Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-Reactive Protein, Antiinflammatory Drugs, and Quality of Life in Diabetes

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important biological marker of inflammation that has been linked to cardiovascular disease. The extent to which the inflammatory processes associated with elevated CRP concentrations impair physical functioning and quality of life, and whether this is modulated by hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) and aspirin, which have been shown to lower CRP concentrations, is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an association exists between CRP concentrations and health-related quality of life among patients with diabetes, and to determine whether the association is affected by use of statins and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS: A trained interviewer collected self-reported information regarding demographics, health-related quality of life (SF-12), and medication use, and a nurse collected a blood sample from 86 adult subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were part of a larger population-based survey. The serum was analyzed for CRP using a highly sensitive assay. RESULTS: In simple bivariate analysis, there was a significant inverse relationship between CRP and the physical health component score of health-related quality of life (Spearman correlation coefficient [r] = −0.26; p = 0.025). For subjects on statins (r = −0.44; p = 0.02; n = 27), this relationship persisted, while for patients on NSAIDs or aspirin (r = −0.21; p = 0.17; n = 44), no relationship was observed. Similar findings were observed with self-rated health alone as an outcome variable. However, stepwise linear regression revealed no consistent relationship between CRP and health-related quality of life (i.e., standardized SF-12 physical component score) when demographic variables, disease duration, glucose control, serum creatinine, smoking, and medication use were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: In multivariate regression modeling, the initial inverse relationship between CRP and health-related quality of life was lost, suggesting that other covariates are responsible for this association. While statins and NSAIDs may impact CRP or health-related quality of life independently, they do not appear to modulate a relationship between these factors.
Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Measurements Do Not Improve Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Individuals With Elevated Blood Pressure: The USE-IMT Collaboration

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a marker of cardiovascular risk. It is unclear whether measurement of mean common CIMT improves 10-year risk prediction of first-time myocardial infarction or stroke in individuals with elevated blood pressure. We performed an analysis among individuals with elevated blood pressure (ie, a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg) in USE-IMT, a large ongoing individual participant data meta-analysis. We refitted the risk factors of the Framingham Risk Score on asymptomatic individuals (baseline model) and expanded this model with mean common CIMT (CIMT model) measurements. From both models, 10-year risks to develop a myocardial infarction or stroke were estimated. In individuals with elevated blood pressure, we compared discrimination and calibration of the 2 models and calculated the net reclassification improvement (NRI). We included 17 254 individuals with elevated blood pressure from 16 studies. During a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 2014 first-time myocardial infarctions or strokes occurred. The C-statistics of the baseline and CIMT models were similar (0.73). NRI with the addition of mean common CIMT was small and not significant (1.4%; 95% confidence intervals, −1.1 to 3.7). In those at intermediate risk (n=5008, 10-year absolute risk of 10% to 20%), the NRI was 5.6% (95% confidence intervals, 1.6–10.4). There is no added value of measurement of mean common CIMT in individuals with elevated blood pressure for improving cardiovascular risk prediction. For those at intermediate risk, the addition of mean common CIMT to an existing cardiovascular risk score is small but statistically significant.
Clinical and videofluoroscopic diagnosis of dysphagia in chronic encephalopathy of childhood*

Objective To evaluate the contribution of deglutition videofluoroscopy in the clinical diagnosis of dysphagia in chronic encephalopathy of childhood. Materials and Methods The study sample consisted of 93 children diagnosed with chronic encephalopathy, in the age range between two and five years, selected by convenience among patients referred to the authors' institution by speech therapists, neurologists and gastroenterologists in the period from March 2010 to September 2011. The data collection was made at two different moments, by different investigators who were blind to each other. Results The method presented low sensitivity for detecting aspiration with puree consistency (p = 0.04). Specificity and negative predictive value were high for clinical diagnosis of dysphagia with puree consistency. Conclusion In the present study, the value for sensitivity in the clinical diagnosis of dysphagia demonstrates that this diagnostic procedure may not detect any change in the swallowing process regardless of the food consistency used during the investigation. Thus, the addition of the videofluoroscopic method can significantly contribute to the diagnosis of dysphagia.
The Role of Obstetric Complications in Schizophrenia

The importance of obstetric complications in sporadic and familial psychoses was analyzed in 43 schizophrenic and 28 chronic schizoaffective patients. Patients and first-degree relatives were diagnosed using Research Diagnostic Criteria and the best-estimate procedure. Mothers of patients were interviewed for histories of pregnancy and obstetric complications in their offspring. Patients had more often suffered perinatal complications (42%) than their siblings (29%). The risk for obstetric complications and secondary cases of psychosis was enhanced in relatives of patients with a history of obstetric complications. Siblings with obstetric complications had a low incidence of psychoses; therefore, obstetric complications could not explain the occurrence of secondary cases of psychosis in siblings. Patients with familial psychoses had a higher incidence of obstetric complications than did sporadic cases (without reaching statistical significance). There was no inverse relationship between the history of obstetric complications in patients and the morbid risk of first-degree relatives for psychoses. The familial versus sporadic distinction revealed no subgroups where obstetric complications were of special relevance.
Lymph node staging by positron emission tomography in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the results of computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) for lymph node staging in patients with carcinoma of the cervix and to evaluate the relationship of the imaging findings to prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively compared the results of CT lymph node staging and whole-body FDG-PET in 101 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the cervix. Patients were treated with standard irradiation and chemotherapy (as clinically indicated) and observed at 3-month intervals for a median of 15.4 months (range, 2.5 to 30 months). Progression-free survival was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS CT demonstrated abnormally enlarged pelvic lymph nodes in 20 (20%) and para-aortic lymph nodes in seven (7%) of the 101 patients. PET demonstrated abnormal FDG uptake in pelvic lymph nodes in 67 (67%), in para-aortic lymph nodes in 21 (21%), and in supraclavicular lymph node in eight (8%). The 2-year progression-free survival, based solely on para-aortic lymph node status, was 64% in CT-negative and PET-negative patients, 18% in CT-negative and PET-positive patients, and 14% in CT-positive and PET-positive patients (P <.0001). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the most significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival was the presence of positive para-aortic lymph nodes as detected by PET imaging (P =.025). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that FDG-PET detects abnormal lymph node regions more often than does CT and that the findings on PET are a better predictor of survival than those of CT in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.
The influence of incorporation of silica and carbon nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of hybrid glass fiber reinforced epoxy

Recently, the study of hybrid nanocomposites has attracted much attention because they are highly expected for being used in many applications. In this context, there is an insisting need to investigate the effect of incorporation of silica and carbon particulates nanofillers into epoxy reinforced with woven and nonwoven tissue glass fiber. The influence of incorporation of silica (SiO2) and carbon black nanoparticles (C) with different weight fractions on the tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue performance of epoxy matrix reinforced with two types of E-glass fiber was investigated. The results showed an improvement in tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue life with addition of almost all nanoparticles contents considerably with respect to that of the neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites (NGFRE). Hybrid composites filled with 0.5 wt. % C exhibited the highest tensile strength and fatigue performance with an enhancement of 19% and 60% compared to NGFRE, respectively. An increase of 57% and 28% in tensile modulus and impact strength over NGFRE was obtained respectively with hybrid composites filled with 1 wt. % C. Adding 0.25 wt. % SiO2 and 0.25 wt. % C simultaneously showed an improvement in mechanical properties. SEM images of tensile and impact fracture surfaces are presented for CS 0.5 specimens which in turn reveal weak fiber/matrix interface.
Semi-Smooth Newton Methods for Optimal Control of the Dynamical Lamé System with Control Constraints

Optimal control problems governed by the dynamical Lamé system with additional constraints on the controls are analyzed. Different types of control action are considered: distributed, Neumann boundary and Dirichlet boundary control. To treat the inequality control constraints semi-smooth Newton methods are applied and their convergence is analyzed. Although semi-smooth Newton methods are widely studied in the context of PDE-constrained optimization little has been done in the context of the dynamical Lamé system. The novelty of the article is the proof that in case of distributed and Neumann boundary control the Newton method converges superlinearly. In case of Dirichlet control superlinear convergence is shown for a strongly damped Lamé system. The results are an extension of [14], where optimal control problems of the classical wave equation are considered. The control problems are discretized by finite elements and numerical examples are presented.
Real world experience with antiphospholipid antibody tests: how stable are results over time?

Objective: To determine the stability and the degree of variation of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) results over time in a large cohort of well evaluated aPL positive patients; and to analyse factors contributing to aPL variation and the validity of aPL in a real world setting in which aPL tests are done in multiple laboratories. Methods: The clinical characteristics, drug treatment, and 1652 data points for lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-β2GPI) were examined in 204 aPL positive patients; 81 of these met the Sapporo criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and 123 were asymptomatic bearers of aPL. Results: 87% of initially positive LA results, 88% of initially negative to low positive aCL results, 75% of initially moderate to high positive aCL results, 96% of initially negative to low positive anti-β2GPI results, and 76% of initially moderate to high positive anti-β2GPI results subsequently remained in the same range regardless of the laboratory performing the test. Aspirin, warfarin, and hydroxychloroquine use did not differ among patients whose aCL titres significantly decreased or increased or remained stable. On same day specimens, the consistency of aCL results among suppliers ranged from 64% to 88% and the correlation ranged from 0.5 to 0.8. Agreement was moderate for aCL IgG and aCL IgM; however, for aCL IgA agreement was marginal. Conclusions: aPL results remained stable for at least three quarters of subsequent tests, regardless of the laboratory performing the test; the small amount of variation that occurred did not appear to be caused by aspirin, warfarin, or hydroxychloroquine use.
Antagonistic Interactions Between the cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase and Tor Signaling Pathways Modulate Cell Growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotic cells integrate information from multiple sources to respond appropriately to changes in the environment. Here, we examined the relationship between two signaling pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that are essential for the coordination of cell growth with nutrient availability. These pathways involve the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and Tor proteins, respectively. Although these pathways control a similar set of processes important for growth, it was not clear how their activities were integrated in vivo. The experiments here examined this coordination and, in particular, tested whether the PKA pathway was primarily a downstream effector of the TORC1 signaling complex. Using a number of reporters for the PKA pathway, we found that the inhibition of TORC1 did not result in diminished PKA signaling activity. To the contrary, decreased TORC1 signaling was generally associated with elevated levels of PKA activity. Similarly, TORC1 activity appeared to increase in response to lower levels of PKA signaling. Consistent with these observations, we found that diminished PKA signaling partially suppressed the growth defects associated with decreased TORC1 activity. In all, these data suggested that the PKA and TORC1 pathways were functioning in parallel to promote cell growth and that each pathway might restrain, either directly or indirectly, the activity of the other. The potential significance of this antagonism for the regulation of cell growth and overall fitness is discussed.
Treatment of tinea capitis – a critical appraisal

Griseofulvin has been introduced in 1958, ever since it remained the gold standard for the treatment of tinea capitis in the United States. Despite the availability of new antifungals like terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole –with few exceptions not licensed for their use in children – duration of tinea capitis treatment could not be shortened. The reasons therefore are the anatomic structure of the hair follicle, the dormant sebum‐production before onset of puberty, and the way of action of the new antifungals. Although data concerning the pharmacokinetics of allylamines and triazoles in childhood‐populations are lacking, some experience confirms a correlation of the way of action of modern antifungals and the causative pathogen.
Cerebellar control of the inferior olive

A subpopulation of neurones in the cerebellar nuclei projects to the inferior olive, the source of the climbing fibre input to the cerebellum. This nucleo-olivary projection follows the zonal and, probably also, the microzonal arrangement of the cerebellum so that closed loops are formed between the neurones in the olive, the cerebellar cortex and the nuclei. The nucleo-olivary pathway is GABAergic, but several investigators argue that its main effect is to regulate electrotonic coupling between cells in the inferior olive rather than inhibit the olive. However, there is now strong evidence that the nucleo-olivary fibres do inhibit the olive. Three functions have been suggested for this inhibition: (i) feedback control of background activity in Purkinje cells, (ii) feedback control of learning, and (iii) gating of olivary input in general. Evidence is consistent with (i) and (ii). Activity in the nucleo-olivary pathway suppresses both synaptic transmission and background activity in the olive. When learned blink responses develop, the blink related part of the olive is inhibited while blinks are produced. When the nucleo-olivary pathway is interrupted, there is a corresponding increase in complex spike discharge in Purkinje cells followed by a strong suppression of simple spike firing. Stimulation of the pathway has the opposite results. It is concluded that the nucleo-olivary fibres are inhibitory and that they form a number of independent feedback loops, each one specific for a microcomplex, that regulate cerebellar learning as well as spontaneous activity in the olivo-cerebellar circuit.
Variations of the two-spiral task

The two-spiral task is a well-known benchmark for binary classification. The data consist of points on two intertwined spirals which cannot be linearly separated. This article reviews how this task and some of its variations have significantly inspired the development of several important methods in the history of artificial neural networks. The two-spiral task became popular for several different reasons: (1) it was regarded as extremely challenging; (2) it belonged to a suite of standard benchmark tasks; and (3) it had visual appeal and was convenient to use in pilot studies. The article also presents an example which demonstrates how small variations of the two-spiral task such as relative rotations of the two spirals can lead to qualitatively different generalisation results.
The Effects of Backwards Running Training on Forward Running Economy in Trained Males

Abstract Ordway, JD, Laubach, LL, Vanderburgh, PM, and Jackson, KJ. The effects of backwards running training on forward running economy in trained males. J Strength Cond Res 30(3): 763–767, 2016—Backwards running (BR) results in greater cardiopulmonary response and muscle activity compared with forward running (FR). BR has traditionally been used in rehabilitation for disorders such as stroke and lower leg extremity injuries, as well as in short bursts during various athletic events. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of sustained backwards running training on forward running economy in trained male athletes. Eight highly trained, male runners (26.13 ± 6.11 years, 174.7 ± 6.4 cm, 68.4 ± 9.24 kg, 8.61 ± 3.21% body fat, 71.40 ± 7.31 ml·kg−1·min−1) trained with BR while harnessed on a treadmill at 161 m·min−1 for 5 weeks following a 5-week BR run-in period at a lower speed (134 m·min−1). Subjects were tested at baseline, postfamiliarized, and post-BR training for body composition, a ramped V[Combining Dot Above]O2max test, and an economy test designed for trained male runners. Subjects improved forward running economy by 2.54% (1.19 ± 1.26 ml·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.032) at 215 m·min−1. V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, body mass, lean mass, fat mass, and % body fat did not change (p > 0.05). Five weeks of BR training improved FR economy in healthy, trained male runners without altering V[Combining Dot Above]O2max or body composition. The improvements observed in this study could be a beneficial form of training to an already economical population to improve running economy.
Integrating information from speech and physiological signals to achieve emotional sensitivity

Recently, there has been a significant amount of work on the recognition of emotions from speech and biosignals. Most approaches to emotion recognition so far concentrate on a single modality and do not take advantage of the fact that an integrated multimodal analysis may help to resolve ambiguities and compensate for errors. In this paper, we describe various methods for fusing physiological and voice data at the feature-level and the decision-level as well as a hybrid integration scheme. The results of the integrated recognition approach are then compared with the individual recognition results from each modality.
Improved named entity translation and bilingual named entity extraction

Translation of named entities (NE), including proper names, temporal and numerical expressions, is very important in multilingual natural language processing, like crosslingual information retrieval and statistical machine translation. We present an integrated approach to extract a named entity translation dictionary from a bilingual corpus while at the same time improving the named entity annotation quality. Starting from a bilingual corpus where the named entities are extracted independently for each language, a statistical alignment model is used to align the named entities. An iterative process is applied to extract named entity pairs with higher alignment probability. This leads to a smaller but cleaner named entity translation dictionary and also to a significant improvement of the monolingual named entity annotation quality for both languages. Experimental result shows that the dictionary size is reduced by 51.8% and the annotation quality is improved from 70.03 to 78.15 for Chinese and 73.38 to 81.46 in terms of F-score.
Brane necklaces and brane coils

We investigate the evolution of the networks of the cosmic strings in angled brane inflation. We show how they can be distinguished from the conventional ones. The cosmic strings in angled inflation are the daughter Dp−2 branes that are extended between the mother Dp branes. In the effective action, the strings should have a moduli, since the endpoints of the Dp−2 branes can move freely on the Dp branes. Then naturally the position of the Dp−2 branes, which corresponds to the moduli of the (1+1)-dimensional effective action, can vary along the cosmic strings. The variation of the moduli results in the peculiar (1+1)-dimensional kink configurations. The kinks are the monopoles on the strings. Therefore, the cosmic strings in angled inflation become necklaces. The loops of the necklaces can shrink to produce stable winding states, which look like coils. We show why the cosmological implications of the brane necklaces are important. We point out that the cosmic strings in generic models of brane inflation should become necklaces, depending on the structure of the compactified space and the effective potential of the model.
Attending to Moral Values

There has been an upsurge of interest in moral decision making, which appears to have some distinctive properties. For example, some moral decisions are so strongly influenced by ideas about how sacred entities are to be treated, that they seem to be relatively insensitive to the costs and benefits entailed (e.g., "do not allow companies to pollute the earth for a fee, even if pollution credits reduce pollution"). One interpretation of such decisions is that sacred values motivate rigid decision processes that ignore outcomes. This, however, seems paradoxical in that those who are most offended by acts of pollution, for example, likely care more about pollution than others do. Our analysis of the literature on moral decision making (including our own studies) suggests a framework based on a "flexible view," where both actions and outcomes are important, and where attentional processes are intimately involved in how the decision maker conceptualizes the problem, how actions and outcomes are weighted, and how protected values are translated into judgments. We argue that understanding the cognitive processes underlying morally motivated decision making offers one method for solving the puzzle of why such deeply entrenched commitments (the rigid view) vary widely in their expression across contexts (the flexible view).