee, bonobo, Sumatran orangutan, Bornean orangutan, eastern gorilla, and western lowland gorilla. Created in association with The Great Apes Survival Project (GRASP), this book gives a thorough background on ape behavior and ecology for each species, including detailed habitat requirements, the apes' ecological role, and the possible consequences of their decline. World Atlas of Great Apes also offers a full description of the threats, current conservation efforts, and additional protection needed for each species across its entire range. Many full-color maps and illustrations make the abundance of information accessible to a broad readership, from specialists and policymakers to general readers concerned about the survival of these charismatic primates.
Description of Symmetric and Skew-Symmetric Solution Set

We consider a linear system $Ax=b$, where $A$ is varying inside a given interval matrix $A$, and $b$ is varying inside a given interval vector $b$. The solution set of such a system is described by the well-known Oettli-Prager Theorem. But if we are restricted only on symmetric/skew-symmetric matrices $A\in\mathbf{A}$, the problem is much more complicated. So far, the symmetric/skew-symmetric solution set description could be obtained only by a lengthy Fourier-Motzkin elimination applied on each orthant. We present an explicit necessary and sufficient characterization of the symmetric and skew-symmetric solution set by means of nonlinear inequalities. The number of the inequalities is, however, still exponential w.r. t. the problem dimension.
Discovery and disentanglement of protein aligned pattern clusters to reveal subtle functional subgroups

Proteins from the same family have similar functions. Hence, it is important to discover from a protein family conserved sequence patterns with variations to unveil the functionality of a functional domain. Aligned Pattern Clusters (APCs) are knowledge-rich representations comparing with probabilistic models. If significant aligned residue associations (ARAs) were discovered in APCs, they could reveal subtle functional or subgroup characteristics. However, when ARAs corresponding to different subgroups/classes were entangled due to certain subtle factors, to disentangle them to reveal succinct ARA groups is a big challenge. This paper presents a novel method known as Aligned Residual Association Discovery and Disentanglement (ARADD), to meet such challenge. ARADD first constructs an ARA Frequency Matrix (ARAFM) and converts it into a Statistical Residual (SR) Vector Space (SRV) to suppress noise. SR measures the deviation of the observed frequency of an event against that when the occurrence is random. By applying Principal Component Decomposition (PCD) on the SRV, we obtain PCs ranked by their variance. The ARAs of an AR with others can be represented by an AR-vector whose coordinates account for its associations with others. When the projection of an AR vector on a PC Space is reprojected to the SRV (abbreviated by RSRVs), its coordinates reflect the SRs of that AR associating with other ARs. Experiments showed that the ARADD can a) disentangle entangled ARAs in APCs, b) reveal subtle AR clusters relating to classes or ARAs within or between subgroups — significant to proteomic research, drug discovery and personalized medicine
Angiotensin receptor blockade and risk of cancer in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide case-control study.

PURPOSE The objective of this case-control study was to evaluate the risk of malignancy in diabetic patients who received angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 21,750 new diabetic patients who started antihypertensive treatment were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims database during the period from July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000. As of December 31, 2007, patients with incident cancer were included as cases and up to four age- and sex-matched controls were selected by risk-set sampling. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs between ARB use and cancer incidence, adjusted for other types of antihypertensive drugs, insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, statins, and underlying diseases. RESULTS Among the 1,281 patients with incident cancer and 5,104 controls, 333 (26.0%) and 1,341 (26.3%), respectively, received ARBs (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.14). There was no statistically significant association between the effect of ARBs as a class and cancer incidence after adjustment for covariates (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.10). Among the individual ARBs, losartan decreased the risk (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.97) and candesartan (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.05 to 3.06) and telmisartan (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.97 to 2.43) possibly increased the risk of occurrence of malignancy. CONCLUSION The results did not show an effect of ARBs as a class on increasing cancer incidence in patients with diabetes. However, there was a negative association of losartan but a positive one of candesartan and telmisartan with the overall occurrence of cancer. The underlying mechanism certainly requires further investigation.
Abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA is associated with psychological symptoms in individuals with the fragile X premutation

Until recently, individuals with premutation alleles (55–200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene were believed to be psychologically unaffected. However, the recent documentation of abnormal elevation of FMR1 mRNA, discovery of fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and reports of psychiatric disorders in children and adults with the premutation have suggested a pathogenic gene–brain–behavior mechanism. In a large collaborative study, 68 men and 144 women with the FMR1 premutation completed a psychological symptoms checklist and FMR1 genetic testing, including determination of CGG repeat size, percentage of FMR1 protein (FMRP)‐positive lymphocytes, and FMR1 mRNA levels. Relative to published norms, men and women with FXTAS symptoms reported higher levels of several types of psychological symptoms. In addition, men and women with the premutation and no overt evidence of FXTAS reported higher levels of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms. Elevated FMR1 mRNA, but not CGG repeat size or reduced FMRP (as measured by immunocytochemistry), was significantly associated with increased psychological symptoms, predominantly obsessive‐compulsive symptoms and psychoticism, in premutation men with and without FXTAS symptoms. There was no relationship between CGG repeat size, FMR1 mRNA or FMRP and psychological symptoms in premutation women unless the sample was restricted to those with skewed X‐activation ratio toward >50% active premutation alleles. The results of this study support the hypothesis that FMR1 function is associated with psychological difficulties in individuals with the premutation, and provide evidence concordant with an RNA toxic gain‐of‐function model in a neuropsychiatric phenotype. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Communicative and cognitive pressures in semantic alignment

Descriptions used by participants in conversation tend to be progressively systematized. A paradigmatic example of this phenomenon is the global shift from concrete to abstract descriptions observed in Maze Task dialogues. We propose to explain this trend by the appeal to communicative and cognitive pressures exerted on participants during conversation. We conclude that models of meaning coordination in dialogue should incorporate communicative and cognitive biases towards expressiveness and ease of processing.
Innovation in nursing homes: which facilities are the early adopters?

PURPOSE This study examined organizational and market factors associated with nursing homes that are most likely to be early adopters of innovations. Early adopter institutions, defined as the first 20% of facilities to adopt an innovation, are important because they subsequently facilitate the diffusion of innovations to others in the industry. DESIGN AND METHODS Two groups of innovations were examined, special care units and subacute care services. I used discrete-time logistic regression analysis and nationally representative data from 13,162 facilities at risk of being early adopters of innovations during twelve 6-month intervals from 1992 to 1997. RESULTS Organizational factors that increase the likelihood of early innovation adoption are larger bed size, chain membership, and high levels of private-pay residents. Four market factors that increase the likelihood of early innovation adoption are: a retrospective Medicaid reimbursement methodology, a more competitive environment, higher average income in the county, and a higher number of hospital beds in the county. IMPLICATIONS This analysis shows that organizational and market characteristics of nursing homes affect their propensity toward early adoption of innovations. Some of the results may be useful for nursing home administrators and policy makers attempting to promote innovation.
A Statistical Approach for Identifying Memory Leaks in Cloud Applications

This position paper describes the attempt to automate the statistical approach for memory leak detection in JavaTM applications. Proposed system extends the basic statistical memory leak detection method with further intelligence to pinpoint the source of the memory leak in the source code. As the method adds only small overhead in runtime it is designed to be used in production systems and will help detecting memory leaks in production environments without constraint to the source of the leak. Architecture of the proposed approach is intended to use in cloud applications.
AC sense circuit for Phase Change Memory based crossbar memory

This paper presents a novel sensing technique for Phase Change Memory (PCM) based memory crossbar. The technique aims to reduce consumed and leaked energy in crossbar memory structure by using AC current for sensing, where a low pass filter is utilized and the level of attenuation of the signal indicates the stored state. The proposed sensing scheme was studied in simulation environment and has displayed over 50% reduction of the consumed and leaked read process power compared to standard DC sensing scheme as expected.
Further characterization of specific drug binding sites on human serum albumin.

The fluorescent probes 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonamide and dansylsarcosine function as specific markers for two distinct binding sites for anionic drugs on human serum albumin (HSA). The binding of drugs to site I or II was detected by measuring the displacement of these probes. The results give an indication of some of the structural features required for binding at these sites. Stearic acid binding to HSA induced different conformational changes in the albumin at sites I and II, which were detected by changes in the fluorescence and/or strength of binding of probes specific for the two sites. This provides further evidence for qualitative differences between the two sites. The specificity of the sites for particular drugs, even at high drug to albumin ratios, was established, and the specificity and characteristics of the two sites on human adult and neonatal sera were shown to be similar to those on crystalline HSA.
Elevated levels of transforming growth factors beta 2 and beta 3 in lambdoid sutures from children with persistent plagiocephaly.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the pertinent history and physical findings specific to the subset of patients with a progressive posterior skull deformity, requiring surgery to correct their deformity. PATIENTS Since the Academy of Pediatrics issued its recommendation on supine positioning of infants to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 1992, 73 children have presented to the University of Virginia Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic with posterior-skull deformities. The majority were successfully managed with conservative therapy, but in six patients, the deformity was severe and persistent, requiring surgical correction. All six children were older (7.5-12 mo), presenting with more severe morphologic appearances and a higher incidence of associated neurodevelopmental delay. Three had family backgrounds of isolated craniosynostosis. METHODS Characteristics of these patients were examined to determine why they may have differed from those that responded to conservative management. Immunohistochemical staining of their lambdoid sutures was performed. RESULTS Significantly increased staining for TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3, potent stimulators of bone cell growth and differentiation, was seen in all 'affected' sutures from the flattened side of the skull, compared to unaffected sutures from the protruding side of the skull-a pattern similar to that seen during normal bony obliteration of calvarial sutures. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with posterior plagiocephaly associated with positioning responded to conservative management, while a small subset of patients with persistent posterior skull deformation required surgical intervention. A genetic basis for the latter patients' persistent plagiocephaly, rather than positioning, cannot be ruled out. Genetics, prolonged external pressure against the sutures, or a combination of these factors may lead to permanently raised levels of growth factors in 'affected' sutures.
Reliability and dispersion of nasality ratings.

Reliable average scale values of nasality have been obtained in many studies using the psychological scaling method of equal-appearing intervals. In these studies, reliability has generally been evaluated through the use of correlation procedures. Many investigators have also computed a Q value, the semi—interquartile range, to measure the dispersion of ratings assigned by the judges to each stimulus. The mean Q value has then been reported as an index of interjudge reliability. The speech stimuli presented to the judges for rating of nasality have typically been of one or more of four types: isolated vowels, CVC syl— lables, connected speech played forward, and connected speech played backward. In those studies (10, 12, I4, 15) in which more than one type of speech stimulus have been presented to the judges, there has been a tendency for the reliability coefficient and mean Q value to vary systematically with the stimulus type. There is evidence, for example, that smaller mean Q values are obtained for connected speech samples rated during forward play, than for connected speech samples rated during backward play, or for isolated vowels (10, 12, 14, 15). Differences in the dispersion of nasality ratings assigned to various types of speech stimuli suggest that the degree to which nasal voice quality can be defined reliably by judges varies as a function of the speech stimulus. In no study, however, have measures of dispersion or reliability been obtained for all four types of speech stimuli produced by the same speakers or rated by the same judges. Moreover, data regarding the reliability and dispersion of ratings of specific vowels, CVC syllables, and connected speech sam— ples within each of the four types of speech stimuli are unavailable. While mean Q values have been reported as measures of the reliability of average scale values of nasality, little interest has been shown in the Q values of subject groups or individual subjects. Thurstone and Chave (17) used Q (in this instance, the interquartile range) as a measure of the ambiguity of the sample, the sample in their case being a statement The authors are affiliated with the
Comparative Pharmacokinetic Changes and Drug Therapy in an Older Population

The aging process—physiologic, pathophysiologic and sociogenic—increases the variability of patient reactions to drug therapy, even within the same patient. This variability in the elderly patient may cause drug toxicity or subtherapeutic levels, particularly of drugs with narrow therapeutic indexes. An analysis of age‐related changes in pharmacokinetics, essential to proper geriatric care, examines the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. Delayed gastric emptying slows drug absorption, because most drugs are absorbed in the small intestine. The rise in gastric pH with age will affect drugs whose absorption is pH‐dependent. Changes in total body water and the ratio of lean to fatty tissue affect drug distribution; thus, the lipophilicity of a drug must be considered. Drug metabolism is altered chiefly because of changes in the oxidative microsomal enzymes of the liver. Reduced hepatic blood flow also contributes to a decrease in hepatic clearance. Notably, cimetidine seems to inhibit the oxidative metabolism of drugs by the liver. In the case of some drugs, metabolism begins with enzymes of the intestinal mucosa. Declining renal function, a reduction in both renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, is a major contributor to drug toxicity in the elderly. Methods for using serum creatinine to determine renal function are discussed. Guidelines and procedures for the clinical monitoring of drug “overdose” in the elderly are presented.
Effects of Systematic Formative Evaluation: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis investigated the effects of formative evaluation procedures on student achievement. The data source was 21 controlled studies, which generated 96 relevant effect sizes, with an average weighted effect size of . 70. The magnitude of the effect of formative evaluation was associated with publication type, data-evaluation method, data display, and use of behavior modification. Implications for special education practice are discussed.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA PENGETAHUAN DAN DUKUNGAN KELUARGA TERHADAP KEPATUHAN PENDERITA DIABETES MELITUS (DM) DALAM PENATALAKSANAAN DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS SRONDOL KECAMATAN BANYUMANIK SEMARANG

Latar belakang: Prevalensi penderita Diabetes Melitus (DM) di dunia dari tahun ke tahun mengalami peningkatan. Penyakit ini bersifat kronis sehingga memerlukan adaptasi seumur hidup bagi penderitanya. Kepatuhan penderita DM dalam penatalaksanaan sangat penting untuk menghindari masalah penurunan derajat kesehatan. Kepatuhan penderita dalam penatalaksanan dapat dipengaruhi oleh pengetahuan dan dukungan keluarga. Tujuan: Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan dan dukungan keluarga terhadap kepatuhan penderita dalam penatalaksanaan DMÂ Â di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Srondol Kecamatan Banyumanik, Semarang. Metode: Metode penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif berjenis studi deskriptif korelatif dengan menggunakan teknik crossectional. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik total sampling dengan jumlah responden sebanyak 60 orang. Pengambilan data menggunakan kuesioner yang terdiri dari : karakteristik demografi, pengetahuan, dukungan keluarga, dan kepatuhan. Hasil: Hasil analisis univariat menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas responden berjenis kelamin wanita, pendidikan responden sebagian besar adalah SD, lebih dari setengah responden tidak bekerja, dan mayoritas memiliki upah di bawah UMR. Hasil analisis korelatif menunjukkan ada hubungan yang signifikan antara pengetahuan dengan kepatuhan penderita DM dengan p value 0,016 dan ada hubungan yang signifikan antara dukungan keluarga dengan kepatuhan penderita DM dengan p value 0,034. Kesimpulan: Semakin baik pengetahuan dan dukungan keluarga yang dimiliki penderita DM maka akan meningkatkan kepatuhan penderita DM dalam melakukan penatalaksanaan DM. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat dijadikan bahan kajian untuk membuat program intervensi keperawatan yang tepat dalam meningkatkan derajat kesehatan penderita DM.
Changes in Superhelicity Are Introduced into Closed Circular DNA by Binding of High Mobility Group Protein I/Y (*)

Mammalian high mobility group HMG-I/Y chromatin proteins bind to the minor groove of A•T-rich DNA sequences with high affinity both in vivo and in vitro. Topoisomerase I-mediated relaxation assays, analyzed by one- and two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis, indicate that binding of recombinant human HMG-I/Y to closed circular DNA introduces positive supercoils at low protein to nucleotide molar ratios and negative supercoils at higher ratios. This is interpreted to mean that HMG-I/Y binding initially causes bending of the DNA helix followed by unwinding of the helix. In contrast, binding of another minor groove binding ligand, netropsin, introduces positive supercoils only. An in vitro produced mutant HMG-I/Y protein lacking the negatively charged carboxyl-terminal domain binds A•T-rich DNA approximately 1.4-fold better than the native protein, yet it is estimated to be 8-10-fold more effective at introducing negative supercoils. This finding suggests that the highly acidic C-terminal region of the HMG-I/Y protein may function as a regulatory domain influencing the amount of topological change induced in DNA substrates by binding of the protein. Footprinting of HMG-I/Y on negatively supercoiled A•T-rich DNA using diethylpyrocarbonate suggests that the protein is able to recognize, bind to, and alter the conformation of non-B-form DNA.
Early Withdrawal of Calcineurin Inhibitors and Everolimus Monotherapy in de novo Liver Transplant Recipients Preserves Renal Function

We designed a randomized trial to assess whether the early withdrawal of cyclosporine (CsA) followed by the initiation of everolimus (Evr) monotherapy in de novo liver transplantation (LT) patients would result in superior renal function compared to a CsA‐based immunosuppression protocol. All patients were treated with CsA for the first 10 days and then randomized to receive Evr in combination with CsA up to day 30, then either continued on Evr monotherapy (Evr group) or maintained on CsA with/without mycophenolate mofetil (CsA group) in case of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Seventy‐eight patients were randomized (Evr n = 52; CsA n = 26). The 1‐year freedom from efficacy failure in Evr group was 75% versus 69.2% in CsA group, p = 0.36. There was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between the two groups. Mean modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) was significantly better in the Evr group at 12 months (87.7 ± 26.1 vs. 59.9 ± 12.6 mL/min; p < 0.001). The incidence of CKD stage ≥3 (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min) was higher in the CsA group at 1 year (52.2% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.005). The results indicate that early withdrawal of CsA followed by Evr monotherapy in de novo LT patients is associated with an improvement in renal function, with a similar incidence of rejection and major complications.