Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simple analytic formulas for PID tuning

This paper proposes simple analytic formulas for proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller tuning for typical process models. The formulas are obtained in a similar way to the simple internal model control (SIMC) tuning rules, while the leading analysis is more delicate. Compared to SIMC counterparts, the new tuning formulas lead to better load disturbance rejection while giving similar setpoint response and peak sensitivity.
National Institute of Mental Health Multisite Eban HIV/STD Prevention Intervention for African American HIV Serodiscordant Couples: a cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has disproportionately affected African Americans. Couple-level interventions may be a promising intervention strategy. METHODS To determine if a behavioral intervention can reduce HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk behaviors among African American HIV serodiscordant couples, a cluster randomized controlled trial (Eban) was conducted in Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; with African American HIV serodiscordant heterosexual couples who were eligible if both partners were at least 18 years old and reported unprotected intercourse in the previous 90 days and awareness of each other's serostatus. One thousand seventy participants were enrolled (mean age, 43 years; 40% of male participants were HIV positive). Couples were randomized to 1 of 2 interventions: couple-focused Eban HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention or attention-matched individual-focused health promotion comparison. The primary outcomes were the proportion of condom-protected intercourse acts and cumulative incidence of STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomonas). Data were collected preintervention and postintervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS Data were analyzed for 535 randomized couples: 260 in the intervention group and 275 in the comparison group; 81.9% were retained at the 12-month follow-up. Generalized estimating equation analyses revealed that the proportion of condom-protected intercourse acts was larger among couples in the intervention group (0.77) than in the comparison group (0.47; risk ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.41; P = .006) when adjusted for the baseline criterion measure. The adjusted percentage of couples using condoms consistently was higher in the intervention group (63%) than in the comparison group (48%; risk ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.70; P < .001). The adjusted mean number of (log)unprotected intercourse acts was lower in the intervention group than in the comparison group (mean difference, -1.52; 95% CI, -2.07 to -0.98; P < .001). The cumulative STD incidence over the 12-month follow-up did not differ between couples in the intervention and comparison groups. The overall HIV seroconversion at the 12-month follow-up was 5 (2 in the intervention group, 3 in the comparison group) of 535 individuals, which translates to 935 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled intervention trial to report significant reductions in HIV/STD risk behaviors among African American HIV serodiscordant couples. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00644163.
The postnatal development of behavioral states in the rat.

The ontogeny of behavioral state cycles in white rats has been studied from their 2nd to their 30th day of life. A scale of 5 behavioral states, based on operationally defined categories was employed: state 1: quiet sleep; state 2: active sleep; state 3: quiet wakefulness; state 4: active wakefulness and state 5: locomotion. The percentage of time which young rats spend awake is 2% on the 2nd day, increases then and remains at about 40–60% after the 11th day. Until the 10th day the total sleep time is equally distributed between active sleep and quiet sleep state. After that day a decrement in the relative amount of active sleep occurs. The mean duration of single epochs spent in state 1 increases from less than 1 min on the first days to 6–8 min at about the 25th day. State 2 and state 4 epochs increase only slightly whereas state 3 and state 5 epochs do not show a particular trend.
The DNA minor groove-alkylating cyclopropylpyrroloindole drugs adozelesin and bizelesin induce different DNA damage response pathways in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells.

As members of the cyclopropylpyrroloindole family, adozelesin and bizelesin cause genomic DNA lesions by alkylating DNA. Adozelesin induces single-strand DNA lesions, whereas bizelesin induces both single-strand lesions and double-strand DNA cross-links. At equivalent cytotoxic concentrations, these agents caused different biological responses. Low adozelesin concentrations (e.g., 0.5 nM) induced a transient S-phase block and cell cycle arrest in G(2)-M, as well as increased induction of p53 and p21, whereas a high drug concentration (e.g., 2.5 nM) caused apoptosis but no p21 induction. In contrast, both low and high bizelesin concentrations enhanced p53 and p21 induction and triggered G(2)-M cell cycle arrest and eventual senescence without significant apoptotic cell death. However, in cells lacking p21, bizelesin, as well as adozelesin, triggered apoptosis, indicating that p21 was crucial to sustained bizelesin-induced G(2)-M arrest. Thus, despite similar abilities to alkylate DNA, the chemotherapeutic agents adozelesin and bizelesin caused a decrease in HCT116 tumor cell proliferation by different pathways (i.e., adozelesin induced apoptosis, and bizelesin induced senescence).
Neurophysiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing sessions: preliminary evidence for traumatic memories integration

We have investigated the potential role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in enhancing the integration of traumatic memories by measuring EEG coherence, power spectra and autonomic variables before (pre‐EMDR) and after (post‐EMDR) EMDR sessions during the recall of patient's traumatic memory. Thirteen EMDR sessions of six patients with post‐traumatic stress disorder were recorded. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography (sLORETA) software. Power spectra, EEG coherence and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between pre‐ and post‐EMDR sessions. After EMDR, we observed a significant increase of alpha power in the left inferior temporal gyrus (T = 3·879; P = 0·041) and an increased EEG coherence in beta band between C3 and T5 electrodes (T = 6·358; P<0·001). Furthermore, a significant increase of HRV in the post‐EMDR sessions was also observed (pre‐EMDR: 6·38 ± 6·83; post‐EMDR: 2·46 ± 2·95; U‐Test= 45, P = 0·043). Finally, the values of lagged coherence were negatively associated with subjective units of disturbance (r(24) = −0·44, P<0·05) and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (r(24)=0·40, P<0·05). Our results suggest that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms [Correction made here after initial publication].
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of pSK41: Evolution of Staphylococcal Conjugative Multiresistance Plasmids

ABSTRACT The 46.4-kb nucleotide sequence of pSK41, a prototypical multiresistance plasmid from Staphylococcus aureus, has been determined, representing the first completely sequenced conjugative plasmid from a gram-positive organism. Analysis of the sequence has enabled the identification of the probable replication, maintenance, and transfer functions of the plasmid and has provided insights into the evolution of a clinically significant group of plasmids. The basis of deletions commonly associated with pSK41 family plasmids has been investigated, as has the observed insertion site specificity of Tn552-like β-lactamase transposons within them. Several of the resistance determinants carried by pSK41-like plasmids were found to be located on up to four smaller cointegrated plasmids. pSK41 and related plasmids appear to represent a consolidation of antimicrobial resistance functions, collected by a preexisting conjugative plasmid via transposon insertion and IS257-mediated cointegrative capture of other plasmids.
The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel (Gelclair) on oral microbial colonization and pain control compared with other rinsing solutions in patients with oral mucositis after allogeneic stem cells transplantation

Summary Background Gelclair is an oral lubricating gel used in the management of oral mucositis (OM). We evaluated its efficacy, tolerance and impact on oral cavity microbial colonization in patients with OM after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Material/Method Gelclair was administered in a group of 22 patients with active OM. A control group of 15 patients used other rinsing solutions (chlorhexidine, benzydamine, salvia). Tests with oral cavity swabs for microbiology analysis were performed once a week. Results The characteristics of OM in both groups were comparable, and rinsing solutions had satisfactory tolerability. There was no difference in the median improvement of oral intake and OM-related pain relief, which was assessed mostly as “slight effect”. In the Gelclair group, the effect duration was longer (median 3 [0–5] vs. 1 [0–3] hours, p=0.001). There was significant increase of Enterococcus faecalis and Candida sp. colonization of the oral cavity over the course of the hospitalization and significantly reduced incidence of such colonization in patients with OM in the Gelclair group: 1/22 (5%) vs. 6/15 (40%), p=0.01. In vitro tests showed inhibited growth of Enterococcus faecalis and Candida sp. colonies within the area of the Gelclair application. Conclusions Gelclair may be individually helpful in the management of OM and pain in patients after allogeneic stem cells transplantation. Its use did not lead to worsened oral bacterial and yeast colonization and probably even helped to protect mucosa from Enterococcus and Candida sp. Further studies based on larger cohorts are needed.
Analogical Reasoning and Conceptual Change: A Case Study of Johannes Kepler

The work of Johannes Kepler offers clear examples of conceptual change. In this article, using Kepler's work as a case study, we argue that analogical reasoning facilitates change of knowledge in four ways: (a) highlighting, (b) projection, (c) rerepresentation, and (d) restructuring. We present these four mechanisms within the context of structure-mapping theory and its computational implementation, the structure-mapping engine. We exemplify these mechanisms using the extended analogies Kepler used in developing a causal theory of planetary motion.
Maternal risk indicators for childhood caries in an inner city population.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated whether characteristics of mothers, such as high mutans streptococci (MS) level, caries experience, reported sugar consumption and demographic variables, could be important risk indicators of caries for their children. METHODS Mothers selected on the basis of the caries status of their 3-5-year-old-children were tested for MS, caries, reported sugar consumption and demographic variables. RESULTS We found strong associations between children's caries and their mothers' MS levels (high/low adj. OR = 11.3), maternal active caries (yes/no adj. OR = 4.0) and maternal sugar consumption (high/low adj. OR = 4.2). In this small study, mothers' demographic variables were not associated with the status of caries in their children. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that maternal high MS levels, maternal active decay and maternal sugar consumption are strong risk indicators for children's caries. Although further study is needed, these three maternal risk indicators, taken together, may prove useful in predicting children's caries risk.
Anti-HMGCR Autoantibodies in European Patients With Autoimmune Necrotizing Myopathies

AbstractNecrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is a group of acquired myopathies characterized by prominent myofiber necrosis with little or no muscle inflammation. Recently, researchers identified autoantibodies (aAb) against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in patients with NAM, especially in statin-exposed patients. Here we report what is to our knowledge the first European cohort of patients with NAM.The serum of 206 patients with suspicion of NAM was tested for detection of anti-HMGCR aAb using an addressable laser bead immunoassay. Forty-five patients were found to be anti-HMGCR positive. Their mean age was 48.9 ± 21.9 years and the group was predominantly female (73.3%). Statin exposure was recorded in 44.4% of patients. Almost all patients had a muscular deficit (97.7%), frequently severe (Medical Research Council [MRC] 5 ⩽3 in 75.5%). Subacute onset (<6 mo) was noted for most of them (64.4%). Nevertheless, 3 patients (6.6%) had a slowly progressive course over more than 10 years. Except for weight loss (20%), no extramuscular sign was observed. The mean CK level was high (6941 ± 8802 IU/L) and correlated with muscle strength evaluated by manual muscle testing (r = −0.37, p = 0.03). Similarly, anti-HMGCR aAb titers were correlated with muscular strength (r = −0.31; p = 0.03) and CK level (r = 0.45; p = 0.01). Mean duration of treatment was 34.1 ± 40.8 months, and by the end of the study no patient had been able to stop treatment.This study confirms the observation and description of anti-HMGCR aAb associated with NAM. The majority of patients were statin naive and needed prolonged treatments. Some patients had a dystrophic-like presentation. Anti-HMGR aAb titers correlated with CK levels and muscle strength, suggesting their pathogenic role.
Specification, composition, and placement of network services with flexible structures

Network function virtualization and software‐defined networking allow services consisting of virtual network functions to be designed and implemented with great flexibility by facilitating automatic deployments, migrations, and reconfigurations for services and their components. For extended flexibility, we go beyond seeing services as a fixed chain of functions. We define the service structure in a flexible way that enables changing the order of functions in case the functionality of the service is not influenced by this and propose a YANG data model for expressing this flexibility. Flexible structures allow the network orchestration system to choose the optimal composition of service components that, for example, gives the best results for placement of services in the network. When number of flexible services and number of components in each service increase, combinatorial explosion limits the practical use of this flexibility. In this paper, we describe a selection heuristic that gives a Pareto set of the possible compositions of a service as well as possible combinations of different services, with respect to different optimization objectives. Moreover, we present a heuristic algorithm for placement of a combination of services, which aims at placing service components along shortest paths that have enough capacity for accommodating the services. By applying these solutions, we show that allowing flexibility in the service structure is feasible.
Expression of human telomerase catalytic protein in gallbladder carcinogenesis

Background: Telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) gene re-expression is a rate limiting step for the activity of telomerase, a key enzyme implicated in cellular immortalisation and transformation. Aims: To determine the potential role of hTERT protein in gallbladder carcinogenesis. Material/Methods: hTERT protein was analysed by means of immunohistochemistry in 89 gallbladder tissue samples: 16 normal epithelia, 14 reactive hyperplasias, 15 low grade dysplasias, 16 high grade dysplasias, and 28 adenocarcinomas. At least 200 nuclei were assessed for each slide and the mean number of positive signals for each nucleus was expressed as the hTERT index. Results: The mean hTERT index increased progressively with the degree of gallbladder epithelial abnormalities: from 0.03 in normal epithelia, 0.04 in hyperplastic epithelia, 0.25 in low grade dysplasia, 0.82 in high grade dysplasia, to 0.93 in adenocarcinoma. Statistical analysis revealed that three different groups of gallbladder epithelial changes can be distinguished according to the number of hTERT signals for each nucleus: (1) normal and regenerative gallbladder epithelium, (2) low grade dysplasia, and (3) high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The occasional presence of hTERT protein in normal and regenerative gallbladder mucosa reflects their regenerative capacity. Nevertheless, significantly higher hTERT indices in low and high grade dysplastic epithelia and in gallbladder adenocarcinomas are probably a consequence of hTERT re-expression—an early event in the multistep process of gallbladder carcinogenesis.
Mortality of Department of Veterans Affairs Patients Admitted to Private Sector Hospitals for 5 Common Medical Conditions

Whether prior use of Veterans Affairs services is a marker for increased mortality was evaluated by using Medicare data for men aged 67 years and older admitted for acute myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, or stroke during 1996 to 2002. Patients using Veterans Affairs services during the 2 years preceding hospital admission were identified using Veterans Affairs encounter data, and 30-day mortality was compared in patients who did and did not use Veterans Affairs services, adjusting for patient risk factors. For most Veterans Affairs users, the odds of death were similar or slightly less than the odds of death for nonusers. For acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and stroke, the risk of death was slightly higher for Veterans Affairs users with low income. Results using propensity-matched samples were similar. The use of Veterans Affairs services is not a strong marker of unmeasured severity among patients in private sector hospitals. (Am J Med Qual 2007;22:186-197)
The prolate spheroidal phenomena and bispectrality

Landau, Pollak, Slepian, and Tracy, Widom discovered that certain integral operators with so called Bessel and Airy kernels possess commuting differential operators and found important applications of this phenomena in time-band limiting and random matrix theory. In this paper we announce that very large classes of integral operators derived from bispectral algebras of rank 1 and 2 (parametrized by lagrangian grassmannians of infinitely large size) have this property. The above examples come from special points in these grassmannians.
Induction of cystic oviducts and protection against early challenge with infectious bronchitis virus serotype D388 (genotype QX) by maternally derived antibodies and by early vaccination

Since the end of 2003, strains of the D388 serotype (QX genotype) of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) have caused considerable damage to the Dutch poultry industry. In order to better understand the pathogenesis of infection caused by this infectious bronchitis variant and to be able to support the poultry industry with substantiated advice to prevent or decrease the damage caused by the D388 strain, several vaccination and challenge experiments were performed in young specific pathogen free layers, young layers with maternally derived antibodies against the D388 strain and young commercial broiler breeders. The experiments confirmed the field observations that the D388 strain of the QX genotype is a very pathogenic strain that is able to cause cystic oviducts in a high percentage of birds, mortality due to nephritis and respiratory distress with complete tracheal ciliostasis and airsacculitis. Vaccination programmes using different combinations of heterologous live vaccines at day 0 or at days 0 and 14 induced a reasonable to high level of protection in the trachea, kidney, oviduct and air sacs against challenge with the D388 strain at 28 days of age. However, for very early protection, maternally-derived D388-neutralizing antibodies were shown to be very important. Titres of 9 to 10 log2 maternally-derived D388 virus-neutralizing antibodies, which provided partial protection against tracheal damage and a high protection against replication of D388 in the kidney after challenge at 6 or 10 days of age, could be achieved using a broad heterologous live priming and subsequent boosting using inactivated IBV vaccines containing two or three heterologous IBV antigens.
Analysis of gene‐smoking interaction in lung cancer

The Louisiana Lung Cancer Dataset, consisting of 337 extended pedigrees, is analyzed to determine whether a major Mendelian gene interacts with cumulative tobacco smoking (pack‐years). The proportional hazards model is utilized, as it is a natural framework for estimating relative risks while adjusting for variability in age of disease onset. Segregation analyses show evidence that a Mendelian gene is segregating in these families, with the most parsimonious model, including sex, pack‐years, pack‐years squared, and a dominant major gene. The estimated frequency of the high‐risk allele is 2% and carriers are estimated to have relative risk of 17.3 for developing lung cancer, compared to noncarriers. The addition of a gene x pack‐years interaction does not significantly improve the fit of the model, indicating that on a multiplicative scale, these two factors independently influence lung cancer risk. Smoking history is missing for 23% of the study subjects and degree of “missingness” depends on disease status, age, and birth‐year. To account for the nonrandomness of the missing data, a Markov chain Monte Carlo method for covariate imputation is proposed and implemented. Results from this analysis also support a nonsignificant gene‐smoking interaction and an allele frequency of 2%, but a lower genetic relative risk (9.0) competed to the “complete case” analysis. Genet. Epidemiol. 14:199–214,1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.