Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Generalization of the CMA-ES Algorithm for Functions with Matrix Input

This paper proposes a novel modification to the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) introduced by (Hansen and Ostermeier, 1996) under a special problem setting. In this paper the case is considered when the function which has to be optimized takes a matrix as input. Here an approach is presented where without vectorizing directly matrices are sampled and column and row-wise covariance matrices are adapted in each iteration of the proposed evolution strategy to adapt the mutation distribution. The method seems to be able to capture correlations in the entries of the considered matrix and adapt the corresponding covariance matrices accordingly. Numerical tests are performed on the proposed method to show advantages and disadvantages.
Effects of Tetraethylammonium, 4‐Aminopyridine and Bretylium on Cardiovascular Tissues from Normo‐ and Hypertensive Rats

Our objective was to test whether potassium‐channel blockade is a potential positive inotropic mechanism for heart failure. Thus we studied the effects of tetraethylammonium, 4‐aminopyridine and bretylium on left ventricular action potentials, left ventricular contractility in the absence and presence of hypertrophy, and on isolated blood vessels from Wistar Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
Cancer Prevention Studies in p53-Deficient Mice

Future progress in mechanism-based cancer prevention research may be facilitated by animal models displaying specific genetic susceptibilities for cancer, such as mice defi cient in 1 (+/-) or both (-/-) alleles of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. We observed in p53-/- mice that calorie restriction (CR) increased the latency of spontaneous tumor development (mostly lymphomas) by approximately 75%, decreased serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and leptin levels, slowed thymocyte cell cycle traverse, and induced apoptosis in immature thymocytes. In p53+/- mice, CR and a 1 d/wk fast each delayed spontaneous tumor development (a mix of lymphomas, sarcomas, and epithelial tumors) and decreased serum IGF-1 and leptin levels, even when begun late in life. In p53+/- Wnt-1 transgenic mice, a mammary tumor model, the same interventions increased mammary tumor latency and reduced mean serum IGF-1 and leptin levels to <50 % of those of control mice. We capitalized on the susceptibility of p53+/- mice to chronic, low-dose aromatic amine—induced bladder carcinogenesis to develop a useful model for evaluating bladder cancer prevention approaches. These examples clearly indicate that mice with specific (and humanlike) genetic susceptibilities for cancer are powerful models for testing interventions that may inhibit carcinogenesis in humans.
A computable phenotype for asthma case identification in adult and pediatric patients: External validation in the Chicago Area Patient-Outcomes Research Network (CAPriCORN)

ABSTRACT Objective: Comprehensive, rapid, and accurate identification of patients with asthma for clinical care and engagement in research efforts is needed. The original development and validation of a computable phenotype for asthma case identification occurred at a single institution in Chicago and demonstrated excellent test characteristics. However, its application in a diverse payer mix, across different health systems and multiple electronic health record vendors, and in both children and adults was not examined. The objective of this study is to externally validate the computable phenotype across diverse Chicago institutions to accurately identify pediatric and adult patients with asthma. Methods: A cohort of 900 asthma and control patients was identified from the electronic health record between January 1, 2012 and November 30, 2014. Two physicians at each site independently reviewed the patient chart to annotate cases. Results: The inter-observer reliability between the physician reviewers had a κ-coefficient of 0.95 (95% CI 0.93–0.97). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of the computable phenotype were all above 94% in the full cohort. Conclusions: The excellent positive and negative predictive values in this multi-center external validation study establish a useful tool to identify asthma cases in in the electronic health record for research and care. This computable phenotype could be used in large-scale comparative-effectiveness trials.
Niem-Produkte: Herstellung, Standardisierung und Qualitätssicherung

Ein wesentlicher Anwendungsbereich von Neem-Produkten ist der Pflanzenschutz. Von der Substanzgruppe der Azadirachtine, die in den Kernen des Neem-Baumes enthalten sind und zur Gruppe der Limonoide zahlen, wurden in einer Vielzahl wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten ausgezeichnete Wirksamkeiten gegenuber Schadinsekten beschrieben. Die Firma Trifolio-M entwickelte Extraktionsverfahren, die weitgehend unabhangig von der Qualitat der Neem-Kerne die Anreicherung des Hauptwirkstoffes AzadirachtinA in dem Extrakt „NeemAzal“ in gleichbleibender Zusammensetzung gewahrleisten.
Clinicians’ knowledge of informed consent

Objective: To audit doctors’ knowledge of informed consent. Design: 10 consent scenarios with “true”, “false”, or “don’t know” answers were completed by doctors who care for children at a large district general hospital. These questions tested clinicians’ knowledge of who could give consent in different clinical situations. Setting: Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK. Results: 51 doctors participated (25 paediatricians and 26 other clinicians). Paediatricians scored higher than other clinicians (average correct response 69% v 49%). Only 36% (9/25) of paediatricians and 8% (2/26) of other clinicians realised that the biological father of a child born before 1 December 2003 needed a court order or a parental responsibility agreement to acquire parental responsibility, and thus be able to consent on behalf of his child, if he was not married to the child’s mother. Non-paediatric clinicians were unsure or incorrect when tested on situations where people with parental responsibility do not agree, or where young people (<16 years), who are Fraser competent do not want to consult their parents. Most clinicians did not know that the parents of a 20-year-old man with severe learning difficulties are unable to consent to surgery on his behalf, and many non-paediatricians were unclear on who could give consent when a child lived with foster parents. Conclusion: Clinicians who obtain consent for the treatment of children need to increase their knowledge on who is able to give informed consent to ensure best (legal and safe) practice.
Biochemical Properties of the Cdc42-associated Tyrosine Kinase ACK1

ACK1 (activated Cdc42-associated kinase 1) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase and the only tyrosine kinase known to interact with Cdc42. To characterize the enzymatic properties of ACK, we have expressed and purified active ACK using the baculovirus/Sf9 cell system. This ACK1 construct contains (from N to C terminus) the kinase catalytic domain, SH3 domain, and Cdc42-binding Cdc42/Rac interactive binding (CRIB) domain. We characterized the substrate specificity of ACK1 using synthetic peptides, and we show that the specificity of the ACK1 catalytic domain most closely resembles that of Abl. Purified ACK1 undergoes autophosphorylation, and autophosphorylation enhances kinase activity. We identified Tyr284 in the activation loop of ACK1 as the primary autophosphorylation site using mass spectrometry. When expressed in COS-7 cells, the Y284F mutant ACK1 showed dramatically reduced levels of tyrosine phosphorylation. Although the SH3 and CRIB domains of purified ACK1 are able to bind ligands (a polyproline peptide and Cdc42, respectively), the addition of ligands did not stimulate tyrosine kinase activity. To characterize potential interacting partners for ACK1, we screened several SH2 and SH3 domains for their ability to bind to full-length ACK1 or to the catalytic-SH3-CRIB construct. ACK1 interacts most strongly with the SH3 domains of Src family kinases (Src or Hck) via its C-terminal proline-rich domain. Co-expression of Hck with kinase-inactive ACK1(K158R) in mammalian cells resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of ACK1, suggesting that ACK1 is a substrate for Hck. Our data suggest that Hck is a novel binding partner for ACK1 that can regulate ACK1 activity by phosphorylation.
Autosomal recessive inheritance of RYR1 mutations in a congenital myopathy with cores

Abstract—Central core disease (CCD) is a congenital myopathy due to dominant mutations in the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1). The authors report three patients from two consanguineous families with symptoms of a congenital myopathy, cores on muscle biopsy, and confirmed linkage to the RYR1 locus. Molecular genetic studies in one family identified a V4849I homozygous missense mutation in the RYR1 gene. This report suggests a congenital myopathy associated with recessive RYR1 mutations.
Selective recruitment of single motor units in human flexor digitorum superficialis muscle during flexion of individual fingers

Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is an extrinsic multi‐tendoned muscle which flexes the proximal interphalangeal joints of the four fingers. It comprises four digital components, each with a tendon that inserts onto its corresponding finger. To determine the degree to which these digital components can be selectively recruited by volition, we recorded the activity of a single motor unit in one component via an intramuscular electrode while the subject isometrically flexed each of the remaining fingers, one at a time. The finger on which the unit principally acted was defined as the ‘test finger’ and that which flexed isometrically was the ‘active’ finger. Activity in 79 units was recorded. Isometric finger flexion forces of 50% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) activated less than 50% of single units in components of FDS acting on fingers that were not voluntarily flexed. With two exceptions, the median recruitment threshold for all active–test finger combinations involving the index, middle, ring and little finger test units was between 49 and 60% MVC (60% MVC being the value assigned to those not recruited). The exceptions were flexion of the little finger while recording from ring finger units (median: 40% MVC), and vice versa (median: 2% MVC). For all active–test finger combinations, only 35/181 units were activated when the active finger flexed at less than 20% MVC, and the fingers were adjacent for 28 of these. Functionally, to recruit FDS units during grasping and lifting, relatively heavy objects were required, although systematic variation occurred with the width of the object. In conclusion, FDS components can be selectively activated by volition and this may be especially important for grasping at high forces with one or more fingers.
Language function and dysfunction in corticobasal degeneration

Objectives: The authors assessed language functioning in corticobasal degeneration (CBD), an area that has received little systematic study. Aphasia has been reported occasionally, and the authors hypothesized that appropriate assessments would reveal at least mild language impairment, particularly affecting phonologic (sound-based) processing, even in cases without frank aphasia. Methods: A series of 10 unselected patients with CBD (one with pathologic confirmation) were administered neuropsychological tests assessing the following aspects of cognitive functioning: verbal fluency, naming, reading, oral spelling, auditory-verbal short-term memory, phoneme blending and segmentation, visuospatial skills, and semantic memory. Results: Phonologic and spelling impairments were prevalent, even in nonaphasic patients. The prevalence of visuospatial, constructional, and frontal impairments, demonstrated in previous research, was also replicated. A minority of patients had deficits in semantic memory, naming, and reading, but the impairments were usually mild. Conclusions: The authors found phonologic impairment to be a typical feature of CBD. There is substantial overlap between progressive nonfluent aphasia and CBD, and the linguistic impairment can be thought of as a continuum, with mild phonologic impairment at one end and severe aphasia at the other.
Comparison of Quality of Life Measures in a Depressed Population

Measures of quality of life have been increasingly used in clinical trials. When designing a study, researchers must decide which quality of life measure to use. Some literature provides guidance through general recommendations, though lacks quantitative comparisons. In this report, 2 general quality of life measures, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), are compared in a depressed population. STAR*D data were used to analyze the associations among the SF-12 and the Q-LES-Q. Each measure covers 6 domains, overlapping on 5 (health, self-esteem/well-being, community/productivity, social/love relationships, leisure/creativity), with the SF-12 addressing family and the Q-LES-Q addressing living situations. Strong item-by-item associations exist only between the Q-LES-Q and the SF-12 physical health items. The 2 measures overlap on the domains covered while the lack of correlation between the 2 measures may be attributed to the perspective of each question as the Q-LES-Q measures satisfaction while the SF-12 measures the patient's perception of function.
Anal intercourse and sexual risk factors among college women, 1993-2000.

OBJECTIVE To determine trends and sexual risk behaviors associated with anal intercourse among college women over an 8-year period. METHODS A sexual activity questionnaire was used to collect data from 813 students enrolled in a women's health course. RESULTS Thirty-two percent of the women had engaged in anal intercourse, and this measure was consistent across time. Women who had engaged in anal intercourse were significantly younger at first intercourse and had a greater lifetime number of partners and more reported STIs. CONCLUSION This study underscores the importance of expanding our understanding of sexual behaviors of college women and openly addressing anal intercourse as a part of the sexual repertoire of college women.
Influence of Extraversion and Neuroticism on Risk Attitude , Risk Perception and Return Expectations

We analyze the influence of individuals’ degree of extraversion and neuroticism on the determinants of their risk taking behavior in investment decisions. Since there are no studies which investigate the influence of personality traits on risk attitude, risk perception and return expectations in investment decisions simultaneously, we provide a meaningful contribution to existing literature. We use a unique dataset which contains 342 undergraduate business students’ questionnaire responses measuring the students’ degree of extraversion and neuroticism as well as their risk attitude, risk perception and return expectations. Therefore, we are able to determine which determinants of risk taking are influenced by extraversion and neuroticism and induce individuals to take investment risks. We find that extraversion and neuroticism affect individuals’ risk attitude. More extraverted individuals are less risk averse than less extraverted individuals whereas more neurotic subjects are more risk averse than less neurotic ones. Further research should consider individuals’ personality as an influence factor on the determinants of risk taking behavior in investment decisions.
Terms of Trade Volatility, Real Exchange Rate Volatility and Growth: Evidence from Commodity Terms of Trade Shocks

This paper studies the effects of terms of trade volatility on growth. First, we present a simple two-sector model where it is costly to initiate tradable goods production and terms of trade volatility decreases the labor force share of the tradables sector and GDP. Second, we show that the authorities can use international liquidity (reserves) to stabilize the real exchange rate, restore the efficient labor allocation and increase output. When we test the model using a new panel dataset, we find that, consistent with the predictions, commodity terms of trade volatility increases real exchange rate volatility and decreases GDP, but countries with large reserve holdings can prevent these effects. As expected, our results arise mainly from emerging markets and commodity exporters, where it is probably more difficult for producers to hedge their income.
Commentary on a Randomized Clinical Trial of Comparing Monophasic Monodensified and Biphasic Nonanimal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers in Treatment of Asian Nasolabial Folds

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have arguably become the most versatile and widely used subset of volumizing fillers in the United States. Its hydrating properties, smoothness of gel formulations, prefilled syringes, its low antigenic properties, and the ability to immediately reverse the product with hyaluronidase, make HA fillers a popular choice for both physicians and patients. Furthermore, as physicians, we are always on the search for the optimal treatment for our patients. This search has promoted continued development of new HAs, both monophasic and biphasic with varying properties such as monodensified versions.
Incomplete Contracts with Asymmetric Information: Exclusive Versus Optional Remedies

Scholars have been debating for years the comparative advantage of damages and specific performance. Yet, most work has compared a single remedy contract to another single remedy contract. But contract law provides the non-breaching party with a variety of optional remedies to choose from in case of a breach, and parties themselves regularly write contracts which provide such options. In this article, we start filling this gap by studying multi-remedy contracts. Specifically, we compare a contract that grants the non-breaching party an option to choose between liquidated damages and specific performance with an exclusive remedy contract, which restricts the non-breaching party's remedy to liquidated damages only. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Poultry Body Temperature Contributes to Invasion Control through Reduced Expression of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 Genes in Salmonella enterica Serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) are foodborne pathogens, and outbreaks are often associated with poultry products. Chickens are typically asymptomatic when colonized by these serovars; however, the factors contributing to this observation are uncharacterized. Whereas symptomatic mammals have a body temperature between 37°C and 39°C, chickens have a body temperature of 41°C to 42°C. Here, in vivo experiments using chicks demonstrated that numbers of viable S. Typhimurium or S. Enteritidis bacteria within the liver and spleen organ sites were ≥4 orders of magnitude lower than those within the ceca. When similar doses of S. Typhimurium or S. Enteritidis were given to C3H/HeN mice, the ratio of the intestinal concentration to the liver/spleen concentration was 1:1. In the avian host, this suggested poor survival within these tissues or a reduced capacity to traverse the host epithelial layer and reach liver/spleen sites or both. Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) promotes localization to liver/spleen tissues through invasion of the epithelial cell layer. Following in vitro growth at 42°C, SPI-1 genes sipC, invF, and hilA and the SPI-1 rtsA activator were downregulated compared to expression at 37°C. Overexpression of the hilA activators fur, fliZ, and hilD was capable of inducing hilA-lacZ at 37°C but not at 42°C despite the presence of similar levels of protein at the two temperatures. In contrast, overexpression of either hilC or rtsA was capable of inducing hilA and sipC at 42°C. These data indicate that physiological parameters of the poultry host, such as body temperature, have a role in modulating expression of virulence.
The second peptidoglycan hydrolase of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 covalently binds penicillin

A second peptidoglycan hydrolase (muramidase-2) of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 (Enterococcus hirae) has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme has been shown to be a beta-1,4-N-acetylmuramoylhydrolase (muramidase; EC 3.2.1.17) and to differ in substrate specificity from a previously isolated muramidase. Purified enzyme appears as two protein staining bands with molecular masses of 125 and 75 kilodaltons (kDa) on polyacrylamide gels after sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. Elution and renaturation of protein bands from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels showed that both proteins have muramidase-2 activity. Both proteins have been shown to bind radioactive benzylpenicillin and have the same electrophoretic mobilities as penicillin-binding proteins 1 and 5 present in membrane preparations of this organism, respectively. Incubation of a [14C]penicillin G-labeled 125-kDa form of the enzyme with crude alkaline extracts from S. faecium (which did not contain added proteinase inhibitors) showed the endogenous conversion of the radiolabeled 125-kDa form to the radiolabeled 75-kDa form of the enzyme.
What works? A review of evaluated alcohol misuse interventions among aboriginal Australians.

AIMS To identify which intervention strategies have been effective in reducing excessive consumption of alcohol, and related harm, among some segments of Australia's Aboriginal population. DESIGN Items dealing with 'alcohol' and 'evaluation' (27) were identified from the comprehensive electronic data base on Aboriginal alcohol and other drug issues, maintained by Australia's National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse. From these were selected all reports (14) dealing specifically with evaluation of particular intervention projects. These were grouped and systematically reviewed under the broad categories of treatment, health promotion education, acute interventions and supply reduction. FINDINGS A broad range of intervention strategies has been employed. However, few systematic evaluations have been undertaken and the methodologies employed have been generally insufficient to allow robust generalization. The impact of most interventions appears limited but, in part, this may be a function of inadequate resourcing and programme support. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limitations of the evaluation reports, several conclusions can be tentatively drawn. It appears there is a need to employ a broader range of treatment models and complementary intervention strategies. Interventions are generally inadequately resourced. There is a suggestion that supply reduction interventions may be effective. Most importantly, there is a pressing need for more rigorous evaluation studies in cooperation with Aboriginal community organizations.
Historical records of yellow-eyed penguin ( Megadyptes antipodes ) in southern New Zealand

The yellow-eyed penguin (Megndyptes antipodes) on the South Island of New Zealand was believed to have suffered a population decline that continued into the 1980s. Unpublished census results from L. Richdale (1930s-1950s) and S. Sharpe (1950s-1960s) for Otago Peninsula show that there were only 44 nests in 1940, but the number increascd in the 1940s-1960s. Numbers peaked at 276 nests in the mid-1980s. Subsequent decreases and a crash to 79 nests in 1990 led to concerns for the viability of the population, but years of good survival and breeding allowed a recovery. The fluctuations were probably drivcn by interplays of human impacts and environmental variation. Reservation of breeding areas, revegetation, and predator control have reduced the deleterious human impacts and given the species a chance to increase numbers and withstand adverse fluctuations in the cnvironment. Moore, l? J. 2001. Historical records of yellow-eyed penguin (Mqadyptes antipodes) in southern New Zealand. Notornis 48(3): 145-156.