Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Notch signaling in establishing the hemilineages of secondary neurons in Drosophila melanogaster

The secondary neurons generated in the thoracic central nervous system of Drosophila arise from a hemisegmental set of 25 neuronal stem cells, the neuroblasts (NBs). Each NB undergoes repeated asymmetric divisions to produce a series of smaller ganglion mother cells (GMCs), which typically divide once to form two daughter neurons. We find that the two daughters of the GMC consistently have distinct fates. Using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we examined the role of Notch signaling in establishing neuronal fates within all of the thoracic secondary lineages. In all cases, the ‘A’ (NotchON) sibling assumes one fate and the ‘B’ (NotchOFF) sibling assumes another, and this relationship holds throughout the neurogenic period, resulting in two major neuronal classes: the A and B hemilineages. Apparent monotypic lineages typically result from the death of one sibling throughout the lineage, resulting in a single, surviving hemilineage. Projection neurons are predominantly from the B hemilineages, whereas local interneurons are typically from A hemilineages. Although sibling fate is dependent on Notch signaling, it is not necessarily dependent on numb, a gene classically involved in biasing Notch activation. When Numb was removed at the start of larval neurogenesis, both A and B hemilineages were still generated, but by the start of the third larval instar, the removal of Numb resulted in all neurons assuming the A fate. The need for Numb to direct Notch signaling correlated with a decrease in NB cell cycle time and may be a means for coping with multiple sibling pairs simultaneously undergoing fate decisions.
Reduced-complexity iterative decoding using a variable-size trellis structure

We propose a new reduced-complexity iterative decoding algorithm. The main concept is to approximate the aposteriori probabilities (APP) by a set of few sequences, and to reduce the size of this set with iterations. According to the numerical results on the bit error rate (BER) performance and the convergence behavior by extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart analysis, the algorithm could obtain a good balance between performance and complexity.
The ongoing saga of osteoporosis treatment

Over the past 15 years or so, there has been a surge in interest about osteoporosis. Evidence for this can been seen in newspapers, magazines, books, and television talk shows, or heard on the radio. The scientific community has responded to this increased awareness. For example, a growing number of scientists are attending conferences related to osteoporosis or other aspects of bone biology. With an aging population fortified by the ‘‘baby-boomers,’’ there is a growing citizenry who want to maintain their skeletal integrity in order to remain active. The pharmaceutical industry has also responded to this scenario and is accelerating research in this area in order to deliver an increasing number of safe and effective therapies. The market for osteoporosis related drugs has grown remarkably from just under $1.0 billion several years ago to over $2.5 billion in 1998. Moreover, this market is projected to exceed $8.5 billion by $2005 and $12.0 billion by 2010. Thus, two major driving forces are in place to fuel the expansion of osteoporosisrelated research in the pharmaceutical industry: a significant unmet medical need and business opportunity.
Effects of Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone Combined with Metformin on the Prothrombotic State of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome

In this multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group trial, 103 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome were randomized to receive one of two thiazolidinediones – pioglitazone or rosiglitazone – in combination with 1500 mg/day of metformin, increasing up to 3000 mg/day, for 12 months. Anthropometric, metabolic, coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Significant decreases in glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose levels were seen after 9 and 12 months in both groups, and significant decreases in fasting plasma insulin and post-prandial plasma insulin levels were seen after 12 months in both groups. In both groups, improvement in the homeostasis model assessment index compared with baseline was obtained only after 12 months. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were significantly lower in both groups after 12 months compared with baseline values. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, the combination of metformin plus thiazolidinediones improved glycaemic control and produced a slight but significant reduction in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels.
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Via della Vasca Navale , 79 00146 Roma , Italy Reuse of Schema Mappings for Data Transformation Design

The definition of data transformations between heterogeneous schemas is a critical activity of any database application. Currently, automated tools provide high level interfaces for the discovery of correspondences between elements of schemas, but transformations (i.e., schema mappings) need to be manually specified every time from scratch, even if the problem at hand is similar to one that has already been addressed. Schema mappings are precisely defined over a pair of schemas and cannot directly be reused on different scenarios. We tackle this challenge by introducing a framework to generalize schema mappings as meta-mappings : formalisms that describe transformations between generic data structures called meta-schemas. Meta-mappings describe, in abstract terms, database transformations and are suitable to capture enterprise knowledge from previously defined schema mappings. We present novel techniques to infer meta-mappings from schema mappings, to organize them into a searchable repository, and to leverage the repository to propose to the users data transformations suitable for their needs. We study effectiveness and efficiency in an extensive evaluation over both real-world and synthetic transformation scenarios, and show that our system can infer, store, and search millions of meta-mappings in seconds.
Chapter 11 Patient Safety and Team Training

In 2000, the publication of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health Care System was a seminal event for the health care system in the United States.1 Prior to the publication of this report, many physicians and hospital administrators refused to acknowledge the frequent occurrence of preventable morbidity and mortality and the sad reality that our health care system was not adequately addressing the issue of patient safety. The IOM concluded that tens of thousands of patients were dying each year as a result of medical errors. In the past decade, numerous changes have been endorsed to improve patient safety; these include mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios,2 a reduction in duty hours for resident physicians,3 mandatory time-outs before invasive procedures (to confirm patient identity and the procedure to be performed), and the use of simulation and teamwork training in the medical environment.4,5 Data from high-risk organizations suggest that health care errors do not usually occur because of ill-trained medical personnel but rather result from systems that ‘‘set up’’ both the patient and health care provider. Wu6 has aptly called these health care providers ‘‘second victims. ’’ This chapter reviews several modalities that can be used to improve patient safety and reduce the incidence and sequelae of medical errors on the labor and delivery unit.
In Silco Mapping of ESTs from the Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo)

Sequence similarity was used to predict the position of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the genome of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Turkey EST sequences were compared with the draft assembly of the chicken whole-genome sequence and the chicken EST database by BLASTN. Among the 877 ESTs examined, 788 had significant matches in the chicken genome sequence. Position of orthologous sequences in the chicken genome and the predicted position of the EST loci in the turkey genome are presented. Genetic assignments suggest a high level of accuracy for the COMPASS predictions.
Update of the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database based on analysis of allergen sequences

The IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub‐Committee, under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the International Union of Immunological Societies, maintains the systematic nomenclature of allergenic proteins and publishes a database of approved allergen names on its Web site, www.allergen. org. In this paper, we summarize updates of allergen names approved at the meetings of the committee in 2011 through 2013. These changes reflect recent progress in identification, cloning, and sequencing of allergens. The goals of this update were to increase consistency in the classification of allergens, isoallergens, and variants and in the incorporation of the evolutionary classification of proteins into allergen nomenclature, while keeping changes of established names to a minimum in the interest of continuity. Allergens for which names have been updated include respiratory allergens from birch and ragweed pollen, midge larvae, and horse dander; food allergens from peanut, cow's milk, and tomato; and cereal grain allergens. The IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub‐Committee encourages researchers to use these updated allergen names in future publications.
Conventional and Molecular Methods for Verification of Results Obtained with BacT/Alert Nonvent Blood Culture Bottles

ABSTRACT A strategy comparing molecular and conventional methods for verification of the BacT/Alert nonvent blood culture bottles (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.) was performed with seeded isolates. The bottles were evaluated with 12 common organisms from bloodstream infections. Overall, the bottles were equivalent as determined by conventional and molecular methods.
Comparison of Multi-Stack Fuel Cell System Architectures for Residential Power Generation Applications Including Electrical Vehicle Charging

Multistack fuel cell systems can be more efficient, more reliable and possess a longer lifetime than single fuel cell systems. However, these features depend on the architecture used to link the fuel cells. Some architectures enable the use of distribution methods which impact the behavior of the system. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of multiple architectures and distribution methods for multi-stack fuel cell systems on the ageing and hydrogen consumption in the case of a residential application including the charge of an electric vehicle. The ageing of the system depends on the number of start/stop cycles and the duration of use. The cost of use of the fuel cell system depends on the hydrogen consumption, system cost and degradation. The results show that the parallel architecture is the less expensive and minimizes ageing if the ratio of the degradation per start/stop cycle to the degradation per hour of use is low. The series architecture is the most effective when that ratio is high.
The three-dimensional structure of ribonuclease-S. Interpretation of an electron density map at a nominal resolution of 2 A.

Abstract The procedures used in the collection and analysis of x-ray diffraction data from single crystals of ribonuclease-S are described. Both isomorphous and anomalous scattering were measured on heavy atom derivatives prepared with the uranyl cation, the tetracyanoplatinate(II) anion, and dichloroethylenediamine platinum(II). The amplitudes and phases of 6000 reflections were established. An electron density map with an estimated root mean square error of 0.23 electron per (A)3 and a nominal resolution of 2 A was produced. An interpretation of this map on the basis of the known chemical sequence has been made. The actual fit of the physical model to the map is shown in a series of stereophotographs of superimposed images. A preliminary list of the coordinates of all nonhydrogen atoms in this enzyme has been prepared. The level of confidence in the proposed structure varies markedly in different parts of the protein. Comments on the quality of the electron density map at individual residues and on the fit of the model in the different regions are given.
Spinal Cord Injury after Blunt Cervical Spine Trauma: Correlation of Soft-Tissue Damage and Extension of Lesion

This study retrospectively evaluates whether ligamentous injury or disk disruption after spinal cord injury correlates with lesion length. Length of lesion, disk disruption, ligamentous injury association, and extent of spinal cord injury were statistically assessed. The number of ligaments affected had a positive correlation with the extension of the lesion. Thus, in cervical spine trauma, a specific pattern of ligamentous injury correlates with the length of the spinal cord lesion. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In patients with spinal cord injury after blunt trauma, several studies have observed a correlation between neurologic impairment and radiologic findings. Few studies have been performed to correlate spinal cord injury with ligamentous injury. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate whether ligamentous injury or disk disruption after spinal cord injury correlates with lesion length. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord injury after cervical trauma between 1990–2011. Plain films, CT, and MR imaging were performed on patients and then reviewed for this study. MR imaging was performed within 96 hours after cervical trauma for all patients. Data regarding ligamentous injury, disk injury, and the extent of the spinal cord injury were collected from an adequate number of MR images. We evaluated anterior longitudinal ligaments, posterior longitudinal ligaments, and the ligamentum flavum. Length of lesion, disk disruption, and ligamentous injury association, as well as the extent of the spinal cord injury were statistically assessed by means of univariate analysis, with the use of nonparametric tests and multivariate analysis along with linear regression. RESULTS: There were significant differences in lesion length on T2-weighted images for anterior longitudinal ligaments, posterior longitudinal ligaments, and ligamentum flavum in the univariate analysis; however, when this was adjusted by age, level of injury, sex, and disruption of the soft tissue evaluated (disk, anterior longitudinal ligaments, posterior longitudinal ligaments, and ligamentum flavum) in a multivariable analysis, only ligamentum flavum showed a statistically significant association with lesion length. Furthermore, the number of ligaments affected had a positive correlation with the extension of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: In cervical spine trauma, a specific pattern of ligamentous injury correlates with the length of the spinal cord lesion in MR imaging studies. Ligamentous injury detected by MR imaging is not a dynamic finding; thus it proved to be useful in predicting neurologic outcome in patients for whom the MR imaging examination was delayed.
The Decision Disconnect

If the practice of ethics amongst the members of an enterprise and their ideal identity conflict with those of the governing membership in structure, assumptions, dynamic or learning, then we have a decision disconnect that will constrain the success of that enterprise: a governance issue. Understanding the pervasive role of ethics in leading ICT in the enterprise is vital for effective practice of enterprise ICT governance. Hitherto there has been comparatively little critical attention paid to the problem of understanding how the value systems that shape decision-making comprehensively impact the appropriate practice of governance and management in ICT. In this paper, I argue that the value systems at play within the enterprise are central and intrinsic drivers for shaping control and influence. I conclude with a framework for making sense of the complex relationship between ethics, governance and the enterprise, to assist the practitioner in focusing on those planning factors that may be moderated for effective governance. I draw on the findings from the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics’ (in partnership with the Australian Computer Society) examination of ethics and regulation in the ICT industry (Lucas and Weckert, 2008) to highlight the particular problem of ethics and governance of ICT people. This paper is significant as the unambiguous establishment of the criticality of value systems in the practice of governance in the enterprise, and particularly the ICT enterprise. The proposed framework provides a systems-thinking basis for practitioners to explicitly plan and design for the dynamic interrelationship of values, people, process, and purpose in enterprise governance. The framework advocates recognition, planning and design for requisite diversity for all system components.
HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition protects the diabetic myocardium from ischemia‐reperfusion injury

HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) exert beneficial effects independently of reducing blood cholesterol levels. We tested the hypothesis that statin therapy could reduce injury in the diabetic heart following myocardial ischemia (MI) and reperfusion (R) by increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). The db/db diabetic mouse exhibits obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and endothelial dysfunction similar to Type II diabetes in humans. Diabetic mice received daily injections of simvastatin (0.5 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days before MI‐R. Simvastatin did not reduce serum cholesterol levels (105±2 mg/dl vs. 103±3 mg/dl). However, simvastatin increased eNOS mRNA levels in diabetic hearts (n=7) by 97 ± 31% (P< 0.05) compared with vehicle (n=7). Simvastatin also significantly augmented (P<0.05) vascular NO production compared with vehicle (16.0±1.6 vs. 8.9±1.5 nmol/g). Diabetic (n=12) and nondiabetic (n=10) mice were subjected to 30 min of MI and 2 h of R. Simvastatin treatment (n=11) in diabetic mice reduced (P<0.02) myocardial necrosis from 62.6 ± 3.3% to 37.0±6.4%. Neutrophil infiltration in the I‐R myocardium was attenuated by 62% (P<0.01) in simvastatin‐treated mice. Intravital microscopy demonstrated reduced leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions in simvastatin‐treated diabetic mice. Thus, simvastatin attenuates injury in the diabetic myocardium by enhanced NO production without reducing cholesterol levels.
MR imaging evaluation of the activity of Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in assessing the activity of Crohn's disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty symptomatic patients with Crohn's disease but uncertain disease activity were prospectively examined using MR imaging. Twenty-nine patients were scored using the Crohn's disease activity index. Six hundred milliliters of water orally and 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly were given before imaging. Breath-hold images were obtained using T2-weighted turbo spin-echo, T1-weighted fast low-angle shot, and fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted fast low-angle shot sequences. Images were assessed by two radiologists who were unaware of the patient's symptoms, clinical scoring, and other imaging tests, and who reached a consensus about the imaging findings (bowel wall thickening, bowel wall enhancement, and perienteric changes) and determined the absence or presence of active disease in each patient. MR imaging findings were correlated with endoscopy and surgery. RESULTS Twenty-three patients had active disease and seven patients had inactive disease. One hundred twenty-four of a total of 168 bowel segments were examined with both MR imaging and endoscopy or surgery. On a per patient basis, MR imaging had an overall sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 71% for active disease. The Crohn's disease activity index had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 28%. On a per segment basis, MR imaging had a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 93%. Bowel wall thickening of greater than 4 mm, bowel wall enhancement (ratio of signal intensity of abnormal to normal bowel > 1.3:1), and increased mesenteric vascularity were useful in identifying active disease. A layered enhancement pattern after the IV administration of gadolinium was highly specific for active inflammation. CONCLUSION MR imaging is useful in assessing the activity of Crohn's disease and may be helpful when clinical scoring is equivocal.
Thrombocytopenia in dogs with anticoagulant rodenticide-induced hemorrhage: eight cases (1990-1995).

Thrombocytopenia was documented in eight of 11 dogs with anticoagulant rodenticide-induced hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia was transient and generally mild-to-moderate, but it became marked (i.e., less than 30,000 platelets/microl) in two cases. Petechial hemorrhages were not noted in any case. There was no relationship between hematocrit and platelet count. Platelet count changes in response to treatment with fresh-frozen plasma and isotonic electrolyte solutions were variable. Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with hemorrhage accompanied by mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia.
Quantum attacks on pseudorandom generators†

There are advantages in the use of quantum computing in the elaboration of attacks on certain pseudorandom generators when compared with analogous attacks using classical computing. This paper presents a polynomial time quantum attack on the Blum–Micali generator, which is considered secure against threats from classical computers. The proposed attack uses a Grover inspired procedure together with the quantum discrete logarithm, and is able to recover previous and future outputs of the generator under attack, thereby completely compromising its unpredictability. The attack can also be adapted to other generators, such as Blum–Micali generators with multiple hard-core predicates and generators from the Blum–Micali construction, and also to scenarios where the requirements on the bits are relaxed. Such attacks represent a threat to the security of the pseudorandom generators adopted in many real-world cryptosystems.
Performance analysis of TBCD protocol over Wireless Body channel

The improvements in implantable medical devices combined with wireless sensor networks are set to revolutionize the healthcare industry by providing real-time, low-cost health monitoring for the patients. The new field called Implantable Wireless Body Sensor Networks (IWBSN) has become a hot research topic because of the energy constraints and the circuit complexity. A novel protocol called Time-Based Coded Data (TBCD) has been proposed in an attempt to reduce the energy consumption in IWBSNs. In this work, TBCD protocol has been modeled and analyzed in MATLAB/SIMULINK with realistic body channel. The goal is to find the optimum transmit power, sensitivity of the transceiver for TBCD protocol to work efficiently for an optimal distance between sensor nodes and the base-station. In addition, it has been proved that the life time of the battery (20 mAhr /3.3V Battery) of a sensor node using TBCD protocol can be prolonged to 2500 days when compared to the state-of-art Zigbee protocol.