Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond The Current Paradigm: Recent Advances in The Understanding of Sodium Handling – Guest Editors: Stanley Shaldon and Joerg Vienken: Salt, the Neglected Silent Killer

A diet high in salt (sodium chloride) is considered to promote a series of pathological sequaelae. Despite increasing scientific evidence, which supports the notion that reducing salt intake has positive long‐term effects, citizens from the Western Hemisphere consume more, not less salt. Changes in lifestyle of modern societies associated with an increased consumption of “fast food” contribute to this development leading to the “disease of the good life” which involves hypertension, cardiovascular events, and even inflammatory effects. By contrast, consuming diets with reduced salt content are associated with a smaller shift of body fluids from the interstitial into the intravascular space, less antihypertensive medication, a reduced asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) production and, after the generation TGFβ‐mRNA, to a lower mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) activation. Therefore, the recommendation of the clinical practice guidelines for dialysis [Depner et al. ( 14 )] (as well as numerous other guidelines) to reduce salt intake is not a surprise.
Learning and Representation of Declarative Memories by Single Neurons in the Human Brain

Episodic memories allow us to remember not only that we have seen an item before but also where and when we have seen it (context). Neurons in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) are critically involved in the acquisition of such memories. Since events happen only once, the ability to distinguish novel from familiar stimuli is crucial in order to rapidly encode such events after a single exposure. Theoretically, this is a hard learning problem (single-trial learning). Yet, successful detection of novelty is necessary for many types of learning. During retrieval, we can sometimes confidently report that we have seen something (familiarity) but cannot recollect where or when it was seen. Thus episodic memories have several components which can be recalled selectively. We recorded single neurons and local field potentials in the human hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex while subjects remembered, and later retrieved, the identity and location of pictures shown. We describe two classes of neurons that exhibit such single-trial learning: novelty and familiarity detectors, which show a selective increase in firing for new and old stimuli, respectively. The neurons retain memory for the stimulus for at least 24 h. During retrieval, these neurons distinguish stimuli that will be successfully recollected from stimuli that will not be recollected. Similarly, they distinguish between failed and successful recognition. Pictures which were forgotten by the patient still evoked a non-zero response. Thus, their response can be different from the decision of the patient. Also, we demonstrate that listening to these neurons (during retrieval) enables a simple decoder to outperform the patient (i.e., it forgets fewer pictures). These data support a continuous strength of memory model of MTL function: the stronger the neuronal response, the better the memory (as opposed to a dual-process model). I also describe specific power increases in specific frequencies of the local field potential that are predictive of later retrieval success. These neural signatures, recorded during learning, thus indicate whether plasticity was successful or not.
Mortality in HIV‐infected injection drug users with active vs cleared hepatitis C virus‐infection: a population‐based cohort study

Summary. Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may lead to chronic HCV‐infection with detectable HCV RNA or to spontaneous clearance with no HCV RNA, but detectable HCV antibodies. It is unknown whether HCV RNA status is associated with mortality in HIV‐infected injection drug users (IDUs). We conducted a nationwide population‐based cohort study to examine the impact of HCV RNA status on overall and cause‐specific mortality in HIV‐infected IDUs. We computed cumulative mortality and used Cox Regression to estimate mortality rate ratios (MRR). We identified 392 HIV‐infected patients of whom 284 (72%) had chronic HCV‐infection (HCV RNA positive patients) and 108 (28%) had cleared the HCV‐infection (HCV RNA negative patients). During 1286 person‐years of observation (PYR), 157 persons died (MR = 122/1000 PYR, 95% CI: 104–143). The estimated 5‐year probabilities of survival were 0.58 (95% CI: 0.51–0.65) in the chronically HCV‐infected and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.40–0.63) in the cleared HCV group. Chronic HCV‐infection was not associated with overall mortality: MRR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.59–1.21. In HIV‐infected Danish IDUs, chronic HCV‐infection is not associated with increased mortality compared to patients who have cleared the infection.
Evaluation of early computed tomographic findings in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Detection of large, hypoattenuated brain-tissue volume on hyperacute CT scan has been suggested as an exclusion criterion for early intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) treatment. This study assessed the reliability of detection for these findings and their relationship to outcome. METHODS Fifty hyperacute CT scans (<6 hours after ictus) were selected from a randomized trial evaluating IV-tPA (ATLANTIS trial). Three neuroradiologists blinded to all clinical information evaluated scans for degree of MCA territory involvement (<33% or >33%) and the presence of a hyperdense MCA. Evaluations were compared with 24-hour scan results, 30-day infarct volumes, and baseline NIH stroke scale scores (NIHSS). RESULTS Readers reliably evaluated the degree of MCA territory hypodensity (intraclass correlation=0.53, P<0.001), with all 3 readers agreeing in 36 of 50 cases (72%). They correctly called >33% involvement with a sensitivity of 60% to 85% and a specificity of 86% to 97%. The baseline NIHSS was higher when >33% MCA hypodensity was seen (P=0. 021). Detection of significant hypodensity (>33%) correlated with poorer outcome. When >33% hypodensity was not detected, mean 30-day infarct volumes were 27.0 to 33.0 cm3, versus 84.3 to 123.1 cm3 when >33% hypodensity was present (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Detection of MCA territory hypodensity on hyperacute CT scans is a sensitive, prognostic, and reliable indicator of the amount of MCA territory undergoing infarction.
Implementation of bi-level current driving technique for improved efficacy of high-power LEDs

Presently, amplitude mode (DC mode) and pulsewidth modulation (PWM) represent the two main driving techniques used in LED drivers. The dimming function with PWM driving technique is attractive although lower luminous efficacy and stresses on the LEDs due to pulsating power are the disadvantages in comparison to amplitude mode. This paper introduces a current driving technique to improve the luminous efficacy over the conventional PWM technique while maintaining the dimming capability. This is achieved by introducing a DC-offset into the conventional PWM current waveform. It is found that the luminous efficacy increases with increasing DC-offset while the stresses due to pulsating power are reduced. Implementation and verification of the proposed driving technique using a prototype driver are presented.
Learning English as a Second Language in Kindergarten: A Community of Practice Perspective.

L'A. presente une etude de terrain menee dans une classe de maternelle canadienne ou la moitie des eleves apprennent l'anglais comme langue seconde. En utilisant les notions de communaute de praticien et de participation peripherique legitime, cette etude ethnographique decrit la communaute dans laquelle ces nouveaux arrives participent de facon peripherique. L'A. analyse ainsi les identites, les ressources et les pratiques sociales que les communautes mettent a la disposition des nouveaux arrives, ainsi que l'organisation de la structure sociale de chaque communaute, ses relations de pouvoir et ses conditions de legitimite, afin de definir les possibilites d'apprentissage
Depressive Symptoms, HIV Medication Adherence, and HIV Clinical Outcomes in Tanzania: A Prospective, Observational Study

Depressive symptoms have been shown to independently affect both antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and HIV clinical outcomes in high-income countries. We examined the prospective relationship between depressive symptoms and adherence, virologic failure, and suppressed immune function in people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. Data from 403 study participants who were on stable ART and engaged in HIV clinical care were analyzed. We assessed crude and adjusted associations of depressive symptoms and ART adherence, both at baseline and at 12 months, using logistic regression. We used logistic generalized estimating equations to assess the association and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between depressive symptoms and both virologic failure and suppressed immune function. Ten percent of participants reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms at baseline and 31% of participants experienced virologic failure (>150 copies/ml) over two years. Depressive symptoms were associated with greater odds of reported medication nonadherence at both baseline (Odds Ratio [OR] per 1-unit increase = 1.18, 95% CI [1.12, 1.24]) and 12 months (OR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.03, 1.14]). By contrast, increases in depressive symptom score were inversely related to both virologic failure (OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.87, 1.00]) and immune system suppression (OR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.79, 0.99]), though the association between depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes was less precise than for the association with nonadherence. Findings indicate a positive association between depressive symptoms and nonadherence, and also an inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and clinical outcomes, possibly due to informative loss to follow-up.
CD 20 levels determine the in vitro susceptibility to rituximab and complement of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia : further regulation by CD 55 and CD 59

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity is thought to be an important mechanism of action of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. This study investigates the sensitivity of freshly isolated cells obtained from 33 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), 5 patients with prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), and 6 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) to be lysed by rituximab and complement in vitro. The results showed that in B-CLL and PLL, the levels of CD20, measured by standard immunofluorescence or using calibrated beads, correlated linearly with the lytic response (coefficient greater than or equal to 0.9; P < .0001). Furthermore, the correlation remained highly significant when the 6 patients with MCL were included in the analysis (coefficient 0.91; P < .0001), which suggests that CD20 levels primarily determine lysis regardless of diagnostic group. The role of the complement inhibitors CD46, CD55, and CD59 was also investigated. All B-CLL and PLL cells expressed these molecules, but at different levels. CD46 was relatively weak on all samples (mean fluorescence intensity less than 100), whereas CD55 and CD59 showed variability of expression (mean fluorescence intensity 20-1200 and 20250, respectively). Although CD55 and CD59 levels did not permit prediction of complement susceptibility, the functional block of these inhibitors demonstrated that they play an important role in regulating complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Thus, lysis of poorly responding B-CLL samples was increased 5to 6-fold after blocking both CD55 and CD59, whereas that of high responders was essentially complete in the presence of a single blocking antibody. These data demonstrate that CD20, CD55, and CD59 are important factors determining the in vitro response to rituximab and complement and indicate potential strategies to improve the clinical response to this biologic therapy. (Blood. 2001;98:3383-3389)
Pseudofacilitation: A temperature‐sensitive phenomenon

With sustained isometric exercise, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude of normal subjects may increase, a phenomenon known as pseudofacilitation. To explore the mechanism of pseudofacilitation, the effect of exercise combined with focal heating and cooling of abductor pollicis brevis was examined in 10 normal subjects. After 10 s of isometric exercise, CMAP amplitude increased by 3.6% (median value) at 32°C and 6.4% at 40°C, and decreased by 9.1% at 20°C. Duration decreased by 12.6% at 32°C and 11.7% at 42°C, but increased by 12.4% at 20°C. Area decreased by 9.8% at 32°C and 8.6% at 42°C, and increased by 1.1% at 20°C. Changes with cooling were significant (P < 0.01) as compared to baseline (32°C); changes with heating were not. Thus, cooling reverses the expected increase in CMAP amplitude normally seen with exercise. Although providing only indirect evidence, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that increased activity of muscle Na+,K+‐pump plays a role in producing pseudofacilitation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 115–118, 2000
Reflexive Relations, Extensive Transformations and Piecewise Testable Languages of a Given Height

Straubing deduced from Simon's theorem that monoids of reflexive relations as well as monoids of order preserving extensive transformations generate the pseudovariety of -trivial monoids. We refine these results by showing that each pseudovariety in Simon's hierarchy of -trivial monoids is generated by a single relation/transformation monoid. From this and from some results by Blanchet–Sadri we obtain a complete solution of the finite basis problem for Straubing's monoids.
Toward a Technology for Humanizing Education

There is described a method for compensating tail end of rolling materials for rolling shaped steel sections in an optimum manner. According to this method, in a continuous tension free rolling operation of a shaped steel section comprising a flat section and a flange section through a plural number of roll stands, the operating speed of a first roll stand is reduced by a predetermined amount as compared with a second or succeeding roll stand when the crop at the tail end of the rolling material enters the first rolling unit, thereby to prevent overfeeding.
Achieving cooperative diversity with multiple frequency offset estimation

In cooperative communications, estimation and compensation of multiple carrier frequency offsets is an important implementation issue that needs to be addressed in practice. This paper proposes an efficient maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) using alternating projection technique, for the joint estimation of Rayleigh fading channels and multiple carrier frequency offsets (MCFO) in cooperative communication systems. Our proposed equalizer incorporates these channel and MCFO estimates and uses matrix inverse technique to decode the transmitted symbols. Unlike existing schemes for equalizer design, the proposed design does not assume any perfect MCFO and/or channel estimate knowledge at the receiver or code redundancy or delay diversity and works for the full range (±0.5 cycles/sec) of the normalized frequency offsets. We present simulation results to illustrate that the Mean Square Error (MSE) of MCFO achieves the Cramér Rao Bound (CRB) above 7 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while the MSE of channel estimation achieves the CRB for all SNR values. In addition, the Bit Error Rate (BER) performance shows that our proposed equalizer can achieve the full spatial diversity gain of space-time block codes.
Efficient Learning of Harmonic Priors for Pitch Detection in Polyphonic Music

Automatic music transcription (AMT) aims to infer a latent symbolic representation of a piece of music (piano-roll), given a corresponding observed audio recording. Transcribing polyphonic music (when multiple notes are played simultaneously) is a challenging problem, due to highly structured overlapping between harmonics. We study whether the introduction of physically inspired Gaussian process (GP) priors into audio content analysis models improves the extraction of patterns required for AMT. Audio signals are described as a linear combination of sources. Each source is decomposed into the product of an amplitude-envelope, and a quasi-periodic component process. We introduce the Mat\'ern spectral mixture (MSM) kernel for describing frequency content of singles notes. We consider two different regression approaches. In the sigmoid model every pitch-activation is independently non-linear transformed. In the softmax model several activation GPs are jointly non-linearly transformed. This introduce cross-correlation between activations. We use variational Bayes for approximate inference. We empirically evaluate how these models work in practice transcribing polyphonic music. We demonstrate that rather than encourage dependency between activations, what is relevant for improving pitch detection is to learnt priors that fit the frequency content of the sound events to detect.
Towards Adapting Cars to their Drivers

Traditionally, vehicles have been considered as machines that are controlled by humans for the purpose of transportation. A more modern view is to envision drivers and passengers as actively interacting with a complex automated system. Such interactive activity leads us to consider intelligent and advanced ways of interaction leading to cars that can adapt to their drivers.In this paper, we focus on the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) technology that allows a vehicle to automatically adjust its speed to maintain a preset distance from the vehicle in front of it based on the driver’s preferences. Although individual drivers have different driving styles and preferences, current systems do not distinguish among users. We introduce a method to combine machine learning algorithms with demographic information and expert advice into existing automated assistive systems. This method can reduce the interactions between drivers and automated systems by adjusting parameters relevant to the operation of these systems based on their specific drivers and context of drive. We also learn when users tend to engage and disengage the automated system. This method sheds light on the kinds of dynamics that users develop while interacting with automation and can teach us how to improve these systems for the benefit of their users. While generic packages such as Weka were successful in learning drivers’ behavior, we found that improved learning models could be developed by adding information on drivers’ demographics and a previously developed model about different driver types. We present the general methodology of our learning procedure and suggest applications of our approach to other domains as well.
Why don't more women major in information systems?

Purpose – Increasing enrollments in colleges of business have not been matched by women majoring in the field of information systems (IS). This paper aims to explore reasons why women choose not to major in information technology disciplines and to suggest potential solutions.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a behavioral model based on the theory of reasoned action and a survey of the students enrolled in six sections of a college‐wide MIS course to help them answer the fundamental question “Why don't more women major in information systems? ” They also used partial least squares analysis to estimate the parameters of the model and the results of several open‐ended survey questions to validate their statistical findings, leading to a richer triangulation of study results.Findings – The study found that a “genuine interest in IS” and the “influence of family” most account for a woman's decision to major in information systems. Equally important are those items that did not appear to attract fe.
CXC Chemokine Ligand 2 Induced by Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand Enhances Osteoclastogenesis

CXCL2 has been known to regulate immune functions mainly by chemo-attracting neutrophils. In this study, we show that CXCL2 can be induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, the osteoclast (OC) differentiation factor, through JNK and NF-κB signaling pathways in OC precursor cells. CXCL2 in turn enhanced the proliferation of OC precursor cells of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) through the activation of ERK. Knockdown of CXCL2 inhibited both the proliferation of and the ERK activation in BMMs. During osteoclastogenesis CXCL2 stimulated the adhesion and the migration of BMMs. Moreover, the formation of OCs from BMMs was significantly increased on treatment with CXCL2. Conversely, the CXCL2 antagonist repertaxin and a CXCL2 neutralizing Ab potently reduced receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, CXCL2 evoked fulminant bone erosion in the in vivo mouse experiments. Finally, prominent upregulation of CXCL2 was detected in synovial fluids and sera from rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting a potential involvement of CXCL2-mediated osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis-associated bone destruction. Thus, CXCL2 is a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory bone destructive diseases.
Hyperglycemia after pediatric cardiac surgery: Impact of age and residual lesions*

Objective:We evaluated the effect of patient age and significant residual cardiac lesions on the association between hyperglycemia and adverse outcomes in children after cardiac surgery. The incidence, severity, and duration of hyperglycemia in this patient population and perioperative factors predisposing to hyperglycemia were also delineated. Design:Retrospective, observational cohort study. Setting:Eighteen-bed pediatric cardiac critical care unit. Patients:Seven hundred seventy-two children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass during 2006 and 2007. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Postoperative glucose levels were reviewed in all children who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution during 2006 and 2007 who met all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria (n = 772). The composite morbidity–mortality outcome included hospital death, cardiac arrest, renal/hepatic failure, lactic acidosis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, or infection. Hyperglycemia occurred in 90% of patients and resolved within 72 hrs in most without exogenous insulin. Preoperative factors, including prostaglandins, mechanical ventilation, and cyanosis, were significantly associated with increased odds of significant hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL for >12 hrs or any level >270 mg/dL) as were increased surgical complexity and perioperative steroid administration. Thirty-one percent of the entire cohort reached the composite outcome and the odds were significantly increased after 54 hrs of mild (elevated, but <180 mg/dL), 12 hrs of moderate (180–270 mg/dL), or any period of severe hyperglycemia (>270 mg/dL). Neonates (<1 month of age) tolerated longer periods of hyperglycemia before showing increased odds of reaching the composite morbidity–mortality end point. In the setting of important residual cardiac lesions, mild or moderate hyperglycemia was not as strongly associated with adverse outcomes. Conclusions:Age and residual cardiac lesions are important modifiers of the association between hyperglycemia and suboptimal outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery. Use of insulin therapy for glucose control in this patient population may need to be carefully targeted toward high-risk subsets of patients.