Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive Value of Electrocardiographic T-Wave Morphology Parameters and T-Wave Peak to T-Wave End Interval for Sudden Cardiac Death in the General Population

Background—Previous population studies have found an association between electrocardiographic T-wave morphology parameters and cardiovascular mortality, but their relationship to sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not clear. To our knowledge, there are no follow-up studies assessing the association between electrocardiographic T-wave peak to T-wave end interval (TPE) and SCD. We assessed the predictive value of electrocardiographic T-wave morphology parameters and TPE for SCD in an adult general population sample. Methods and Results—A total of 4 T-wave morphology parameters (principal component analysis ratio, T-wave morphology dispersion, total cosine R-to-T, T-wave residuum) as well as TPE were measured from digital standard 12-lead ECGs in 5618 adults (46% men; mean age 50.9±12.5 years) participating in the Finnish population–based Health 2000 Study. After a mean follow-up time of 7.7±1.4 years, 72 SCDs had occurred. In univariable analyses, all T-wave morphology parameters were associated with an increased SCD risk. In multivariable Cox models, T-wave morphology dispersion and total cosine R-to-T remained as predictors of SCD, with T-wave morphology dispersion showing the highest SCD risk (hazard ratio of 1.4 [95% confidence interval 1.1−1.7, P=0.001] per 1 SD increase in the loge T-wave morphology dispersion). In contrast, TPE was not associated with SCD in univariable or multivariable analyses. Conclusions—Electrocardiographic T-wave morphology parameters describing the 3-dimensional shape of the T-wave stratify SCD risk in the general population, but we did not find an association between TPE and SCD.
Detail warping based video super-resolution using image guides

Video scaling is a crucial video processing component that finds a variety of applications in video display, enhancement and analysis. Thus, video scaling has been an important research topic for several years now. With the emergence of hybrid-cameras that simultaneously capture a low-resolution (LR) video and periodic high-resolution (HR) stills, methods that use information in HR stills for enhancing the LR video are being studied. We present a multi-layer super-resolution (SR) method to rescale the input LR video with the help of a few HR still image guides. Resolution enhancement is achieved by blending the high frequency details into the input video frames that are scaled-up by a conventional, spatial scaling method. The missing high frequency details for each video frame are derived by spatio-temporal warping of the high frequency details extracted from HR still image guides. The Non-Local-Means (NLM) concept is used for computing the warping weights. The proposed SR method handles both global and local motions in a video, without requiring any explicit image registration. Experimental results comparing the proposed method with some of the existing video scaling techniques clearly points its strong potential.
Methamphetamine use and sexual activity among HIV-infected patients in care--San Francisco, 2004.

METHAMPHETAMINE is a central nervous stimulant that has become the secondmost common drug of abuse world-wide (after cannabis),1 and in 2002 become the leading cause of inpatient drug-treatment admissions in California.2 Methamphetamine is an easily obtained illicit substance that is smoked, snorted, ingested orally, inserted rectally, inserted vaginally, and injected intravenously. A growing body of literature has linked methamphetamine use with risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, less is known about the extent of methamphetamine use among HIV-infected persons who might be at risk of harming themselves from methamphetamine’s effects or infecting others with HIV while under the influence of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use among men who have sex with men (MSM) is relatively common and is associated with risky sexual behavior. The Urban Men’s Health Study3 reported that 9.5% of MSM in four large U.S. cities reported methamphetamine use in the prior 6 months during 1996–1998 (13.3% in San Francisco MSM), and the EXPLORE study reported that 13% of MSM in six large US cities reported methamphetamine use in the prior 6 months during 1999–2001 (23% of MSM in San Francisco). 4,5 Multiple studies have demonstrated that methamphetamine use among MSM is associated with unprotected anal intercourse (both insertive and receptive) and with intercourse with HIV-serodiscordant partners.4–10 Prevalence estimates of methamphetamine use by HIV-positive MSM are variable. In 1998, the Supplement to HIV/AIDS Surveillance (SHAS) project reported that 15% of 9735 HIV-positive MSM from 12 U.S. states had used amphetamines (including methamphetamine) at some time in their lives.11 In 2004, the Seropositive Urban Men’s Intervention Trial (SUMIT) reported that 10.1% of 1168 HIV-positive MSM from New York City and San Francisco reported methamphetamine use in the past 3 months.10 Semple et al.12 reported in 2003 that binge use of methamphetamine was common (45.5%) among 90 HIV-positive MSM in Los Angeles, as was unprotected sex with serodiscordant partners and follow-up surveillance in 2004 also demonstrated increased multipartnerism associated with methamphetamine use by this cohort.13 In a Denver public health survey methamphetamine use by MSM in the prior year was reported as 11% and in MSM living with HIV it was 21%. 14 The Denver survey also suggested that methamphetamine using MSM were three times more likely to have unprotected sex compared to nonmethamphetamine using MSM.
The Role of Architectural and Learning Constraints in Neural Network Models: A Case Study on Visual Space Coding

The recent “deep learning revolution” in artificial neural networks had strong impact and widespread deployment for engineering applications, but the use of deep learning for neurocomputational modeling has been so far limited. In this article we argue that unsupervised deep learning represents an important step forward for improving neurocomputational models of perception and cognition, because it emphasizes the role of generative learning as opposed to discriminative (supervised) learning. As a case study, we present a series of simulations investigating the emergence of neural coding of visual space for sensorimotor transformations. We compare different network architectures commonly used as building blocks for unsupervised deep learning by systematically testing the type of receptive fields and gain modulation developed by the hidden neurons. In particular, we compare Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs), which are stochastic, generative networks with bidirectional connections trained using contrastive divergence, with autoencoders, which are deterministic networks trained using error backpropagation. For both learning architectures we also explore the role of sparse coding, which has been identified as a fundamental principle of neural computation. The unsupervised models are then compared with supervised, feed-forward networks that learn an explicit mapping between different spatial reference frames. Our simulations show that both architectural and learning constraints strongly influenced the emergent coding of visual space in terms of distribution of tuning functions at the level of single neurons. Unsupervised models, and particularly RBMs, were found to more closely adhere to neurophysiological data from single-cell recordings in the primate parietal cortex. These results provide new insights into how basic properties of artificial neural networks might be relevant for modeling neural information processing in biological systems.
Novel insights into pretransplant allosensitization in heart transplant recipients in the contemporary era of immunosuppression and rejection surveillance

Solid‐phase assays (SPA) have facilitated detection and definition of antibodies to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related antigen A (MICA). However, clinical consequences of pretransplant SPA results in heart transplantation have been studied insufficiently in the current era of immunosuppression and rejection surveillance. Pretransplant sera, panel‐reactive antibodies (PRA), pretransplant crossmatch, and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 264 adult heart transplant recipients. The specificity of HLA and MICA antibodies and C1q‐binding activity of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) were defined using SPA. Pretransplant HLA antibodies were detected in 57 (22%) individuals, in 28 individuals (11%); these antibodies were DSA after transplant. Preformed DSA and elevated peak PRA were independent predictors of pathologic AMR, which occurred in 19 individuals (7%). The increasing number of DSA and the cumulative mean fluorescence intensity of DSA were associated with AMR. C1q‐binding assay was a suboptimal predictor of AMR in our cohort. Pretransplant allosensitization and MICA antibodies were related neither to impaired graft survival nor to other adverse clinical events during a median follow‐up of 39 months. Identification of preformed DSA by SPA, in addition to PRA monitoring, may predict AMR in the contemporary era of heart transplantation.
How much diagnostic safety can we afford, and how should we decide? A health economics perspective

Controlling the costs of healthcare, which now exceed US$2.7 trillion, is an economic imperative.1–3 Costs of diagnostic testing probably account for more than 10% of all healthcare costs, and that fraction is rising rapidly over time,4 with advanced diagnostic imaging leading the way and diagnostic laboratory testing a close second.5 Molecular diagnostic testing for ‘personalised medicine’ may fuel disproportionate rises.6 ,7 Some diagnostic tests are misused or overused, with waste from diagnostic imaging alone estimated at more than US$25 billion.8 At the same time, diagnostic errors are frequent and often result in death or disability,9 with recent estimates suggesting more than a million a year harmed by diagnostic error in the USA.10 For those harmed, direct costs accrue from failure to treat the true condition, inappropriate testing and treatments for the incorrectly diagnosed one, and any medicolegal costs or payments.11 Indirect costs also arise from defensive medicine, increased medical liability premiums, and downstream effects.11 The annual costs of ‘defensive medicine’ alone—mostly unnecessary diagnostic tests obtained to guard against malpractice law suits—are at least US$45–60 billion12 ,13 and perhaps hundreds of billions.14–16 Given these facts, public awareness campaigns (eg, ‘Choosing Wisely’) have sought to foster dialogue between doctors and patients about potential ways to improve the safety and efficiency of diagnosis.17 Nevertheless, it remains challenging to determine whether diagnostic tests are being overused or underused and when ‘more’ diagnosis is not ‘better’ diagnosis. In this article, we leverage a case study example (box 1) to explore complex inter-relationships between diagnostic test characteristics, appropriate use, actual use, diagnostic safety and cost effectiveness. We frame our discussion around the question, ‘How much diagnostic safety can we afford? ’ to assess the role of economic analysis and suggest areas …
Cutaneous metastasis: a rare phenomenon of colorectal cancer

Cutaneous metastases from colorectal cancer are extremely rare and generally appear several years after diagnosis or resection of the primary tumor. Although this phenomenon is uncommon, it is very important and often indicates a poor prognosis. We present a case of a 76-year-old female patient with multiple cutaneous metastatic nodules on the back, just 1 month after resection of rectal cancer. Unfortunately, the patient gave up the follow-up treatment due to her age and poor physical condition; she died 3 months later. In view of its rarity of occurrence and lack of experience in treatment, we reviewed the literature and report as follows.
Melt rheological behavior of intimately mixed short sisal–glass hybrid fiber‐reinforced low‐density polyethylene composites. I. Untreated fibers

The melt rheological behavior of intimately mixed short sisal–glass hybrid fiber-reinforced low-density polyethylene composites was studied with an Instron capillary rheometer. The variation of melt viscosity with shear rate and shear stress at different temperatures was studied. The effect of relative composition of component fibers on the overall rheological behavior also was examined. A temperature range of 130 to 150°C and shear rate of 16.4 to 5470 s−1 were chosen for the analysis. The melt viscosity of the hybrid composite increased with increase in the volume fraction of glass fibers and reached a maximum for the composite containing glass fiber alone. Also, experimental viscosity values of hybrid composites were in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated using the additive rule of hybrid mixtures, except at low volume fractions of glass fibers. Master curves were plotted by superpositioning shear stress and temperature results. The breakage of fibers during the extrusion process, estimated by optical microscopy, was higher for glass fiber than sisal fiber. The surface morphology of the extrudates was analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 432–442, 2003
Structure–Function Analysis of Cf-9, a Receptor-Like Protein with Extracytoplasmic Leucine-Rich Repeatsw⃞

The tomato (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium) resistance protein Cf-9 belongs to a large class of plant proteins with extracytoplasmic Leu-rich repeats (eLRRs). eLRR proteins play key roles in plant defense and development, mainly as receptor-like proteins or receptor-like kinases, conferring recognition of various pathogen molecules and plant hormones. We report here a large-scale structure–function analysis of an eLRR protein. A total of 66 site-directed mutants of Cf-9 were analyzed for activity in Avr9 recognition and for protein stability and the results interpreted with the help of a homology model of the Cf-9 structure. Conserved Trp and Cys pairs in the N-terminal LRR-flanking domain appear to be important for Cf-9 activity and are probably exposed at the putative concave inner surface of the Cf-9 protein, where recognition specificity also resides. Removal of each of the 22 putative N-linked glycosylation sites (PGS) revealed that many PGSs contribute to Cf-9 activity and that the PGSs in the putative α-helices of the LRR modules are essential. Immunoblot analysis and mass spectrometry showed that all but one of the PGSs are N-glycosylated. Introduction of glycosylation at the putative concave β-sheet surface blocks Cf-9 activity, in some cases probably by disturbing specific recognition, and in another case by steric hindrance with existing N-glycans. The glycosylation pattern and several other features are conserved in other eLRR proteins, where similar mutations show similar phenotypes.
Isoflurane Inhibits the Tetrodotoxin-resistant Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Nav1.8

Background:Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) mediate neuronal action potentials. Tetrodotoxin inhibits all Nav isoforms, but Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 are relatively tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-r) compared to other isoforms. Nav1.8 is highly expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons and is functionally linked to nociception, but the sensitivity of TTX-r isoforms to inhaled anesthetics is unclear. Methods:The sensitivities of heterologously expressed rat TTX-r Nav1.8 and endogenous tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-s) Nav to the prototypic inhaled anesthetic isoflurane were tested in mammalian ND7/23 cells using patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results:From a holding potential of −70 mV, isoflurane (0.53 ± 0.06 mm, 1.8 minimum alveolar concentration at 24°C) reduced normalized peak Na+ current (INa) of Nav1.8 to 0.55 ± 0.03 and of endogenous TTX-s Nav to 0.56 ± 0.06. Isoflurane minimally inhibited INa from a holding potential of −140 mV. Isoflurane did not affect voltage-dependence of activation, but it significantly shifted voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation by −6 mV for Nav1.8 and by −7 mV for TTX-s Nav. IC50 values for inhibition of peak INa were 0.67 ± 0.06 mm for Nav1.8 and 0.66 ± 0.09 mm for TTX-s Nav; significant inhibition occurred at clinically relevant concentrations as low as 0.58 minimum alveolar concentration. Isoflurane produced use-dependent block of Nav1.8; at a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz, 0.56 ± 0.08 mm isoflurane reduced INa to 0.64 ± 0.01 versus 0.78 ± 0.01 for control. Conclusion:Isoflurane inhibited the tetrodotoxin-resistant isoform Nav1.8 with potency comparable to that for endogenous tetrodotoxin-sensitive Nav isoforms, indicating that sensitivity to inhaled anesthetics is conserved across diverse Nav family members. Block of Nav1.8 in dorsal root ganglion neurons could contribute to the effects of inhaled anesthetics on peripheral nociceptive mechanisms.
Benefit of Treatment Individualization in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Receiving Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin in a Large Noninterventional Cohort Study

Background and Aims Individualization of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C showed benefit in controlled trials and was implemented in treatment guidelines to increase response rates and to reduce side effects and costs. However, it is unknown whether individualization was adopted in routine daily practice and whether it translated into improved outcomes. Methods From a large noninterventional cohort study, clinical and virologic response data of 10,262 HCV patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin between 2003-2007 and 2008-2011 were analyzed. To account for treatment individualization, a matched-pair analysis (2,997 matched pairs) was performed. Variation in treatment duration and dosing of ribavirin were analyzed as indicators for individualization. Results Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were similar between 2003-2007 and 2008-2011 (62.0% vs. 63.7%). Patients with comorbidities were more abundant in the later period, (44.3% vs. 57.1%). The subsequent matched-pair analysis demonstrated higher SVR rates in the 2008-2011 period (64.3%) than in the 2003-2007 period (61.2%, p=0.008). More patients received abbreviated or extended treatment regimens in the later than the earlier period as an indicator of treatment individualization. To the same end, ribavirin doses were higher in the later period (12.6 versus 11.6 mg/kg/day). Factors independently associated with SVR included HCV genotype, low baseline viral load, younger age, route of infection, absence of concomitant diseases, lower APRI score, normal gamma-GT, higher ribavirin doses, no substitution for drug abuse, treatment duration, and treatment in the 2008-2011 period. Conclusions Treatment individualization with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin was implemented in daily routine between 2003-2007 and 2008-2011, SVR rates improved in the same period. These findings may be most relevant in resource-limited settings.
Automatic detection of parallel applications computation phases

Analyzing parallel programs has become increasingly difficult due to the immense amount of information collected on large systems. The use of clustering techniques has been proposed to analyze applications. However, while the objective of previous works is focused on identifying groups of processes with similar characteristics, we target a much finer granularity in the application behavior. In this paper, we present a tool that automatically characterizes the different computation regions between communication primitives in message-passing applications. This study shows how some of the clustering algorithms which may be applicable at a coarse grain are no longer adequate at this level. Density-based clustering algorithms applied to the performance counters offered by modern processors are more appropriate in this context. This tool automatically generates accurate displays of the structure of the application as well as detailed reports on a broad range of metrics for each individual region detected.
Bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies: which is more fatal – cancer or resistant pathogens?

Background The primary objective of this study was to report the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and clinically or microbiologically proven bacterial or fungal BSIs during neutropenic episodes in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods In this retrospective observational study, all patients in the hematology department older than 14 years who developed febrile neutropenia during chemotherapy for hematological cancers were evaluated. Patients were included if they had experienced at least one neutropenic episode between November 2010 and November 2012 due to chemotherapy in the hematology ward. Results During 282 febrile episodes in 126 patients, 66 (23%) episodes of bacteremia and 24 (8%) episodes of fungemia were recorded in 48 (38%) and 18 (14%) patients, respectively. Gram-negative bacteria caused 74% (n=49) of all bacteremic episodes. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (n=6) caused 12% and 9% of Gram-negative bacteremia episodes and all bacteremia episodes, respectively. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria included Acinetobacter baumannii (n=4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1), and Serratia marcescens (n=1). Culture-proven invasive fungal infection occurred in 24 episodes in 18 cases during the study period, with 15 episodes in ten cases occurring in the first study year and nine episodes in eight cases in the second study year. In 13 of 18 cases (72%) with bloodstream yeast infections, previous azole exposure was recorded. Candida parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. albicans isolates were resistant to voriconazole and fluconazole. Conclusion BSIs that occur during febrile neutropenic episodes in hematology patients due to Gram-negative bacteria should be treated initially with non-carbapenem-based antipseudomonal therapy taking into consideration antimicrobial stewardship. Non-azole antifungal drugs, including caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B, should be preferred as empirical antifungal therapy in the events of possible or probable invasive fungal infections with an absence of pulmonary findings due to increase azole resistance.
Expression of the ADP/ATP carrier and expansion of the mitochondrial (ATP + ADP) pool contribute to postnatal maturation of the rat heart.

The role of the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC), a key protein of the mitochondrial ATP-generating system, is not clear during postnatal rat heart development. To elucidate this role, the phosphorylating respiration (state 3), the activity and the content of AAC, the size of the exchangeable mitochondrial (ATP + ADP) pool and the control of AAC over respiration at state 3 were measured in mitochondria isolated from rat hearts at various postnatal ages. There was a 5-fold increase in the AAC activity from newborn to aged rat hearts, which was paralleled by a 1.5-fold increase in state 3 respiration. At birth, the AAC and the F0F1-ATP synthase exerted about 80% of the control over phosphorylating respiration (state 3: flux control coefficients 0.39 +/- 0.04 and 0.38 +/- 0.08). The strong increase in the AAC activity was partly caused by the doubling of the protein content. In addition, the turnover number of AAC increased by a factor of 2.5 due to the expansion of the (ATP + ADP) pool from 3.4 +/- 0.9 to 10.6 +/- 1.5 nmol.mg protein-1. The data strongly indicate that the increase in the AAC activity is an essential step in the postnatal maturation of rat heart mitochondria.