Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causes of Death among People Living with AIDS in the Pre- and Post-HAART Eras in the City of São Paulo, Brazil

Objective We examine the trend in causes of death among people living with AIDS in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in the periods before and after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and we investigate potential disparities across districts of residence. Methods Descriptive study of three periods: pre-HAART (1991–1996); early post-HAART (1997–1999); and late post-HAART (2000–2006). The data source was the São Paulo State STD/AIDS Program and São Paulo State Data Analysis Foundation. Causes of death were classified by the ICD-9 (1991–1995) and ICD-10 (1996–2006). We estimated age-adjusted mortality rates for leading underlying causes of death and described underlying and associated causes of death according to sociodemographic characteristics and area of residence. We used Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to compare categorical variables. Areas of residence were categorized using a socioeconomic index. To analyze trends we apply generalized linear model with Poisson regression. Results We evaluated 32,808 AIDS-related deaths. Between the pre- and late post-HAART periods, the proportion of deaths whose underlying causes were non-AIDS-related diseases increased from 0.2% to 9.6% (p<0.001): from 0.01% to 1.67% (p<0.001) for cardiovascular diseases; 0.01% to 1.62% (p<0.001) for bacterial/unspecified pneumonia; and 0.03% to 1.46% (p<0.001) for non-AIDS-defining cancers. In the late post-HAART period, the most common associated causes of death were bacterial/unspecified pneumonia (35.94%), septicemia (33.46%), cardiovascular diseases (10.11%) and liver diseases (8.0%); and common underlying causes, besides AIDS disease, included non-AIDS-defining cancers in high-income areas, cardiovascular diseases in middle-income areas and assault in low-income areas. Conclusions The introduction of HAART has shifted the mortality profile away from AIDS-related conditions, suggesting changes in the pattern of morbidity, but heterogeneously according to area of residence. There is a need for public policies aimed at adapting health care services to address the new scenario.
Trust me (or not): Regret and disappointment in experimental economic games.

Emotional states exert an influence on trust and the reciprocation of trust. The current research found that regret and disappointment, though both negatively valenced, have distinct effects on trust (and trustworthiness). Three experiments showed that regret decreased trust and trustworthiness, whereas disappointment increased them. Regret elicited both lower initial transfers and returns in a trust game. Conversely, disappointment gave rise to both higher initial transfers and returns in the same game. The implications of our results are discussed. The findings once again demonstrate that emotions play a crucial role on decision-making.
Speakers adapt gestures to addressees' knowledge: implications for models of co-speech gesture

Are gesturing and speaking shaped by similar communicative constraints? In an experiment, we teased apart communicative from cognitive constraints upon multiple dimensions of speech-accompanying gestures in spontaneous dialogue. Typically, speakers attenuate old, repeated or predictable information but not new information. Our study distinguished what was new or old for speakers from what was new or old for (and shared with) addressees. In 20 groups of 3 naive participants, speakers retold the same Road Runner cartoon story twice to one addressee and once to another. We compared the distribution of gesture types, and the gestures' size and iconic precision across retellings. Speakers gestured less frequently in stories retold to Old Addressees than New Addressees. Moreover, the gestures they produced in stories retold to Old Addressees were smaller and less precise than those retold to New Addressees, although these were attenuated over time as well. Consistent with our previous findings about speaking, gesturing is guided by both speaker-based (cognitive) and addressee-based (communicative) constraints that affect both planning and motoric execution. We discuss the implications for models of co-speech gesture production.
Physiology and pathophysiology of the interstitial cells of Cajal: from bench to bedside. IV. Genetic and animal models of GI motility disorders caused by loss of interstitial cells of Cajal.

Several human motility disorders have been shown to be associated with loss or defects in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) networks. Because tissue samples for these studies were taken from patients with well-advanced motility problems, it is difficult to determine whether the loss of ICC is a cause or a consequence of the disease process. To establish the cause-and-effect relationship of ICC loss in motility disorders, it may be feasible to use animal models in which ICC are lost as motility dysfunction develops. Several models with defects in ICC networks have been developed, and these include animals with defects in the Kit signaling pathway (e.g., white-spotting mutants that have defects in Kit receptors; steel mutants that have mutations in stem cell factor, the ligand for Kit; and animals that are chronically treated with reagents that block Kit or downstream signaling proteins). ICC do not die when Kit signaling is blocked, rather, they redifferentiate into a smooth muscle-like phenotype. Diabetic animals (NOD/LtJ mice), animals with chronic bowel obstruction, and inflammatory bowel models also have defects in ICC networks that have been associated with motility disorders. By studying these models with molecular and genomic techniques it may be possible to determine the signals that cause loss of ICC and find ways of restoring ICC to dysfunctional tissues. This article discusses recent progress in the utilization of animal models to study the consequences of losing ICC on the development of motility disorders.
Determinants of Summiting Success and Acute Mountain Sickness on Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 m)

Abstract Objective. —To determine the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS), the frequency of summiting success, and the factors that affect these in trekkers on Kilimanjaro, one of the world's most summitted high-altitude peaks. Methods. —The study group comprised 312 trekkers attempting Mt Kilimanjaro summit by the Marango Route. Trekkers ascended over 4 or 5 days along a fixed ascent profile, stopping at 3 huts on ascent (2700 m, 3700 m, and 4700 m) before attempting the summit. Researchers were stationed at each hut for 16 days. Each night we measured heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and Lake Louise Score. We recorded the highest altitude that trekkers reached on the mountain. Results. —Of 181 complete sets of data, 111 (61%) trekkers reached the summit, and 139 (77%) developed AMS. Physiological results were not related to summit success. The incidence of AMS and summiting success were similar in those on the 4- or 5-day route. Trekkers on the 5-day route who used acetazolamide were less likely to develop AMS and more likely to summit than were those not taking acetazolamide (P = <.05); this difference was not present with trekkers on the 4-day route. Conclusions. —The risk of developing AMS is high on Mt Kilimanjaro. Although taking an extra day to acclimatize with the use of acetazolamide did provide some protection against AMS, ideally trekkers need a more gradual route profile for climbing this mountain.
Computational modeling of the role of discourse information in language production and acquisition

This dissertation explores the role of discourse information in language production and language acquisition. Discourse information plays an important role in various aspects of linguistic processes and learning. However, characterizing what it is and how it is used has been challenging. Previous studies on discourse tend to focus on the correlations between certain discourse factors and speaker/comprehender’s behavior, rather than looking at how the discourse information is used in the system of language and why. This dissertation aims to provide novel insights into the role of discourse information by formalizing how it is represented and how it is used. First, I formalize the latent semantic information in humans’ discourse representations by examining speakers’ choices of referring expressions. Simulation results suggest that topic models can capture aspects of discourse representations that are relevant to the choices of referring expressions, beyond simple referent frequency. Second, I propose a language production model that extends the rational speech act model from M. Frank and Goodman (2012) to incorporate updates to listeners’ beliefs as
Enhanced sample preparation for quantitation of microcystins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION Microcystins (MCs) are a group of cyanotoxins which pose a serious health threat when present in aquatic systems. Quantitative analysis of MCs by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has potential for the processing of large numbers of samples quickly and economically. The existing method uses an expensive internal standard and protocols that are incompatible with automated sample preparation and data acquisition. OBJECTIVE To produce a MALDI-TOF sample preparation technique for the quantitation of MCs that not only maintains reproducibility and sensitivity, but is also compatible with an automated work-flow. METHODOLOGY Seven different MALDI-TOF sample preparations were assessed for signal reproducibility (coefficient of variation) and sensitivity (method detection limit) using a cost-effective internal standard (angiotensin I). The best preparation was then assessed for its quantitative performance using three different MC congeners ([Dha⁷] MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR). RESULTS The sensitivity of six of the preparations was acceptable, as was the reproducibility for two thin-layer preparations performed on a polished steel target. Both thin-layer preparations could be used with a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer that automatically acquires data, and one could be used in an automated sample preparation work-flow. Further investigation using the thin-layer spot preparation demonstrated that linear quantification of three different MC congeners was possible. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that with different sample preparation methods and modern instrumentation, large numbers of samples can be analysed rapidly for MCs at low cost.
Improving land‐surface model hydrology: Is an explicit aquifer model better than a deeper soil profile?

We use Monte Carlo analysis to show that explicit representation of an aquifer within a land‐surface model (LSM) decreases the dependence of model performance on accurate selection of subsurface hydrologic parameters. Within the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Land Model (CLM) we evaluate three parameterizations of vertical water flow: (1) a shallow soil profile that is characteristic of standard LSMs; (2) an extended soil profile that allows for greater variation in terrestrial water storage; and (3) a lumped, unconfined aquifer model coupled to the shallow soil profile. North American Land Data Assimilation System meteorological forcing data (1997–2005) drive the models as a single column representing Illinois, USA. The three versions of CLM are each run 22,500 times using a random sample of the parameter space for soil texture and key hydrologic parameters. Other parameters remain constant. Observation‐based monthly changes in state‐averaged terrestrial water storage (dTWS) are used to evaluate the model simulations. After single‐criteria parameter exploration, the schemes are equivalently adept at simulating dTWS. However, explicit representation of groundwater considerably decreases the sensitivity of modeled dTWS to errant parameter choices. We show that approximate knowledge of parameter values is not sufficient to guarantee realistic model performance: because interaction among parameters is significant, they must be prescribed as a congruent set.
Convergent Combinations of Reinforcement Learning with Linear Function Approximation

Convergence for iterative reinforcement learning algorithms like TD(0) depends on the sampling strategy for the transitions. However, in practical applications it is convenient to take transition data from arbitrary sources without losing convergence. In this paper we investigate the problem of repeated synchronous updates based on a fixed set of transitions. Our main theorem yields sufficient conditions of convergence for combinations of reinforcement learning algorithms and linear function approximation. This allows to analyse if a certain reinforcement learning algorithm and a certain function approximator are compatible. For the combination of the residual gradient algorithm with grid-based linear' interpolation we show that there exists a universal constant learning rate such that the iteration converges independently of the concrete transition data.
Changes in molecular forms of rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.

Changes in molecular forms of hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GST) during rat chemical hepatocarcinogenesis were investigated. GST activities toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene increased with the increased area of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive foci and hyperplastic nodules induced by diethylnitrosamine followed by 2-acetylaminofluorene plus hepatectomy. Among GSTs with high activities toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, which were separated by carboxymethyl Sephadex column chromatography, the activity of GST-A ( YbYb ) markedly increased with increased activity towards 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene in livers bearing foci and nodules and in isolated nodules and hepatomas, while activities of GST-C ( YbYb ') and -D (Yb'Yb') changed little. It was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis that Yb as well as Ya , a subunit of ligandin ( YaYa ) and GST-B ( YaYc ), increased in livers bearing foci and nodules, while Yc as well as Yb' changed little. A new placental GST form (GST-P), which has a subunit molecular weight of 21,500 or 26,000, according to the marker proteins used, and neutral pls of 6.8 and 6.3, is immunologically different from any form of basic GSTs and is very low in normal liver; also, it was markedly induced in livers bearing foci and nodules and in well-differentiated hepatomas but not by short-term administration of drugs such as 2-acetylaminofluorene, in contrast to GST-A and ligandin. These results indicate that GST-A and more especially GST-P could be new preneoplastic marker enzymes for chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.
Maternal High Fat Diet Alters Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Catalytic Activity in Adult Male Rat Offspring

A maternal high-fat (HF) diet during pregnancy can lead to metabolic compromise, such as insulin resistance in adult offspring. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is one mechanism contributing to metabolic impairments in insulin resistant states. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether mitochondrial dysfunction is evident in metabolically compromised offspring born to HF-fed dams. Sprague-Dawley dams were randomly assigned to receive a purified control diet (CD; 10% kcal from fat) or a high fat diet (HFD; 45% kcal from fat) for 10 days prior to mating, throughout pregnancy and during lactation. From weaning, all male offspring received a standard chow diet and soleus muscle was collected at day 150. Expression of the mitochondrial transcription factors nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) were downregulated in HF offspring. Furthermore, genes encoding the mitochondrial electron transport system (ETS) respiratory complex subunits were suppressed in HF offspring. Moreover, protein expression of the complex I subunit, NDUFB8, was downregulated in HF offspring (36%), which was paralleled by decreased maximal catalytic linked activity of complex I and III (40%). Together, these results indicate that exposure to a maternal HF diet during development may elicit lifelong mitochondrial alterations in offspring skeletal muscle.
Multi-ethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3–95-yr age range: the global lung function 2012 equations

The aim of the Task Force was to derive continuous prediction equations and their lower limits of normal for spirometric indices, which are applicable globally. Over 160,000 data points from 72 centres in 33 countries were shared with the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Function Initiative. Eliminating data that could not be used (mostly missing ethnic group, some outliers) left 97,759 records of healthy nonsmokers (55.3% females) aged 2.5–95 yrs. Lung function data were collated and prediction equations derived using the LMS method, which allows simultaneous modelling of the mean (mu), the coefficient of variation (sigma) and skewness (lambda) of a distribution family. After discarding 23,572 records, mostly because they could not be combined with other ethnic or geographic groups, reference equations were derived for healthy individuals aged 3–95 yrs for Caucasians (n=57,395), African–Americans (n=3,545), and North (n=4,992) and South East Asians (n=8,255). Forced expiratory value in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) between ethnic groups differed proportionally from that in Caucasians, such that FEV1/FVC remained virtually independent of ethnic group. For individuals not represented by these four groups, or of mixed ethnic origins, a composite equation taken as the average of the above equations is provided to facilitate interpretation until a more appropriate solution is developed. Spirometric prediction equations for the 3–95-age range are now available that include appropriate age-dependent lower limits of normal. They can be applied globally to different ethnic groups. Additional data from the Indian subcontinent and Arabic, Polynesian and Latin American countries, as well as Africa will further improve these equations in the future.
Measles seroprevalence, outbreaks, and vaccine coverage in Rwanda

Abstract Background: Measles outbreaks are reported after insufficient vaccine coverage, especially in countries recovering from natural disaster or conflict. We compared seroprevalence to measles in blood donors in Rwanda and Sweden and explored distribution of active cases of measles and vaccine coverage in Rwanda. Methods: 516 Rwandan and 215 Swedish blood donors were assayed for measles-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on vaccine coverage and acute cases in Rwanda from 1980 to 2014 were collected, and IgM on serum samples and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on nasopharyngeal (NPH) swabs from suspected measles cases during 2010–2011 were analysed. Results: The seroprevalence of measles IgG was significantly higher in Swedish blood donors (92.6%; 95% CI: 89.1–96.1%) compared to Rwandan subjects (71.5%; 95% CI: 67.6–75.4%) and more pronounced <35 years of age. The OD values were significantly lower in the Rwandan blood donors as compared to Swedish subjects (p < 0.00001). However, effective measles vaccine coverage was concomitant with decrease in measles cases in Rwanda, with the exception of an outbreak in 1995 following the 1994 genocide. 76/544 serum samples were IgM positive and 21/31 NPH swabs were PCR positive for measles, determined by sequencing to be of genotype B3. Conclusions: Measles seroprevalence was lower in Rwandan blood donors compared to Swedish subjects. Despite this, the number of reported measles cases in Rwanda rapidly decreased during the study period, concomitant with increased vaccine coverage. Taken together, the circulation of measles was limited in Rwanda and vaccine coverage was favourable, but seroprevalence and IgG levels were low especially in younger age groups.
The power consumption of Bluetooth scatternets

Low power has become a primary concern in the field of ad‐hoc and personal area networks. As manufacturers start endowing their designs with scatternet support, Bluetooth is emerging as a key enabling technology. Although this is driving research on Bluetooth power optimization, most proposals are based on over‐simplified, fully theoretical, or old and inadequate power models. We present a real‐world power model of a Bluetooth device supporting scatternets and sniff‐mode, and validate it experimentally on a real implementation. Whilst guaranteeing a low computational complexity, the model achieves a 4% RMS error and can be a precious aid in the design and implementation of power‐critical Bluetooth applications.
An evaluation of models for predicting opponent positions in first-person shooter video games

A well-known Artificial Intelligence (AI) problem in video games is designing AI-controlled humanoid characters. It is desirable for these characters to appear both skillful and believably human-like. Many games address the former objective by providing their agents with unfair advantages. Although challenging, these agents are frustrating to humans who perceive the AI to be cheating. In this paper we evaluate hidden semi-Markov models and particle filters as a means for predicting opponent positions. Our results show that these models can perform with similar or better accuracy than the average human expert in the game Counter-Strike: Source. Furthermore, the mistakes these models make are more human-like than perfect predictions.
Reconstruction of hepatic venous tributary in right liver living donor liver transplantation: The importance of the inferior right hepatic vein

Special care must be taken in hepatic vein reconstruction to avoid outflow block in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with a right liver graft. We have used cryopreserved homologous veins to reconstruct the right hepatic vein (RHV), middle hepatic vein (MHV), MHV tributaries (V5 and V8), and inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV). The reconstruction of V5, V8, and IRHV was based on the estimated congestive volume, calculated by the computed tomography volumetry, to secure the functional graft volume of 40% of the recipient standard liver volume. Among 262 right liver LDLT recipients, the number of reconstructed RHVs, MHVs, V5s, V8s, and IRHVs was 262, 48, 110, 111, and 147, respectively, and the overall patency was 95%, 100%, 36%, 58%, and 86%, respectively. Although the patency of the RHVs and MHVs was satisfactory, that of the V5s, V8s, and IRHVs was suboptimal. Patency of the IRHVs (86%, 126/147) was significantly better than that of both V5s (36%, 40/110) and V8s (58%, 64/111; P < 0.001). In addition, the estimated volume drained by IRHVs was significantly greater than that of V5s and V8s (IRHV, 176 ± 92 mL; V5, 105 ± 49 mL; V8, 127 ± 60 mL; P < 0.001). The patency of IRHV was significantly improved by applying the double inferior vena cava method (93%, 94/101) when compared to the direct anastomosis to vena cava (68%, 25/37; P < 0.001). The IRHV functioned as a main drainage route in cases of an obstructed RHV. In conclusion, reconstruction of the IRHV is recommended, not only to improve the functional reserve of the graft, but also to secure multiple drainage routes of the graft.