Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled trial comparing esophageal dilation to no dilation among adults with esophageal eosinophilia and dysphagia.

The role of esophageal dilation in patients with esophageal eosinophilia with dysphagia remains unknown. The practice of dilation is currently based on center preferences and expert opinion. The aim of this study is to determine if, and to what extent, dysphagia improves in response to initial esophageal dilation followed by standard medical therapies. We conducted a randomized, blinded, controlled trial evaluating adult patients with dysphagia and newly diagnosed esophageal eosinophilia from 2008 to 2013. Patients were randomized to dilation or no dilation at time of endoscopy and blinded to dilation status. Endoscopic features were graded as major and minor. Subsequent to randomization and endoscopy, all patients received fluticasone and dexlansoprazole for 2 months. The primary study outcome was reduction in overall dysphagia score, assessed at 30 and 60 days post-intervention. Patients with severe strictures (less than 7-mm esophageal diameter) were excluded from the study. Thirty-one patients were randomized and completed the protocol: 17 randomized to dilation and 14 to no dilation. Both groups were similar with regard to gender, age, eosinophil density, endoscopic score, and baseline dysphagia score. The population exhibited moderate to severe dysphagia and moderate esophageal stricturing at baseline. Overall, there was a significant (P < 0.001) but similar reduction in mean dysphagia score at 30 and 60 days post-randomization compared with baseline in both groups. No significant difference in dysphagia scores between treatment groups after 30 (P = 0.93) or 60 (P = 0.21) days post-intervention was observed. Esophageal dilation did not result in additional improvement in dysphagia score compared with treatment with proton pump inhibitor and fluticasone alone. In patients with symptomatic esophageal eosinophilia without severe stricture, dilation does not appear to be a necessary initial treatment strategy.
Altered reward processing in the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression

Background Healthy first-degree relatives of patients with major depression (rMD+) show brain structure and functional response anomalies and have elevated risk for developing depression, a disorder linked to abnormal serotonergic neurotransmission and reward processing. Method In a two-step functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, we first evaluated whether positive and negative monetary outcomes were differentially processed by rMD+ individuals compared to healthy first-degree relatives of control probands (rMD−). Second, in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial we investigated whether a 4-week intervention with the selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram had a normalizing effect on behavior and brain responses of the rMD+ individuals. Results Negative outcomes increased the probability of risk-averse choices in the subsequent trial in rMD+ but not in rMD− individuals. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) displayed a stronger neural response when subjects missed a large reward after a low-risk choice in the rMD+ group compared to the rMD− group. The enhanced orbitofrontal response to negative outcomes was reversed following escitalopram intervention compared to placebo. Conversely, for positive outcomes, the left hippocampus showed attenuated response to high wins in the rMD+ compared to the rMD− group. The SSRI intervention reinforced the hippocampal response to large wins. A subsequent structural analysis revealed that the abnormal neural responses were not accounted for by changes in gray matter density in rMD+ individuals. Conclusions Our study in first-degree relatives of depressive patients showed abnormal brain responses to aversive and rewarding outcomes in regions known to be dysfunctional in depression. We further confirmed the reversal of these aberrant activations with SSRI intervention.
Counselling psychologists’ talk of ‘authenticity’: exploring the implications of ‘authenticity’ discourse for ethical practice.

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Crystal growth, optical properties and neutron responses of Ce3+ doped LiCaAlF6 single crystal

Ce2%: 6LiCAF single crystal (nominal composition) with 2 mm in diameter and 50 mm in length was grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Emission from the perturbed Ce3+ centers was observed in α-ray excited radioluminescence. Neutron response was compared with Li-glass (GS20, Saint-Gobain) using 252Cf. Scintillation decay time of Ce2%: LiCAF is 38nsec, which is twice faster than that of GS20. Using Hamamatsu photomultiplier H7416 the photoelectron yield of the Ce: 6LiCAF single crystal is measured about half of that of GS20.
Combined Plate Microbial Assay (CPMA): A 6-plate-method for simultaneous first and second level screening of antibacterial residues in meat

This paper proposes an improved high throughput microbial method for the simultaneous performance of first and second level screening for antibacterial residues in meat. It is based on growth inhibition of B. subtilis on agar medium pH 6, 7.2 and 8, of B. cereus on agar medium pH 5.9, of M. luteus on agar medium pH 8 and of E. coli on agar medium pH 7.2 (research or first level screening) and on the use of confirmatory solutions (Pase, Paba, MgSO4) for the identification or second level screening. In kidney control samples, dialysis membranes were interposed between samples and the agar surface to both prevent the action of lysozyme and reduce false positive results. The proposed method detects β-lactams, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, macrolides and quinolones at MRL concentrations and reliably indicates the inhibitor family. Results are obtained in 18–24 h.
Simple chained guide trees give high-quality protein multiple sequence alignments

Significance To make sense of protein sequences, they need to be compared with each other. It is common to make a multiple sequence alignment where gaps are inserted to line up homologous residues in columns. Automatic methods such as Clustal, Muscle, or Mafft have been widely used since the 1980s but have difficulty in making alignments of much more than a few thousand sequences. This is mainly due to the time required to calculate what is called the guide tree, a clustering of the sequences that is used to guide the multiple alignment. We have discovered that if you use simple chained guide trees, you can increase the accuracy of alignments and, in principle, make alignments of any size. Guide trees are used to decide the order of sequence alignment in the progressive multiple sequence alignment heuristic. These guide trees are often the limiting factor in making large alignments, and considerable effort has been expended over the years in making these quickly or accurately. In this article we show that, at least for protein families with large numbers of sequences that can be benchmarked with known structures, simple chained guide trees give the most accurate alignments. These also happen to be the fastest and simplest guide trees to construct, computationally. Such guide trees have a striking effect on the accuracy of alignments produced by some of the most widely used alignment packages. There is a marked increase in accuracy and a marked decrease in computational time, once the number of sequences goes much above a few hundred. This is true, even if the order of sequences in the guide tree is random.
Efficient Algorithms with Performance Guarantees for the Stochastic Multiple-Choice Knapsack Problem

We study the stochastic multiple-choice knapsack problem, where a set of K items, whose value and weight are random variables, arrive to the system at each time step, and a decision maker has to choose at most one item to put into the knapsack without exceeding its capacity. The goal of the decision-maker is to maximise the total expected value of chosen items with respect to the knapsack capacity and a finite time horizon. We provide the first comprehensive theoretical analysis of the problem. In particular, we propose OPT-S-MCKP, the first algorithm that achieves optimality when the value-weight distributions are known. This algorithm also enjoys O(√T) performance loss, where T is the finite time horizon, in the unknown value-weight distributions scenario. We also further develop two novel approximation methods, FR-S-MCKP and G-S-MCKP, and we prove that FR-S-MCKP achieves O(√T) performance loss in both known and unknown value-weight distributions cases, while enjoying polynomial computational complexity per time step. On the other hand, G-S-MCKP does not have theoretical guarantees, but it still provides good performance in practice with linear running time.
Commitment and Differentiation of Osteoclast Precursor Cells by the Sequential Expression of C-Fms and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κb (Rank) Receptors

Osteoclasts are terminally differentiated cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. However, how their precursor cells diverge from macrophagic lineages is not known. We have identified early and late stages of osteoclastogenesis, in which precursor cells sequentially express c-Fms followed by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK), and have demonstrated that RANK expression in early-stage of precursor cells (c-Fms+RANK−) was stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Although M-CSF and RANKL (ligand) induced commitment of late-stage precursor cells (c-Fms+RANK+) into osteoclasts, even late-stage precursors have the potential to differentiate into macrophages without RANKL. Pretreatment of precursors with M-CSF and delayed addition of RANKL showed that timing of RANK expression and subsequent binding of RANKL are critical for osteoclastogenesis. Thus, the RANK–RANKL system determines the osteoclast differentiation of bipotential precursors in the default pathway of macrophagic differentiation.
Novel astrocyte targets

During the last 20 years, it has been well established that a finely tuned, continuous crosstalk between neurons and astrocytes not only critically modulates physiological brain functions but also underlies many neurological diseases. In particular, this novel way of interpreting brain activity is markedly influencing our current knowledge of epilepsy, prompting a re-evaluation of old findings and guiding novel experimentation. Here, we review recent studies that have unraveled novel and unique contributions of astrocytes to the generation and spread of convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures and epileptiform activity. The emerging scenario advocates an overall framework in which a dynamic and reciprocal interplay among astrocytic and neuronal ensembles is fundamental for a fuller understanding of epilepsy. In turn, this offers novel astrocytic targets for the development of those really novel chemical entities for the control of convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures that have been acknowledged as a key priority in the management of epilepsy.
Determining the Environmental Factors Underlying the Spatial Variability of Insect Appearance Phenology for the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, and the Small White, Pieris rapae

Abstract The spatial patterns of the variability of the appearance dates of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidea) and the small white Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) were investigated in Spain. A database of more than 7,000 records of the dates of the first spring sightings of each species in more than 700 localities from 1952–2004 was used. Phenological data were related to spatial, topographical, climate, land use, and vegetation productivity explanatory variables by means of multiple regression models in order to search for the environmental mechanisms underlying the observable phenological variability. Temperature and altitudinal spatial gradients accounted for most of the spatial variability in the phenology of the studied species, while vegetation productivity and land use had low relevance. In both species, the first individuals were recorded at those sites with warmer springs and dry summers, at low altitudes, and not covered with dry farming (i.e., cereal crops). The identity and magnitude of the effect of the variables were almost identical for both species and closely mirrored spatial temperature gradients. The best explanatory models accounted for up to half of the variability of appearance dates. Residuals did not show a spatial autocorrelation, meaning that no other spatially structured variable at our working resolution could have improved the results. Differences in the spatial patterns of phenology with regard to other taxa, such as arrival dates of migratory birds, suggest that spatial constraints may play an essential role in the phenological matching between trophic levels.
SAM : A 7-DOF portable arm exoskeleton with local joint control

This paper presents the development of SAM, the Sensoric Arm Master, a 7-DOF portable exoskeleton with integrated actuation and sensors. Local joint control is implemented to improve performances of the device. Some experiments have been conducted with the system to show the functionality of the exoskeleton device linked to a virtual reality.
Systemic lupus erythematosus and Klinefelter's syndrome.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more frequent in women than in men, and its highest incidence in women occurs during the reproductive age whereas occurrence in men is more uniformly scattered between age groups (Harvey et al. 1954; Masi and Kaslow 1978). Thus sex and the hormonal factors related to it seem to be relevant to the pathogenesis of SLE and this notion has been strengthened by findings of abnormal estrogen metabolism in SLE patients, both male and female (Lahita et al. 1979), of modifications in the course of SLE by estrogen medications (Jungers et al. 1982), and of the influence hormonal and/or gonadal manipulation has during the course of the disease in NZB/NZW F1 hybrid mice (an animal model of SLE) (Roubinian et al. 1979). Occurrence of SLE in patients with Klinefelter’s syndrome has therefore been considered to have potentially important pathogenetic implications, particularly since it was found that patients with this association have abnormalities in estrogen metabolism (Stern et al. 1977).
Probabilistic Dialogue Modeling for Speech-Enabled Assistive Technology

People with motor disabilities often face substantial challenges using interfaces designed for manual interaction. Although such obstacles might be partially alleviated by automatic speech recognition, these individuals may also have cooccurring speech-language challenges that result in high recognition error rates. In this paper, we investigate how augmenting speech applications with dialogue interaction can improve systemperformance among such users. Weconstruct an end-to-end spoken dialogue system for our target users, adult wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis and other progressive neurological conditions in a specialized-care residence, to access information and communication services through speech. We use boosting to discriminatively learn meaningful confidence scores and ask confirmation questions within a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) framework. Among our target users, the POMDP dialogue manager significantly increased the number of successfully completed dialogues (out of 20 dialogue tasks) compared to a baseline threshold-based strategy (p = 0.02). The reduction in dialogue completion times was more pronounced among speakers with higher error rates, illustrating the benefits of probabilistic dialogue modeling for our target population. Index Terms: spoken dialogue systems, speech interfaces, POMDPs
Connections of the corticomedial amygdala in the golden hamster. II. Efferents of the “olfactory amygdala”

The anterior cortical (C1) and posterolateral cortical (C2) nuclei of the amygdala are designated the “olfactory amygdala” because they each receive direct projections from the main olfactory bulb. The efferents of these nuclei were traced after sterotaxic placement of 1—5 μCi tritiated proline in the corticomedial amygdala of male golden hamsters. Following survival times of 12, 24, or 48 hours, 20 μm frozen sections of the brains were processed for light microscopic autoradiography.
Management of genital herpes by genitourinary physicians: does experience or doctor's gender influence clinical management?

OBJECTIVE--To determine the variation in management of genital herpes by genitourinary physicians, and whether their duration of experience or gender influence their clinical management. METHODS--A postal questionnaire was sent to UK consultant genitourinary physicians with detailed questions about management of primary and recurrent herpes. The gender and duration of genitourinary medicine experience of the physicians were also recorded. RESULTS--One hundred and eighty two questionnaires were sent, 112 (62%) returned. Eighty-one (72%) physicians treat all patients with primary genital herpes, but physicians with more than 20 years experience were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to treat only "severe" primary attacks. Most experienced physicians were also most likely (p < 0.05) to prescribe topical acyclovir. Prescription of suppressive acyclovir was also influenced by the experience of the physician, the least experienced physicians being more likely to prescribe to patients who were HIV antibody positive or to those entering new relationships, whereas the more experienced prescribed to those patients who were particularly anxious (p < 0.05 for each of these). Male physicians were significantly more likely to agree with the proposition that men cope better with genital herpes (54%) than female physicians (24%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION--The response to the questionnaire illustrates that management of genital herpes is influenced by the duration of the physicians clinical experience. Gender of the physician may have an indirect role to play as we have shown that physicians differ in their perception of how the sexes cope with genital herpes.
Assessing the adherence behavior of glaucoma patients to topical eye drops

Purpose The goal of this study was to determine the adherence of glaucoma patients to their topical glaucoma medication. Furthermore, the relationships between the adherence behavior and the patients’ demographic data, clinical characteristics, and their knowledge about glaucoma were evaluated. Methods This was a prospective study of 123 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who were given two standardized questionnaires. The first questionnaire at time point T1 comprised a knowledge assessment and the self-reported adherence measures Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale 2 (ARMS2), visual analogue scale for adherence (VAS-AD), and missed doses in the past 14 days. Two months later at time point T2, a second questionnaire reevaluated the adherence measures ARMS2, VAS-AD, and missed doses in the past 14 days. Results There was a good correlation among all the three adherence measures at T1 and T2. The mean values of ARMS2 were in the lower range, with 3.38 at T1 and 2.8 at T2. The VAS-AD detected that 18.5% of patients always took their eye drops correctly, and 77.9% of patients reported not to have missed a single dose in the past 14 days. There was no significant correlation between the patients’ demographic data or knowledge about glaucoma and the adherence measures ARMS2 or VAS-AD. Among the clinical characteristics, only single-eye blindness showed a significant correlation with VAS-AD. Conclusion In this study, no general relationships were found between medication adherence and the patients’ demographic data, clinical characteristics, or knowledge about glaucoma. It may be assumed that more individualized strategies are required to optimize adherence behavior.
Assessment of the reliability of protein-protein interactions and protein function prediction

As more and more high-throughput protein-protein interaction data are collected, the task of estimating the reliability of different data sets becomes increasingly important. In this paper, we present our study of two groups of protein-protein interaction data, the physical interaction data and the protein complex data, and estimate the reliability of these data sets using three different measurements: (1) the distribution of gene expression correlation coefficients, (2) the reliability based on gene expression correlation coefficients, and (3) the accuracy of protein function predictions. We develop a maximum likelihood method to estimate the reliability of protein interaction data sets according to the distribution of correlation coefficients of gene expression profiles of putative interacting protein pairs. The results of the three measurements are consistent with each other. The MIPS protein complex data have the highest mean gene expression correlation coefficients (0.256) and the highest accuracy in predicting protein functions (70% sensitivity and specificity), while Ito's Yeast two-hybrid data have the lowest mean (0.041) and the lowest accuracy (15% sensitivity and specificity). Uetz's data are more reliable than Ito's data in all three measurements, and the TAP protein complex data are more reliable than the HMS-PCI data in all three measurements as well. The complex data sets generally perform better in function predictions than do the physical interaction data sets. Proteins in complexes are shown to be more highly correlated in gene expression. The results confirm that the components of a protein complex can be assigned to functions that the complex carries out within a cell. There are three interaction data sets different from the above two groups: the genetic interaction data, the in-silico data and the syn-express data. Their capability of predicting protein functions generally falls between that of the Y2H data and that of the MIPS protein complex data. The supplementary information is available at the following Web site: http://www-hto.usc. edu/-msms/AssessInteraction/.