Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiectasis, and other sequelae of adenovirus type 21 infection in young children

A remarkably high incidence of bronchiectasis and other pulmonary sequelae was observed in young children affected during an epidemic of severe lower respiratory tract infections apparently caused by adenovirus type 21. The histopathological findings are described in four cases in which one or both lungs were obtained for examination at intervals ranging from two months to three years after the acute infections. Widespread bronchiolar obliteration (bronchiolitis obliterans) was a striking finding in all four. The severity of bronchial inflammation and of bronchiectasis was proportional to the time elapsed since the acute infections. Bronchiolar obliteration is a likely sequel of the necrotizing bronchiolitis which may occur during acute adenovirus infections. The role of bronchiolar obliteration in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis and other chronic lung disease is discussed. Adenoviruses may be a major cause of post-infectious bronchiectasis in childhood.
Motivation-Aware Task Assignment in Crowdsourcing

We investigate how to leverage the notion of motivation in assigning tasks to workers and improving the performance of a crowdsourcing system. In particular, we propose to model motivation as the balance between task diversity–i.e., the difference in skills among the tasks to complete, and task payment–i.e., the difference between how much a chosen task offers to pay and how much other available tasks pay. We propose to test different task assignment strategies: (1) relevance, a strategy that assigns matching tasks, i.e., those that fit a worker's profile, (2) diversity, a strategy that chooses matching and diverse tasks, and (3) div-pay, a strategy that selects matching tasks that offer the best compromise between diversity and payment. For each strategy , we study multiple iterations where tasks are reassigned to workers as their motivation evolves. At each iteration, relevance and diversity assign tasks to a worker from an available pool of filtered tasks. div-pay, on the other hand, estimates each worker's motivation on-the-fly at each iteration, and uses it to assign tasks to the worker. Our empirical experiments study the impact of each strategy on overall performance. We examine both requester-centric and worker-centric performance dimensions and find that different strategies prevail for different dimensions. In particular, relevance offers the best task throughput while div-pay achieves the best outcome quality.
Rate Enhancement for the Gaussian Z-Interference Channel with Transmitter Cooperation

We study a two-user Gaussian Z-interference channel in which only one-sided interference exists. We assume that there is a one-sided conferencing link from the interfering transmitter to the other, which can be used to mitigate the interference. We propose a cooperative transmission scheme that delivers a part of the interfering message through the conferencing link and then applies the dirty paper coding by regarding the delivered message as a known transmit side information. We characterize its achievable rate region for general channel coefficients and show that a finite-rate conferencing can improve both achievable rate region and its sum rate.
Genetic variation within and among populations of the threatened lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in Switzerland and implications for its conservation

The foliose epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria has suffered a significant decline in European lowlands during the last decades and therefore is considered as endangered throughout Europe. An assessment of the genetic variability is necessary to formulate biologically sound conservation recommendations for this species. We investigated the genetic diversity of the fungal symbiont of L. pulmonaria using 143 specimens sampled from six populations (two small, one medium, three large) in the lowland, the Jura Mountains, the pre‐Alps and the Alps of Switzerland. Among all nuclear and mitochondrial regions sequenced for this study, variability was found only in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS I), with three polymorphic sites, and in the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU), with four polymorphic sites. The variable sites in the nrLSU are all located within a putative spliceosomal intron. We sequenced these two regions for 81 specimens and detected six genotypes. Two genotypes were common, two were found only in the more diverse populations and two were found only in one population each. There was no correlation between population size and genetic diversity. The highest genetic diversity was found in populations where the fungal symbiont is reproducing sexually. Populations with low genetic diversity included only the two same common genotypes. Our study provides evidence suggesting that L. pulmonaria is self‐incompatible and heterothallic. Based on our results we give populations with sexually reproducing individuals a higher rank in terms of conservation priority than strictly asexual populations. The remaining lowland populations are so small, that one single catastrophic event such as a windthrow might destroy the entire population. Hence we suggest augmenting such populations in size and genetic diversity using small thallus fragments or vegetative diaspores collected in other populations. As we did not detect any locally adapted genotypes, these transplants can be taken from any other genetically diverse population in Switzerland.
Model-based alarm correlation in cellular phone networks

Though cellular phone networks already contain intelligent network elements diagnosing local faults, alarm bursts caused by network element failures cannot be handled properly by this technology. It is the responsibility of the operators to extract the relevant alarms from such a burst and identify the cause. To assist the operators, several alarm correlation tools have been developed. The paper introduces a model-based solution to the problem of alarm correlation. We use an abstract simulation model to predict the propagation of alarm messages through the network. By comparing the predicted behavior with the actual alarm pattern, the cause of the alarms is identified. The paper describes the model and its implementation using the diagnosis system DRUM-II.
Integrated device for optical stimulation and spatiotemporal electrical recording of neural activity in light-sensitized brain tissue

Neural stimulation with high spatial and temporal precision is desirable both for studying the real-time dynamics of neural networks and for prospective clinical treatment of neurological diseases. Optical stimulation of genetically targeted neurons expressing the light sensitive channel protein Channelrhodopsin (ChR2) has recently been reported as a means for millisecond temporal control of neuronal spiking activities with cell-type selectivity. This offers the prospect of enabling local delivery of optical stimulation and the simultaneous monitoring of the neural activity by electrophysiological means, both in the vicinity of and distant to the stimulation site. We report here a novel dual-modality hybrid device, which consists of a tapered coaxial optical waveguide (‘optrode’) integrated into a 100 element intra-cortical multi-electrode recording array. We first demonstrate the dual optical delivery and electrical recording capability of the single optrode in in vitro preparations of mouse retina, photo-stimulating the native retinal photoreceptors while recording light-responsive activities from ganglion cells. The dual-modality array device was then used in ChR2 transfected mouse brain slices. Specifically, epileptiform events were reliably optically triggered by the optrode and their spatiotemporal patterns were simultaneously recorded by the multi-electrode array.
Invasion and adaptation of a warm-adapted species to montane localities: effect of acclimation potential

SUMMARY Drosophila ananassae has successfully invaded the cold and dry montane localities of the Western Himalayas in recent years. The ability of this desiccation- and cold-sensitive tropical species to evolve in response to seasonal changes in montane localities is largely unknown. Here, we investigated how this sensitive species adapt to seasonally varying environmental conditions that are lethal to its survival. We observed change in the frequency of dark and light morphs of D. ananassae in five mid-altitude localities during the last decade (2000–2010). We document invasion of D. ananassae to montane localities and increase in frequency of the dark morph. The stress tolerance of morphs (dark and light) remained unaffected of developmental acclimation. However, adult acclimation has shown significant effects on tolerance to various environmental stresses in morphs and effect of this acclimation persist for long durations. Desiccation and cold stress tolerance was increased after adult acclimation for respective stress in the dark morph; while tolerance of the light morph was not affected. Further, heat tolerance of the light morph was increased after adult heat acclimation with no influence on heat tolerance of the dark morph. Our results suggest a possible role of adult acclimation in successful invasion and adaptation of D. ananassae to montane localities. Future experiments should be carried out to determine whether the survival in adverse conditions of low versus high temperature and humidity during seasonal changes is assisted by different acclimation abilities of the two morphs of D. ananassae.
A Primer of Neoclassical (Traditional) and Behavioral Economic Principles for Organ Transplantation: Part 1.

The process of organ transplantation is the culmination of many unique and differentiated individual decisions. Examples of individual decisions on the patient side are the decision to be placed on an organ waiting list, the surgeon’s decision to select desired organ characteristics [ie, Extended Criteria Donor (ECD) organ], the decision to accept or reject an organ that is offered and the type of posttransplant care. Examples on the donor side are the decision to be placed on the donor registry, the next-of-kin donation decisions and the donation decisions of living donors. Developing a better understanding of these individual decisions will facilitate the creation of a more efficient organ transplantation process. A number of neoclassical and behavioral economic principles can be used to address this need. This primer serves as an illustration of how applying these economic principles can be used to advance our understanding of the organ transplant process. The foundation of neoclassical, or traditional, economic theory is expected utility theory. However, a number of behavioral anomalies (ie, Allias Paradox) have arisen which cannot be explained by expected utility theory and the field of behavioral economics has arisen to address these behavioral anomalies (i.e., prospect theory). In our discussion, we will first discuss the tools of neoclassical economic theory and their application to organ transplantation and then expand the discussion to theories in behavioral economics that may enrich our understanding.
Prevalence of Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Norovirus, and Astrovirus Infections and Coinfections among Hospitalized Children in Northern France

ABSTRACT From January to December 2007, 973 stool specimens were prospectively collected from children hospitalized for gastroenteritis signs or from neonates and premature cases who were born in two French hospital settings in the north of France. They were tested by rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analyses for rotavirus and adenovirus and by two commercially available ELISA tests for the detection of norovirus and astrovirus. The overall rates of prevalence for rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus were 21, 13, 5, and 1.8%, respectively, and they did not significantly differ between the two hospital settings (P = 0.12). Mixed virus infections were detected in 32 (3.3%) of the 973 study children and were associated with norovirus in 21 (66%) infants, including 5 premature cases. From fall to spring, norovirus infections accounted for 52% of documented gastroenteritidis viral infections at a time when rotavirus was epidemic, resulting in mixed norovirus and rotavirus gastrointestinal tract infections. Of the 367 documented viral gastroenteritis cases, 15 (4.1%) were identified as nosocomial infections, 5 of which occurred in premature cases. These findings highlight the need to implement norovirus and astrovirus ELISA detection assays in association with rapid EIA rotavirus and adenovirus detection assays for the clinical diagnosis and the nosocomial prevention of gastroenteritis viral infections in pediatric departments.
Clinical and Biological Features of Interval Colorectal Cancer

Interval colorectal cancer (I-CRC) is defined as a CRC diagnosed within 60 months after a negative colonoscopy, taking into account that 5 years is the “mean sojourn time. ” It is important to prevent the development of interval cancer. The development of interval colon cancer is associated with female sex, old age, family history of CRC, comorbidities, diverticulosis, and the skill of the endoscopist. During carcinogenesis, sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) share many genomic and colonic site characteristics with I-CRCs. The clinical and biological features of I-CRC should be elucidated to prevent the development of interval colon cancer.
Pushing around the Locus of Selection: Evidence for the Flexible-selection Hypothesis

Attention operates at an early stage in some experimental paradigms and at a late stage in others, which suggests that the locus of selection is flexible. The present study was designed to determine whether the locus of selection can vary flexibly within a single experimental paradigm as a function of relatively modest variations in stimulus and task parameters. In the first experiment, a new method for assessing the locus of selection was developed. Specifically, attention can influence perceptual encoding only if it is directed to the target before a perceptual representation of the target has been formed, whereas attention can influence postperceptual processes even if attention is cued after perception is complete. Event-related potentials were used to confirm the validity of this method. The subsequent experiments used cueing tasks in which subjects were required to perceive and remember a set of objects, and the difficulty of the perception and memory components of the task were varied. When the task overloaded perception but not working memory, attention influenced the formation of perceptual representations but not the storage of these representations in memory; when the task overloaded working memory but not perception, attention influenced the transfer of perceptual representations into memory but not the formation of the perceptual representations. Thus, attention operates to select relevant information at whatever stage or stages of processing are overloaded by a particular stimulus-task combination.
Signal to act : game theory in pragmatics

This thesis offers a general game theoretic model of language use and interpretation and applies it to linguistic pragmatics in the vein of Grice (1989). The model presented here —called the ibr model explains pragmatic phenomena, such as conversational implicatures, as arising from a sequence of iterated best responses: starting from the literal, semantic meaning as a psychologically salient attractor of attention, speaker and hearer initially compute the rational best responses to a literal use or interpretation of expressions; subsequently, agents continue computing best responses to best responses, for as long as this is reasonable and their cognitive resources permit.
Novel switching techniques for reducing the speed ripple of AC drives with direct torque control

The main theme of this paper is to present novel switching techniques, which insert zero-voltage vectors and/or more nonzero-voltage vectors to the conventional switching table, for AC drives with direct torque control. For the same sampling frequency of a drive controller, the proposed techniques are quite effective in reducing the torque pulsation and the speed ripples of the motors, as demonstrated in several experimental results. Moreover, the experimental confirmations have been made not only on an induction machine but also on a permanent-magnet synchronous machine.
Cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis (CAMS) study: safety and efficacy data for 12 months follow up

Objective: To test the effectiveness and long term safety of cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis (MS), in a follow up to the main Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis (CAMS) study. Methods: In total, 630 patients with stable MS with muscle spasticity from 33 UK centres were randomised to receive oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabis extract, or placebo in the main 15 week CAMS study. The primary outcome was change in the Ashworth spasticity scale. Secondary outcomes were the Rivermead Mobility Index, timed 10 metre walk, UK Neurological Disability Score, postal Barthel Index, General Health Questionnaire-30, and a series of nine category rating scales. Following the main study, patients were invited to continue medication, double blinded, for up to12 months in the follow up study reported here. Results: Intention to treat analysis of data from the 80% of patients followed up for 12 months showed evidence of a small treatment effect on muscle spasticity as measured by change in Ashworth score from baseline to 12 months (Δ9-THC mean reduction 1·82 (n = 154, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 3.12), cannabis extract 0.10 (n = 172, 95% CI −0.99 to 1.19), placebo −0.23 (n = 176, 95% CI −1.41 to 0.94); p = 0.04 unadjusted for ambulatory status and centre, p = 0.01 adjusted). There was suggestive evidence for treatment effects of Δ9-THC on some aspects of disability. There were no major safety concerns. Overall, patients felt that these drugs were helpful in treating their disease. Conclusions: These data provide limited evidence for a longer term treatment effect of cannabinoids. A long term placebo controlled study is now needed to establish whether cannabinoids may have a role beyond symptom amelioration in MS.
Software Engineering: Problems and Perspectives

As software applications become more complex, software engineering will evolve. Specification languages, rapid prototyping, complexity metrics, and maintenance techniques will be its most significant products. Computer users first became aware of a software crisis 15 years ago. Software projects were being delivered far behind schedule, quality was poor, and maintenance was expensive. And as more complex software applications were found, programmers fell further behind the demand and their results were of poorer quality. The high demand and comparatively low productivity drove software costs up. In the US in 1980, software cost approximately $40 billion, or two percent of the gross national product. I Dolotta estimates that by the year 1985, the cost of software will be approximately 8.5 percent of the GNP,2 while Steel points to 13 percent by 1990.3 And in recognition of the importance of software engineering, the Department of Defense began a software initiative and has plans for establishing a software engineering institute. Software engineering is a relatively new discipline. It seeks to devise techniques for software development.
Computers and Mathematics with Applications Discrete Schemes for Gaussian Curvature and Their Convergence

The popular angular defect schemes for Gaussian curvature only converge at the regular vertex with valence 6. In this paper, we present a new discrete scheme for Gaussian curvature, which converges at the regular vertex with valence greater than 4. We show that it is impossible to build a discrete scheme for Gaussian curvature which converges at the regular vertex with valence 4 by a counterexample. We also study the convergence property of other discrete schemes for Gaussian curvature and compare their asymptotic errors by numerical experiments.
Bimodal Viral Vectors and In Vivo Imaging Reveal the Fate of Human Neural Stem Cells in Experimental Glioma Model

Transplantation of genetically engineered cells into the CNS offers immense potential for the treatment of several neurological disorders. Monitoring expression levels of transgenes and following changes in cell function and distribution over time is critical in assessing therapeutic efficacy of such cells in vivo. We have engineered lentiviral vectors bearing fusions between different combinations of fluorescent and bioluminescent marker proteins and used bioluminescence imaging and intravital-scanning microscopy in real time to study the fate of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) at a cellular resolution in glioma-bearing brains in vivo. Using Renilla luciferase (Rluc)-DsRed2 or GFP-Rluc-expressing malignant human glioma model, transduced hNSCs were shown to migrate extensively toward gliomas, with hNSCs populating gliomas at 10 d after transplantation. Furthermore, transduced hNSCs survived longer in mice with gliomas than in normal brain, but did not modulate glioma progression in vivo. These studies demonstrate the utility of bimodal viral vectors and real-time imaging in evaluating fate of NSCs in diseased models and thus provide a platform for accelerating cell-based therapies for CNS disorders.
Characterization of circulating endothelial microparticles and endothelial progenitor cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome: new markers of chronic endothelial damage?

OBJECTIVE Chronic autoimmune diseases are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death. Endothelial dysfunction represents the first stage of subclinical atherosclerosis and multiple factors contribute to endothelial injury. Among these, an altered balance between endothelial microparticle (EMP) release and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) generation promotes endothelial dysfunction. The role of EMPs and EPCs in promoting endothelial damage in primary SS (pSS) has never been investigated. Our aim was to evaluate the role of EMPs and EPCs as markers of endothelial damage in pSS and their correlation with disease clinical and immunological features. METHODS Circulating EMPs (CD31(+)/CD42(-)), true EPCs (CD34(+)/KDR(+)/CD133(+)) and mature EPCs (CD34(+)/KDR(+)/CD133(-)) were quantified by FACS analysis in 34 pSS patients and 18 age- and sex-matched controls. Correlation between EMP and EPC levels and parameters of disease activity and damage, clinical features and markers of immunological dysfunction was performed. RESULTS Patients displayed higher EMP numbers with respect to healthy controls [HCs; mean 450 n/μl (S.D. 155) vs 231 (110), P < 0.0001]. EPC and mature EPC levels were higher in patients compared with HCs [mean 226 n/ml (S.D. 181) vs 69 (53), P < 0.001 and 166 (161) vs 36 (32), P < 0.0001, respectively). EMP levels directly correlated with disease duration from symptoms and diagnosis (ρ = 0.5, P < 0.01). Early EPCs inversely correlated with disease duration from symptoms (ρ = -0.5, P < 0.01) and diagnosis (ρ = -0.4, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This is the first demonstration of chronic endothelial fragmentation characterizing pSS. The reparative potentiality of the endothelial layer appears to be preserved in the earliest stages of disease. During the course of the disease, progressive exhaustion of the precursor endothelial pool may be hypothesized, leading to defective vascular layer restoration and endothelial dysfunction.
Structure of Salvioccidentalin, a Diterpenoid with a Rearranged neo-Clerodane Skeleton from Salvia occidentalis

From the aerial parts of Salvia occidentalis (Labiatae) a new diterpenoid with a rearranged neo-clerodane skeleton was isolated. This new compound was named salvioccidentalin and its structure was established by spectroscopic means. A probable biogenetic relationship with salvigenolide from S. fulgens and salvileucalin A and spiroleucantholide from Salvia leucantha is proposed.