Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Steroid sparing effect of omalizumab in seropositive allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Background Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a common serious hypersensitivity reaction to airway colonization with Aspergillus in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. While steroids are effective in controlling the respiratory symptoms of ABPA, they have many side effects that make them undesirable for long term use. Antifungals have been used to reduce dependency on systemic steroids but long term use can be limited by side effects and there is the possibility of developing resistance to azoles. Some clinicians have successfully used anti-immunoglobulin E (anti-IgE) therapy in various populations, though it is frequently added to antifungals. Objective Further describe the utility of anti-IgE therapy for ABPA for patients unable to tolerate antifungals. Methods We describe the case of a patient with serologic ABPA who did not tolerate therapy with antifungals but was able to significantly reduce her average daily steroid use while receiving anti-IgE therapy with omalizumab added to her other respiratory medications. Results After therapy with omalizumab, our patient was able to reduce her need for daily corticosteroids by nearly 80%. Conclusions Omalizumab may reduce corticosteroid dependence in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis for patients unable to tolerate antifungals, though use may be limited by cost. Additional studies are needed. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier NCT00787917.
Regulatory B cells as inhibitors of immune responses and inflammation

Summary: B cells positively regulate immune responses through antibody production and optimal CD4+ T‐cell activation. However, a specific and functionally important subset of B cells can also negatively regulate immune responses in mouse autoimmunity and inflammation models. The lack or loss of regulatory B cells has been demonstrated by exacerbated symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalitis, chronic colitis, contact hypersensitivity, collagen‐induced arthritis, and non‐obese diabetic mouse models. Accumulating evidence suggests that B cells exert their regulatory role through the production of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) by either B‐1, marginal zone (MZ), or transitional 2–MZ precursor B‐cell subsets. We have recently found that IL‐10‐producing regulatory B cells predominantly localize within a rare CD1dhiCD5+ B‐cell subset that shares cell surface markers with both B‐1 and MZ B cells. We have labeled this specific subset of regulatory B cells as B10 cells to highlight that these rare CD1dhiCD5+ B cells only produce IL‐10 and are responsible for most IL‐10 production by B cells and to distinguish them from other regulatory B‐cell subsets that may also exist. This review focuses on the recent progress in this field and the exciting opportunities for understanding how this unique B‐cell subset influences diverse immune functions.
Relation of pyramidal tract activity to force exerted during voluntary movement.

in a series P of studies of the relation of discharge 01 pyramlda1 tract neurons (PTNs) to voluntary movement. The first of the previous studies (5) showed that PTN activity both at rest and during movement is related to axonal conduction velocity. PTNs with the highest axonal conduction velocities tend to be silent during motor quiescence and to show phasic activity in association with movement. PTNs with lower axonal conduction velocities are for the most part active even in the absence of movement; with movement they show both upward and downward modulation of their resting discharge frequency. A second study (6) was carried out to obtain information as to the point in the interval between stimulus and response at which PTN discharge takes place in association with a conditioned hand movement. It was found that for many PTNs, responses to the conditioned stimulus (the onset of a light) preceded the first peripheral electromyographic correlates of the conditioned response (wrist extension). The fact that these PTN responses preceded the electromyographic response showed that they were not consequent upon feedback resulting from the movement. 1
Stream-Based Trace Compression

Trace-driven simulation has long been used in bothprocessor and memory studies. The large size of traces motivateddifferent techniques for trace reduction. These techniques oftencombine standard compression algorithms with trace-specificsolutions, taking into account the tradeoff between reduction inthe trace size and simulation slowdown due to decompression.This paper introduces SBC, a new algorithm for instruction anddata address trace compression based on instruction streams. Theproposed technique significantly reduces trace size andsimulation time, and it is orthogonal to general compressionalgorithms. When combined with gzip, SBC reduces the size ofSPEC CPU2000 traces 94-71968 times.
QoS Routing Algorithms based on Multi-Objective Optimization for Mesh Networks

In this paper we present a new alternative for routing with quality of service (QoS) problem solution in Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN). This problem has the especial attribute of including multiple objectives which are conflicting between them. A mathematical model is proposed for this problem and includes QoS parameters such as bandwidth, packet loss rates, delay and power consumption. The classical approximations consist in optimizing a single objective or QoS parameter, however doesn't take into account the conflicting nature of this parameters leading to suboptimal solutions. In this work is proposed the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEA), particularly NSGA II which allow finding an optimal solution taking into account all the objectives as QoS parameters.
Study on efficacy of diatomaceous earth on growth parameters in experimental ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens

The ability of Diatomaceous earth (DAE) in reducing the toxic effects of ochratoxin (OTA) in broiler diet was evaluated. DAE was supplemented @ 400 and 800 mg kg of feed along with 0.5 and 1 ppm of OTA/kg of feed. Healthy unsexed day-old broiler chicks (n=360) were assigned to 9 groups comprising of control and treatment groups. Feeding of OTA resulted in significantly lower feed intake as well as body weight gain and increase in the feed conversion ratio in comparison to the control groups. Supplementation of DAE to the OTA mixed feed could significantly ameliorate the adverse effect of ochratoxin on the growth and feed conversion in broilers. The study concluded that diatomaceous earth is an effective adsorbent to decrease the toxic adverse effects of ochratoxin in broiler chicken.
Learning Deep Generative Models

Building intelligent systems that are capable of extracting high-level representations from high-dimensional sensory data lies at the core of solving many AI related tasks, including object recognition, speech perception, and language understanding. Theoretical and biological arguments strongly suggest that building such systems requires models with deep architectures that involve many layers of nonlinear processing. The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate that deep generative models that contain many layers of latent variables and millions of parameters can be learned efficiently, and that the learned high-level feature representations can be successfully applied in a wide spectrum of application domains, including visual object recognition, information retrieval, and classification and regression tasks. In addition, similar methods can be used for nonlinear dimensionality reduction. The first part of the thesis focuses on analysis and applications of probabilistic generative models called Deep Belief Networks. We show that these deep hierarchical models can learn useful feature representations from a large supply of unlabeled sensory inputs. The learned high-level representations capture a lot of structure in the input data, which is useful for subsequent problem-specific tasks, such as classification, regression or information retrieval, even though these tasks are unknown when the generative model is being trained. In the second part of the thesis, we introduce a new learning algorithm for a different type of hierarchical probabilistic model, which we call a Deep Boltzmann Machine. Like Deep Belief Networks, Deep Boltzmann Machines have the potential of learning internal representations that become increasingly complex at higher layers, which is a promising way of solving object and speech recognition problems. Unlike Deep Belief Networks and many existing models with deep architectures, the approximate inference procedure, in addition to a fast bottom-up pass, can incorporate top-down feedback. This allows Deep Boltzmann Machines to better propagate uncertainty about ambiguous inputs.
A 1.8 V, 0.3 mW, 10-bit SA-ADC with new self-timed timing control for biomedical applications

A new self-timed timing control and WRV (without reference voltage) algorithm based on the conventional SA-ADC architecture to detect biomedical signals is proposed in this paper. Using the new self-timed control method, the conversion time could be shortened to turn off the analog circuit earlier to lower the power consumption. In addition, a new WRV algorithm is introduced to remove the circuits of reference voltage sources in the DAC sub-circuit inside the SA-ADC. By this way, both INL and DNL errors of this SA-ADC are well controlled in 0.33LSB from simulation results. Also, the input range of this proposed SA-ADC can be extended to rail-to-rail.
Sequencing analysis of mutations induced by N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea at different sampling times in mouse bone marrow

In our previous study (Wang et al., 2004, Toxicol. Sci. 82: 124–128), we observed that the cII gene mutant frequency (MF) in the bone marrow of Big Blue mice showed significant increase as early as day 1, reached the maximum at day 3 and then decreased to a plateau by day 15 after a single dose of carcinogen N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU) treatment, which is different from the longer mutation manifestation time and the constancy of MFs after reaching their maximum in some other tissues. To determine the mechanism underlying the quick increase in MF and the peak formation in the mutant manifestation, we examined the mutation frequencies and spectra of the ENU‐induced mutants collected from different sampling times in this study. The cII mutants from days 1, 3 and 120 after ENU treatment were randomly selected from different animals. The mutation frequencies were 33, 217, 305 and 144 × 10−6 for control, days 1, 3, and 120, respectively. The mutation spectra at days 1 and 3 were significantly different from that at day 120. Considering that stem cells are responsible for the ultimate MF plateau (day 120) and transit cells are accountable for the earlier MF induction (days 1 or 3) in mouse bone marrow, we conclude that transit cells are much more sensitive to mutation induction than stem cells in mouse bone marrow, which resulted in the specific mutation manifestation induced by ENU. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of Quantitative and Allelic MGMT Methylation Patterns as a Prognostic Marker in Glioblastoma

Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene is a predictive and prognostic marker in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide but how MGMT methylation should be assessed to ensure optimal detection accuracy is debated. We developed a novel quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) MGMT assay capable of providing allelic methylation data and analyzed 151 glioblastomas from patients receiving standard of care treatment (Stupp protocol). The samples were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), standard bisulfite pyrosequencing, and genotyped for the rs1690252 MGMT promoter single nucleotide polymorphism. Monoallelic methylation was observed more frequently than biallelic methylation, and some cases with monoallelic methylation expressed the MGMT protein whereas others did not. The presence of MGMT methylation was associated with better overall survival (p = 0.006; qMSP and p = 0.002; standard pyrosequencing), and the presence of the protein was associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.009). Combined analyses of qMSP and standard pyrosequencing or IHC identified additional patients who benefited from temozolomide treatment. Finally, low methylation levels were also associated with better overall survival (p = 0.061; qMSP and p = 0.02; standard pyrosequencing). These data support the use of both MGMT methylation and MGMT IHC but not allelic methylation data as prognostic markers in patients with temozolomide-treated glioblastoma.
Circulating β (1-3) Glucan and Immunoglobulin G Subclass Antibodies to Candida albicans Cell Wall Antigens in Patients with Systemic Candidiasis

ABSTRACT Invasive candidiasis in patients who are immunocompromised or in intensive care units (ICUs) presents both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. We previously described antibodies that were directed against Candida albicans cell wall fragments (CW), periodate-treated CW (CWIO4), phosphopeptidomannan (PPM), and β(1-3) glucan. In this study, circulating fungal antigens [mannan and β(1-3) glucan] and immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass antibodies to these cell wall antigens (anti-CW) were analyzed in patients with systemic candidiasis. Sera were collected from 14 patients on two or three consecutive occasions, starting on the day when candidiasis was culture proven. The sera were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The control groups consisted of lactating mothers (n = 9) (group I) who had breast milk that was positive for C. albicans and also had acute inflammation of the nipples, and age-matched blood donors (n = 10) (group II). Within the first 3 weeks of Candida infection all of the patients were positive for β(1-3) glucan by the Gluspecy test, but no patients were positive for mannan in the less-sensitive Pastorex Candida test. The controls were negative for both β(1-3) glucan (<20 pg/ml) and mannan (<2.5 ng/ml). IgG1 anti-CW and IgG2 anti-PPM antibodies were the most discriminatory antibodies. The ratio of IgG1 anti-CW to IgG2 anti-PPM was significantly lower in nonsurviving patients than in the other patients within the first week of candidiasis (P = 0.019). The IgG2 levels of anti-CWIO4 and antiglucan antibodies correlated strongly (r = 0.681; P < 0.0001), and the absence of these antibodies was associated with increased levels of β(1-3) glucan. Increased levels of IgG1 anti-CW or IgG2 anti-PPM antibodies (titer of ≥3 logs) or of a combination of the two antibodies (log sum, ≥5) showed 92% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and positive predictive values. In conclusion, β(1-3) glucan and the two subclass antibodies appear to be early specific markers for the laboratory diagnosis of candidiasis. Furthermore, the kinetics of β(1-3) glucan appearance in serum may assist in evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of antifungal treatments.
Effectivity of X-ray test to evaluate the physiological quality of sesame seeds due to fruits position at the plant

The IAC-Ouro sesame cultivar has recently expanded to Brazilian Northeast, but the studies related to physiological quality and vigor of seeds produced under these conditions are scarce yet. Due to difference in fruits maturity from different parts of the plant, the aim of this study was to relate X-ray images with the seed maturation degree and evaluate the quality of seeds from fruits located on the lower, middle and upper third of the stem. We growth the sesame in an experimental area and harvest the fruits from different positions at 103 days after sown. Seeds were taken out from fruits and evaluated through the following tests at laboratory: germination test, germination first count, germination speed index and germination average time, dry mass of 1,000 seeds, seedling dry mass, electrical conductivity and X-ray test. The seeds of fruits from lower plant third showed similar quality to the middle plant third, while the upper plant third fruits provided seeds less vigorous. The X-ray test was efficient in evaluating the degree of maturation of seeds, indicating a better quality of seeds from the lower and middle third of the plant, verified by more radiopacity. The fruits from the bottom of stem develop first, and therefore, are the first to mature, which can be harvested early, without loss of seeds quality and vigor.
Secure device-to-device communications over WiFi direct

D2D communications facilitate proximal devices to directly communicate with each other, bypassing cellular base stations or access points, and bring many benefits such as improvement in both spectral efficiency and energy efficiency. Among existing D2D enabling techniques, the recently released WiFi Direct is one promising protocol that offers high data rate D2D communications in local areas. However, WiFi Direct is susceptible to security threats due to the open access of wireless channels and lack of security infrastructures. In this article, we identify several attacks that challenge WiFi-Direct-based D2D communications. Since pairwise key establishment lies in the area of securing D2D communications, we introduce a short authentication-string-based key agreement protocol and analyze its security performance. We also integrate the SAS-based key agreement protocol into the existing WiFi Direct protocol, and implement it using Android smartphones.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging of the abdomen at 3.0 Tesla: Image quality and apparent diffusion coefficient reproducibility compared with 1.5 Tesla

To compare single‐shot echo‐planar imaging (SS EPI) diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) of abdominal organs between 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T in healthy volunteers in terms of image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and ADC reproducibility.
Frequency of Symptomatic Relapses of Group A β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Tonsillopharyngitis in Children From 4 Pediatric Practices Following Penicillin, Amoxicillin, and Cephalosporin Antibiotic Treatment

The objective was to determine the frequency of early symptomatic relapses following antibiotic treatment for group A β-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis in children from Rochester, New York; Houston, Texas; Spokane, Washington; and Los Angeles, California (2004-2006). The study included 4278 patients. The proportion with a bacteriologic relapse of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis within 1 to 5 days of completing a 10-day treatment course was 8% (penicillin and bicillin), 6% (amoxicillin), 2% (first-generation cephalosporin), and 1% (second-generation and third-generation cephalosporin; P = .0001); symptomatic relapses occurred within 6 to 20 days after completion of therapy in 16%, 14%, 9%, and 7% of cases (P = .0001). Cases from New York and Washington had higher penicillin or amoxicillin failure rates than cases from Texas and California. The frequency of symptomatic relapses of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis, therefore, differs according to the antibiotic treatment selected; the trend for such relapses being penicillin or amoxicillin > cephalosporins although geographic differences may occur.
Multi-relational matrix factorization using bayesian personalized ranking for social network data

A key element of the social networks on the internet such as Facebook and Flickr is that they encourage users to create connections between themselves, other users and objects. One important task that has been approached in the literature that deals with such data is to use social graphs to predict user behavior (e.g. joining a group of interest). More specifically, we study the cold-start problem, where users only participate in some relations, which we will call social relations, but not in the relation on which the predictions are made, which we will refer to as target relations. We propose a formalization of the problem and a principled approach to it based on multi-relational factorization techniques. Furthermore, we derive a principled feature extraction scheme from the social data to extract predictors for a classifier on the target relation. Experiments conducted on real world datasets show that our approach outperforms current methods.
An Exponential-negative Binomial Distribution

• A new three-parameter distribution is proposed for modeling lifetime data. It is advocated as most reasonable among the many exponential mixture type distributions proposed in recent years. An account of the mathematical properties of the new distribution including estimation issues is presented. Two real data applications are described to show superior performance versus at least four of the known lifetime models. Key-Words: • exponential distribution; maximum likelihood estimation; negative binomial distribution. AMS Subject Classification: • Primary: 62E15; Secondary: 62E20. 192 M. Hajebi, S. Rezaei and S. Nadarajah An exponential-negative binomial distribution 193
On the complexity of equilibria

We prove complexity, approximability, and inapproximability results for the problem of finding an exchange equilibrium in markets with indivisible (integer) goods, most notably a polynomial-time algorithm that approximates the market equilibrium arbitrarily closely when the number of goods is bounded and the utilities are linear. We also show a communication complexity lower bound, implying that the ideal informational economy of a market with unique individual optima is unattainable in general.
Multiple testing corrections in quantitative proteomics: A useful but blunt tool

Multiple testing corrections are a useful tool for restricting the FDR, but can be blunt in the context of low power, as we demonstrate by a series of simple simulations. Unfortunately, in proteomics experiments low power can be common, driven by proteomics‐specific issues like small effects due to ratio compression, and few replicates due to reagent high cost, instrument time availability and other issues; in such situations, most multiple testing corrections methods, if used with conventional thresholds, will fail to detect any true positives even when many exist. In this low power, medium scale situation, other methods such as effect size considerations or peptide‐level calculations may be a more effective option, even if they do not offer the same theoretical guarantee of a low FDR. Thus, we aim to highlight in this article that proteomics presents some specific challenges to the standard multiple testing corrections methods, which should be employed as a useful tool but not be regarded as a required rubber stamp.