Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of the Kurtosis-Adjusted Cumulative Noise Exposure Metric in Evaluating the Hearing Loss Risk for Complex Noise

Objective: To test a kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure (CNE) metric for use in evaluating the risk of hearing loss among workers exposed to industrial noises. Specifically, to evaluate whether the kurtosis-adjusted CNE (1) provides a better association with observed industrial noise-induced hearing loss, and (2) provides a single metric applicable to both complex (non-Gaussian [non-G]) and continuous or steady state (Gaussian [G]) noise exposures for predicting noise-induced hearing loss (dose–response curves). Design: Audiometric and noise exposure data were acquired on a population of screened workers (N = 341) from two steel manufacturing plants located in Zhejiang province and a textile manufacturing plant located in Henan province, China. All the subjects from the two steel manufacturing plants (N = 178) were exposed to complex noise, whereas the subjects from textile manufacturing plant (N = 163) were exposed to a G continuous noise. Each subject was given an otologic examination to determine their pure-tone HTL and had their personal 8-hr equivalent A-weighted noise exposure (LAeq) and full-shift noise kurtosis statistic (which is sensitive to the peaks and temporal characteristics of noise exposures) measured. For each subject, an unadjusted and kurtosis-adjusted CNE index for the years worked was created. Multiple linear regression analysis controlling for age was used to determine the relationship between CNE (unadjusted and kurtosis adjusted) and the mean HTL at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (HTL346) among the complex noise-exposed group. In addition, each subject’s HTLs from 0.5 to 8.0 kHz were age and sex adjusted using Annex A (ISO-1999) to determine whether they had adjusted high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (AHFNIHL), defined as an adjusted HTL shift of 30 dB or greater at 3.0, 4.0, or 6.0 kHz in either ear. Dose–response curves for AHFNIHL were developed separately for workers exposed to G and non-G noise using both unadjusted and adjusted CNE as the exposure matric. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis among complex exposed workers demonstrated that the correlation between HTL3,4,6 and CNE controlling for age was improved when using the kurtosis-adjusted CNE compared with the unadjusted CNE (R2 = 0.386 versus 0.350) and that noise accounted for a greater proportion of hearing loss. In addition, although dose–response curves for AHFNIHL were distinctly different when using unadjusted CNE, they overlapped when using the kurtosis-adjusted CNE. Conclusions: For the same exposure level, the prevalence of NIHL is greater in workers exposed to complex noise environments than in workers exposed to a continuous noise. Kurtosis adjustment of CNE improved the correlation with NIHL and provided a single metric for dose–response effects across different types of noise. The kurtosis-adjusted CNE may be a reasonable candidate for use in NIHL risk assessment across a wide variety of noise environments.
Fast convergence of extended Rademacher Complexity bounds

In this work we propose some new generalization bounds for binary classifiers, based on global Rademacher Complexity (RC), which exhibit fast convergence rates by combining state-of-the-art results by Talagrand on empirical processes and the exploitation of unlabeled patterns. In this framework, we are able to improve both the constants and the convergence rates of existing RC-based bounds. All the proposed bounds are based on empirical quantities, so that they can be easily computed in practice, and are provided both in implicit and explicit forms: the formers are the tightest ones, while the latter ones allow to get more insights about the impact of Talagrand's results and the exploitation of unlabeled patterns in the learning process. Finally, we verify the quality of the bounds, with respect to the theoretical limit, showing the room for further improvements in the common scenario of binary classification.
The emerging use of zebrafish to model metabolic disease

The zebrafish research community is celebrating! The zebrafish genome has recently been sequenced, the Zebrafish Mutation Project (launched by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) has published the results of its first large-scale ethylnitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screen, and a host of new techniques, such as the genome editing technologies TALEN and CRISPR-Cas, are enabling specific mutations to be created in model organisms and investigated in vivo. The zebrafish truly seems to be coming of age. These powerful resources invoke the question of whether zebrafish can be increasingly used to model human disease, particularly common, chronic diseases of metabolism such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. In recent years, there has been considerable success, mainly from genomic approaches, in identifying genetic variants that are associated with these conditions in humans; however, mechanistic insights into the role of implicated disease loci are lacking. In this Review, we highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish to address the organism’s utility as a model system for human metabolic diseases.
The decapping activator HPat a novel factor co-purifying with GW182 from Drosophila cells

miRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in many eukaryotes and thereby affect a wide range of biological processes. GW182 is a key factor in translation repression and mRNA degradation by miRNAs. In this study we investigate the potential interaction of GW182 and translation or mRNA degradation factors in Drosophila S2 cells. We have identified the decapping activator HPat as a novel factor co-purifying with GW182. Furthermore, we show that the C-terminal domain of GW182, important for gene silencing, is sufficient to form a complex with HPat. Our findings implicate an interaction of the miRNA effector component GW182 with the decapping machinery.
Occupational Injuries Prone to Infectious Risks amongst Healthcare Personnel in Kuwait: A Retrospective Study

Objective: The study aimed at determining the prevalence of incident occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) among healthcare personnel (HCP) during 2010 and at evaluating the factors associated with these incidents. Subjects and Methods: An epidemiological, retrospective, record-based study was conducted. All self-reported incidents of occupational exposure to blood and OPIM among HCP from all healthcare settings of the Kuwait Ministry of Health during 2010 were included. Results: The total number of the exposed HCP was 249. The prevalence of incident exposure was 0.7% of the HCP at risk. Their mean age was 32.31 ± 6.98 years. The majority were nurses: 166 (66.7%), followed by doctors: 35 (14.1%), technicians: 26 (10.4%) and housekeeping personnel: 22 (8.8%). Needle stick injury was the most common type of exposure, in 189 (75.9%), followed by sharp-object injury, mucous-membrane exposure and contact with nonintact skin. The majority of needle stick exposures, i.e. 177 (93.7%), were caused by hollow-bore needles. Exposure to blood represented 96.8%, mostly during drawing blood and the insertion or removal of needles from patients [88 (35.4%)] and when performing surgical interventions [56 (22.6%)]. Easily preventable exposures such as injuries related to 2-handed recapping of needles [24 (9.6%)] and garbage collection [21 (8.4%)] were reported. Exposures mainly occurred in the inpatient wards [75 (30.1%)] and operating theaters [56 (22.6%)]. Among the exposed HCP, 130 (52.2%) had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Conclusion: Needle stick injuries are the most common exposure among HCP in Kuwait, and nurses are the most frequently involved HCP category. A good proportion of exposures could be easily prevented. HBV vaccination coverage is incomplete.
Contamination of ready-to-eat raw vegetables with Clostridium difficile in France.

The presence of Clostridium difficile in food like shellfish, vegetables and meat has been reported in several publications during the past few years. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of ready-to-eat raw vegetables contaminated with C. difficile in France. One hundred and four ready-to-eat salads and vegetables were studied. Toxigenic C. difficile strains were isolated in three samples (2.9 %): two ready-to-eat salads (one heart of lettuce and one lamb's lettuce salad) and one portion of pea sprouts. The strains belonged to three different PCR ribotypes: 001, 014/020/077 and 015. The detection thresholds for vegetative cells and spores cells varied between 1 and 3 c.f. u. in 20 g salad and between 6 and 15 c.f. u. in 20 g salad, respectively, for the method employed.
Security Tradeoffs in Cyber Physical Systems: A Case Study Survey on Implantable Medical Devices

The new culture of networked systems that offer everywhere accessible services has given rise to various types of security tradeoffs. In fact, with the evolution of physical systems that keep getting integrated with cyber frameworks, cyber threats have far more critical effects as they get reflected on the physical environment. As a result, the issue of security of cyber physical systems requires a special holistic treatment. In this paper, we study the tradeoff between security, safety, and availability in such systems and demonstrate these concepts on implantable medical devices as a case study. We discuss the challenges and constraints associated with securing such systems and focus on the tradeoff between security measures required for blocking unauthorized access to the device and the safety of the patient in emergency situations where such measures must be dropped to allow access. We analyze the up to date proposed solutions and discuss their strengths and limitations.
Enhancement of Luminescence Intensity in Dy3+ Ions Doped YVO4Nanomaterials by Ba2+ Ion Codoping and YVO4:2Dy/Fe3O4 Nanohybrid forHyperthermia Application

The enhancement of the luminescence intensity of the Dy3+ by Ba2+ ions (at different concentrations) codoping into YVO4:2Dy nanoparticles at different annealing temperature of as-prepared, at 500 and 900°C were studied. The XRD study shows the strains are induced when dopant and codopant are incorporated into host matrix. XRD patterns of nanohybrids show the existence of two phases corresponding to YVO4:2Dy and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. TEM image of YVO4:2Dy nanoparticles were spherical shape whereas for YVO4:2Dy/Fe3O4 nanohybrids, the spherical particles are forming chain like structure due to the PEG molecule which binds both YVO4:2Dy and Fe3O4 during nanohybrids formation. Increase in absorption coefficient and decrease in lattice strain values are the major reasons for the enhancement of emission intensity in photoluminescent (PL). Lifetime studies also shows correlation between the calculated energy transfer and diffusion for indirect excitation which is also studied here. High quantum efficiency up to 45% can be achieved. YVO4:2Dy/Fe3O4 nanohybrids is found to achieve hyperthermia temperature 42°C in short time. This nanohybrids shows luminescence in the region of biological window indicating nanohybrids can be used as bioimaging probe. It also shows high viability up to 94% in HeLa cancer cells.
Performance characteristics of the reduced common mode voltage near state PWM method

The Near State PWM (NSPWM) method, which has low common mode voltage/current is proposed for three-phase voltage source inverter drives. The method is described and its voltage linearity, output current ripple, DC bus current ripple, common mode voltage and output line-to-line pulse patterns are thoroughly studied and compared with classical PWM methods. The theory, simulation, and laboratory experiments illustrate that NSPWM has low common mode voltage, results in less common mode current, has low switching losses comparable to those of DPWM methods, has low current ripple compared to the classical methods, and exhibits no significant overvoltage problems in long cable applications as its pulse pattern involves a sufficient distance between the polarity reversing voltage pulses.
Dendrimers: Novel Carriers For Drug Delivery

Dendrimers are highly branched, organic compounds with well-defined, symmetrical structure. From chemical point of view they are three-dimensional polymers, characterized by a globular shape. At the end of the arms are terminals, functional groups, which can be easily modified in order to change their chemical and physical properties. Dendrimers have nanoscopic particle size range from 1 to 100 nm. They are ideal drug delivery systems due to their feasible topology, functionality and dimensions, their size is very close to various important biological polymers and assemblies such as DNA and proteins. The structure of dendrimer molecules begins with a central atom or group of atoms labeled as the â€œcore. â€ From this central structure, branches of other atoms called â€˜dendrons. â€™ The continuous branching results in layers of branch structure called â€œgenerations. â€ Synthesis of dendrimers done by four methods. these are â€˜Divergentâ€™ Dendrimer Growth , â€˜Convergentâ€™ Dendrimer Growth ,â€˜Double Exponentialâ€™ And â€˜Mixedâ€™ Growth ,â€˜Clickâ€™ Synthesis (Hypercores and branched monomers growth). Mechanisms of Drug Loading onto Dendrimer Carriers by Physical Encapsulation of Drug Molecules and Chemical Conjugation of Drug Molecules. The conjugates show increased solubility, decreased systemic toxicity and selective accumulation in solid tumors. Various applications as Pharmaceutical and Non Pharmaceuticals. Â DendrimersÂ mayÂ haveÂ toxicityÂ mainlyÂ attributedÂ toÂ the interactionÂ ofÂ theÂ cationicÂ dendrimersÂ surfaceÂ withÂ negativeÂ biologicalÂ loadÂ membranes damagingÂ cellularÂ membranesÂ causingÂ hemolyticÂ toxicityÂ andÂ cytotoxicity also limitation that does not apply where the drug is solublised with dendrimer and then released in the gut for absorption. Some Marketed products of dentrimes are available Â Â named as Starburst, Priostar, Stratus CS, Vivagel, Alert ticket, SuperFect, Taxotere.
Opposing Roles for Membrane Bound and Soluble Fas Ligand in Glaucoma-Associated Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Glaucoma, the most frequent optic neuropathy, is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) occurs in all forms of glaucoma and accounts for the loss of vision, however the molecular mechanisms that cause RGC loss remain unclear. The pro-apoptotic molecule, Fas ligand, is a transmembrane protein that can be cleaved from the cell surface by metalloproteinases to release a soluble protein with antagonistic activity. Previous studies documented that constitutive ocular expression of FasL maintained immune privilege and prevented neoangeogenesis. We now show that FasL also plays a major role in retinal neurotoxicity. Importantly, in both TNFα triggered RGC death and a spontaneous model of glaucoma, gene-targeted mice that express only full-length FasL exhibit accelerated RGC death. By contrast, FasL-deficiency, or administration of soluble FasL, protected RGCs from cell death. These data identify membrane-bound FasL as a critical effector molecule and potential therapeutic target in glaucoma.
Optimal power control for underlay cognitive radio systems with arbitrary input distributions

This paper studies optimal power control policies that maximize the achievable rates of underlay cognitive radio systems with arbitrary input distributions under both peak transmit/peak interference power constraints and peak transmit/average interference power constraints for general fading distributions. A low-complexity optimal power control algorithm is proposed. Also, the optimal power control policy in the low-power regime is analyzed. In particular, by considering gamma distributed channel power gains of the interference link between the secondary transmitter and the primary receiver and the transmission link between the secondary transmitter and the secondary receiver, closed-form expressions for the maximum achievable rate attained with the optimal power control strategy in the low-power regime are provided. Through numerical results, the impact of the fading severity of both interference and transmission links and transmit power and interference power constraints on the maximum achievable rate of the cognitive user for different constellations and Gaussian signals are investigated.
Isolation rates of Campylobacter fetus subsp venerealis from bovine preputial samples via passive filtration on nonselective medium versus selective medium, with and without transport medium.

OBJECTIVE To compare the recovery rates of Campylobacter fetus subsp venerealis (Cfv) from preputial scrapings of infected bulls with passive filtration on selective medium versus nonselective medium, with and without transport medium. SAMPLES 217 preputial scrapings from 12 bulls (4 naturally and 8 artificially infected with Cfv). PROCEDURES Preputial scrapings were collected in 2 mL of PBS solution and bacteriologically cultured directly on Skirrow medium or passively filtered through 0.65-μm filters onto blood agar, with or without 24 hour preincubation in modified Weybridge transport enrichment medium (TEM). After 72 hours, plates were examined for Cfv and bacterial and fungal contamination or overgrowth. RESULTS Passive filtration of fresh preputial scrapings onto blood agar yielded significantly higher recovery rates of Cfv (86%) than direct plating on Skirrow medium (32%), whereas recovery from TEM was poor for both media (35% and 40%, respectively). Skirrow cultures without TEM were significantly more likely to have fungal contamination than were cultures performed with any other technique, and fungal contamination was virtually eliminated by passive filtration onto blood agar. Bacterial contamination by Pseudomonas spp was significantly more common with Skirrow medium versus passive filtration on blood agar, regardless of TEM use. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of transport medium and the choice of culture medium had significant effects on Cfv recovery and culture contamination rates from clinical samples. Both factors should be considered when animals are tested for this pathogen.
Inverse Classification for Comparison-based Interpretability in Machine Learning

In the context of post-hoc interpretability, this paper addresses the task of explaining the prediction of a classifier, considering the case where no information is available, neither on the classifier itself, nor on the processed data (neither the training nor the test data). It proposes an instance-based approach whose principle consists in determining the minimal changes needed to alter a prediction: given a data point whose classification must be explained, the proposed method consists in identifying a close neighbour classified differently, where the closeness definition integrates a sparsity constraint. This principle is implemented using observation generation in the Growing Spheres algorithm. Experimental results on two datasets illustrate the relevance of the proposed approach that can be used to gain knowledge about the classifier.
Dronedarone in atrial fibrillation.

To the Editor: We have two questions about the trial (A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel Arm Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Dronedarone 400 mg bid for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Hos pitalization or Death from Any Cause in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter [ATHENA]) (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00174785) reported by Hohnloser et al. (Feb. 12 issue). 1 Dronedarone was designed to reduce the risk of thyroid-related and pulmonary disease associated with amiodarone, and in two previous randomized, controlled trials it was shown to be more effective than placebo in maintaining sinus rhythm and controlling the ventricular rate during recurrences of atrial fibrillation. First, why is the comparison drug in this trial not amiodarone? It would be more useful to see a head-to-head trial comparing the efficacy and safety of these two drugs. Second, why is an antiarrhythmic agent being evaluated as first-line treatment in this patient population when rate control has been shown to be the preferred treatment approach? The conclusions of a systematic review were that “pharma cological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is not superior to rate control and that, particularly in older patients with significant comorbidity, a strategy of rate control is a highly acceptable primary strategy. ”2 Therefore, avoiding the issue of rate control and implying that a rhythm-control strategy should be first-line therapy may not be appropriate.
Sexual dysfunction in patients taking conventional antipsychotic medication

Background Antipsychotic drugs are associated with sexual dysfunction but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Aims To ascertain the frequency of sexual dysfunction in patients taking conventional antipsychotics and to determine the possible underlying mechanisms. Method Sexual dysfunction was assessed in 101 patients receiving conventional antipsychotic medication, 57 normal controls and 55 controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. Results Sexual dysfunction occurred in 45% of patients taking antipsychotic medication, 17% of normal controls and 61% of controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. Sexual dysfunction was associated with autonomic side-effects in normoprolactinaemic males, but the presence of hyperprolactinaemia overrode other causes of sexual dysfunction. For women, hyperprolactinaemia was the main cause of sexual dysfunction. Conclusions Conventional antipsychotic medications cause significant levels of sexual dysfunction. Clinicians should routinely enquire about sexual symptoms prior to the prescription of antipsychotics and on follow-up.
Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Uremia: The Role of Oxidative Stress and the Effects of Dialysis

Immune deficiency is one of the numerous consequences of chronic renal failure. We can hypothesize that an abnormal natural killer (NK) cell response is present in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To characterize the immune defect in ESRD patients, we performed a NK cell subset analysis in 66 patients with ESRD treated by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Compared with healthy blood donors, patients undergoing chronic dialysis showed a profound decrease in NKG2D(+) cells within both CD8(+) T cell (58 vs. 67%, p = 0.03) and NK cell (39 vs. 56%, p = 0.002) populations. We further studied NK cell subsets in 55 hemodialysis patients and 17 patients treated by peritoneal dialysis. As compared to healthy donors, all these patients had significantly decreased NKG2D-positive NK cells. Patients using PMMA membranes (BK-F) or Helixone-FX membranes had a smaller decrease in NKG2D-positive NK cells when compared to patients treated with Nephral membranes. The expression of MICA on the cell surface of monocytes, which is a marker of inflammation induced by cellular stress, was also lower in patients using BK-F membranes. In conclusion, these data suggest that a subpopulation of NK cells is decreased in patients with ESRD. This decrease is associated with high circulating levels of the HLA-related molecule MICA. The dialysis membrane can influence the modulation of both the phenotype of NK cells and MICA overexpression.