Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining Functional and Structural Tests Improves the Diagnostic Accuracy of Relevance Vector Machine Classifiers

PurposeTo investigate whether combining optic disc topography and short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) data improves the diagnostic accuracy of relevance vector machine (RVM) classifiers for detecting glaucomatous eyes compared with using each test alone. MethodsOne eye of 144 glaucoma patients and 68 healthy controls from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study were included. RVM were trained and tested with cross-validation on optimized (backward elimination) SWAP features (thresholds plus age; pattern deviation; and total deviation) and on Heidelberg retina tomograph II (HRT) optic disc topography features, independently and in combination. RVM performance was also compared with 2 HRT linear discriminant functions and to SWAP mean deviation and pattern standard deviation. Classifier performance was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) generated for each feature set and by the sensitivities at set specificities of 75%, 90%, and 96%. ResultsRVM trained on combined HRT and SWAP thresholds plus age had significantly higher AUROC (0.93) than RVM trained on HRT (0.88) and SWAP (0.76) alone. AUROCs for the SWAP global indices (mean deviation: 0.68; pattern standard deviation: 0.72) offered no advantage over SWAP thresholds plus age, whereas the linear discriminant functions AUROCs were significantly lower than RVM trained on the combined SWAP and HRT feature set and on HRT alone feature set. ConclusionsTraining RVM on combined optimized HRT and SWAP data improved diagnostic accuracy compared with training on SWAP and HRT parameters alone. Future research may identify other combinations of tests and classifiers that can also improve diagnostic accuracy.
National surveillance data on the epidemiology of cholera in Togo.

BACKGROUND Togo is a cholera-endemic country bordered by other countries where this disease is endemic. We describe the epidemiology of cholera in Togo, using national surveillance data. METHODS We reviewed national surveillance data housed in the National Ministry of Health. Districts submitted reports of summary weekly case counts and deaths at the national level. Data were available at the district level during 2008-2010 and at the national level from 1996 onward. Microbiological confirmation usually was not performed, and case identification was based on clinical suspicion. RESULTS From 1996 through 2010, Togo had 12 676 reported cholera cases and 554 deaths. Annual national cholera incidence varied from 0.9 to 66 cases per 100 000 population, with little variation except for 2 large epidemics during 1998 and 2001. The case-fatality ratio declined from 12%-17% during 1996-1997 to <1% during 2008-2010. During 2008-2010, 85% of 26 district-level outbreaks occurred in the capital Lomé or the coastal Maritime Region. The average outbreak duration was 6 weeks, and only 2 lasted >15 weeks. DISCUSSION While cholera control remains elusive in Togo, reductions in case-fatality ratios have occurred, possibly due to improvements in case management. The short duration of outbreaks may preclude reactive vaccination; however, the restricted geographic location may make preventive immunization attractive.
Simple analog beamforming method for short range MIMO transmission

In the short range MIMO transmission, an optimal element spacing, which maximizes the channel capacity, exists, when the transmit distance between the transmitter and receiver is given. We focus on that the weight by a zero forcing (ZF) at the optimal element spacing can be realized by using 90-degree phase shifters and dividers because the matrix of weight by the ZF at the optimal element spacing can be expressed as the unitary matrix. In this paper, we propose the simple decoding method for short range MIMO transmission by using analog devices. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed method is effective by the evaluation via Bit Error Rate.
Codifiability, relationship-specific IT investment, and optimal contracting

The last few years have seen on one hand an explosion in the number of e-marketplaces, including a variety of electronic exchanges in the B2B arena, and on the other hand the closing of or near collapse of several prominent exchanges (e.g., Chemdex/Ventro). The question addressed in this paper is what are the underlying factors that affect which transactions are likely to be supportable by e-exchanges. In particular, we identify and study three factors: supplier management; idiosyncratic investments in information systems; and codifiability (i.e., digitalizability) of product and order-fulfillment specifications underlying transactions. We show that transaction codifiability plays a fundamental role in influencing the nature of sustainable contracting and IT investments in e-markets. In addition, the framework we developed integrates several perspectives, often in tension, concerning the nature of forward and options contracts as mutually supporting elements of an optimal portfolio of long-term sourcing in B2B markets with less than perfect codifiability.
Signal Processing in Massive MIMO With IQ Imbalances and Low-Resolution ADCs

This paper proposes a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) with low-precision in-phase quadrature-phase (IQ) (de-)modulators and low-resolution analog-to-digital convertors, and develops uplink baseband algorithms for the proposed MIMO system. The IQ imbalance parameters are recovered by a two-stage method. At the first stage, the base station (BS) antennas acquire phase-shifted versions of their imbalance parameters after receiving some predefined training sequence emitted by a specific transceiver that is near to the BS and shares flat-fading channels between itself and the BS. At the second stage, the phase shifts from the first stage are estimated by the specific transceiver through receiving a common sequence transmitted by the BS antennas alternatively. In order to jointly handle the IQ imbalance and nonlinear quantization loss, the IQ-imbalanced multiuser (MU)-MIMO with single-antenna users is first converted into an IQ-balanced MU-MIMO with dual-antenna users. Then, two kinds of channel estimator and multiuser detectors are constructed for the equivalent IQ-balanced system based on the spectral projected gradient method and vectorized message passing de-quantization algorithm. Our numerical results validate the effectiveness of the above baseband algorithms, and show that the proposed massive MIMO is more energy-efficient than the conventional one when the channel coherence time is long enough.
Decreased muscle strength in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis in relation to nutritional status, alcohol abstinence, liver function, and neuropathy

To study motor function quantitatively in alcoholic liver cirrhosis muscle strength, liver function, peripheral nerve function, and nutrition were assessed in 24 patients. Isokinetic strength of flexion and extension at elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle and of shoulder abduction and adduction was evaluated and compared with findings in 24 matched healthy subjects. Degree of liver disease was assessed with the Child‐Pugh score and the galactose elimination capacity (GEC). Nutritional status was evaluated with an estimation of lean body mass (LBM) from 24‐hour urinary creatinine excretions. Peripheral nerve function was evaluated with neurological symptom and disability scores, nerve conduction studies, and quantitative sensory tests summed to obtain a neuropathy rank‐sum score (NRSS) for each patient. Combined muscle strength at hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist were weakened with 34% (P < .005), 35% (P < .001), 35% (P < .01), 34% (P < .01), 29% (P < .01), and 29% (P < .02), respectively. The median Child‐Pugh score was 7 (range, 5‐12), and the median duration of alcohol abstinence was 90 days (range, 5‐960 days). After multiple linear regression analysis including LBM, Child‐Pugh score, GEC, duration of alcohol abstinence, and NRSS, only LBM was correlated to the strength at the knee (r = .79; P < .0001) and at the ankle (r = .63; P < .01). It is concluded that muscle strength is weakened substantially in alcoholic patients with liver cirrhosis and that weakness is related to the severity of malnutrition but not to the severity of liver disease, duration of alcohol abstinence, or neuropathy.
Hindu-Catholic Encounters in Goa: Religion, Colonialism, and Modernity

Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Introduction 1. Vasco Da Gama's Error: Conquest and Plurality 2. Image Wars: Iconoclasm, Idolatry, and Survival 3. Christian Puranas: Hermeneutic, Similarity, and Violence 4. Ganv: Place, Genealogy, and Bodies 5. Demotic Ritual: Religion and Memory 6. Crossroads of Religions: Shrines and Urban Mobility Conclusion. Religion and religions: Syncretism Reconsidered Notes References Index
Intragroup M&A, minority shareholders' protection, and legal origin

This paper analyzes how legal-origin families affect minority shareholders’ returns in intragroup mergers and acquisitions (M&As). I collected data for 1,302 intragroup M&As from 60 countries to determine (1) whether and where expropriation takes place, and (2) if legal origin explains the treatment reserved to minority shareholders by the bidder. I find that intragroup acquisitions are not used to expropriate minority shareholders. This result is common to all of the regions examined, with the only exceptions being Eastern Europe and legal-origin families. To the contrary—intragroup M&As actually create value. However, target shareholders do not benefit from intragroup transactions in the same way. In fact, target shareholders in common law countries earn returns abnormally higher than those realized by target shareholders in civil law countries. Thus, while all legal families seem to provide at least a minimum level of investor protection in case of intragroup M&A, common law gives more power to minority investors when dealing with controlling shareholders. JEL classification code: G34.
Production of Cereal-Based Probiotic Beverages

2 Abstract: In the present study, rice and millet grains were fermented with ABT-2 starter culture (S. thermophilus L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium BB-12) to obtain probiotic beverages, fortified with pumpkin and sesame seed milk in order to combine the high nutritive value of seeds and the health benefits of the probiotic culture. The levels of several factors, i.e. starter culture concentration, rice and millet level and the amount of honey, affecting the fermentation process, were established for completing a controlled fermentation for 16 hours. The viable cell counts reached at the end of fermentation time about 4.3 x 10 cfu/ml. Changes were observed 9 in acidity and counts of probiotic bacteria as a result of fortification with pumpkin and sesame milk at 10%. Sensory properties were also evaluated. Fermentation with ABT-2 starter culture improved the color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability of the beverages. Slight changes in the count of probiotic, pH and acidity during storage of the beverages at 4°C were observed. The shelf-life of the rice and millet fermented beverages was estimated to be 15 days under refrigerated storage.
Fetal Plasma Concentrations after Intraamniotic Sufentanil in Chronically Instrumented Pregnant Sheep

Background Rapid progress is being made in fetal surgery. Because the fetus is capable of pain perception after the 26th week of gestation, adequate postoperative fetal pain management is essential. The preferred approach would provide fetal analgesia without affecting the mother. Intraamniotically administered sufentanil may be an interesting option if it achieves therapeutic plasma concentrations (PCs) in the fetus but not the mother. Methods After approval of the study, 25 or 50 &mgr;g sufentanil was administered intraamniotically in 10 chronically instrumented pregnant ewes. Maternal and fetal vital signs, arterial blood gases, and uterine blood flow were recorded over 120 min. Sufentanil PCs were determined before and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection. Statistical analysis was performed using one- or two-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett or Tukey test, as appropriate (P < 0.05; data presented as median [95% confidence interval]). Results After 25 &mgr;g sufentanil, fetal PC stabilized at 134 ± 89 pg/ml (after 10 min), and maternal PCs stabilized at 44 ± 11 pg/ml (after 15 min). After 50 &mgr;g sufentanil, fetal PCs stabilized at 134 ± 35 pg/ml (after 15 min), and maternal PCs reached 80 ± 25 pg/ml (at 30 min). Injection of 25 &mgr;g sufentanil intraamniotically did not affect maternal or fetal hemodynamics, uterine blood flow, or arterial blood gases. Fetal heart rate increased after administration of 50 &mgr;g sufentanil (maximum change at 10 min: +16 ± 12%). Conclusion The sheep fetus absorbs sufentanil after intraamniotic instillation. Significantly greater PCs were obtained in the fetal lamb as compared with the ewe. This suggests that investigation of intraamniotic opioids for fetal analgesia might be worthwhile.
The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Existential Group Therapy on Increasing Hope and Decreasing Depression in Women-Treated with Haemodialysis

Introduction: Hopefulness is one of the most significant predictors of adaptation in hemodialysis patients, and plays a vital role in the recovery process. In contrast to hopefulness, depression is a frequent psychological reaction of the hemodialysis treatment with many negative consequences. The current research was designed to examine the effect of cognitive-existential treatment on the level of hopefulness and depression in hemodialysis patients. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental research included 22 female patients suffering from chronic kidney failure disease undergoing hemodialysis treatment for at least 3 months. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control conditions. The experimental group received a combination of treatment including some elements of “existentialism” philosophy and a “cognitive” approach designed for the Iranian population. The treatment protocol lasted for 12 sessions of 90 minutes twice per week prior to the entry of the patient to the dialysis session. Miller’s hope scale and BDI-II-21 were employed to collect the data. Statistical analysis was performed on the data using analysis of covariance by SPSS: 16 software. Results: The result of the analysis indicated that there was a significant improvement in hopefulness level and decrease in depression of the patients in the experiment condition (P<0.01). Conclusion: The result of analysis showed that cognitive-existential treatment resulted in the increase of hopefulness and decrease level of depression in the hemodialysis patients suffering from chronic kidney failure.
A Novel Retro-Inverso Peptide Inhibitor Reduces Amyloid Deposition, Oxidation and Inflammation and Stimulates Neurogenesis in the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Previously, we have developed a retro-inverso peptide inhibitor (RI-OR2, rGffvlkGr) that blocks the in vitro formation and toxicity of the Aβ oligomers which are thought to be a cause of neurodegeneration and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. We have now attached a retro-inverted version of the HIV protein transduction domain ‘TAT’ to RI-OR2 to target this new inhibitor (RI-OR2-TAT, Ac-rGffvlkGrrrrqrrkkrGy-NH2) into the brain. Following its peripheral injection, a fluorescein-labelled version of RI-OR2-TAT was found to cross the blood brain barrier and bind to the amyloid plaques and activated microglial cells present in the cerebral cortex of 17-months-old APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice. Daily intraperitoneal injection of RI-OR2-TAT (at 100 nmol/kg) for 21 days into 10-months-old APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice resulted in a 25% reduction (p<0.01) in the cerebral cortex of Aβ oligomer levels, a 32% reduction (p<0.0001) of β-amyloid plaque count, a 44% reduction (p<0.0001) in the numbers of activated microglial cells, and a 25% reduction (p<0.0001) in oxidative damage, while the number of young neurons in the dentate gyrus was increased by 210% (p<0.0001), all compared to control APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice injected with vehicle (saline) alone. Our data suggest that oxidative damage, inflammation, and inhibition of neurogenesis are all a downstream consequence of Aβ aggregation, and identify a novel brain-penetrant retro-inverso peptide inhibitor of Aβ oligomer formation for further testing in humans as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Spaces of privilege

There have been extensive developments in "gay rights" in the past 10 years. This has prompted the contention that some gay white men are increasingly able to access privilege at the expense of continued marginalisation for various gendered, raced and sexual others. Homonormativity describes a process through which gay white male subjects are increasingly understood as normalised and accepted within existing relations of inequalities and that this temporality is accompanied by depoliticisation and tendency towards privatisation and domesticity. I use evidence from 15 in-depth interviews with men drawn from my socio-sexual network in Brighton and Hove, and autoethnographic writings in the form of reflective diary entries and short vignettes to develop a complex and fluid understanding of gay white men’s spatial practices and experiences of privilege.
Impact characteristics in shod and barefoot running

Increased impact characteristics are often cited as a cause of running injuries. One method that has been used to reduce impact characteristics is to increase the thickness of the midsole of running footwear with the intention of attenuating greater shock from the foot-ground collision. A second method that has been suggested is to run barefoot. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact characteristics of running footwear of different midsole thickness to a barefoot condition. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected as participants ran at their preferred running speed and at a fixed speed. Impact characteristics (impact peak, time to impact peak and vertical loading rate) were derived from the vertical ground reaction force component. Ankle and knee joint stiffness during the loading phase of support were derived from the change in moment divided by the change in angle. The impact parameters were statistically analyzed using a two-way, repeated measures ANOVA. There were no significant speed by footwear condition interactions. For impact peak, ankle stiffness and knee stiffness, there was no difference among the shod conditions but there were significant differences between the shod and barefoot conditions. Based on their strike index, participants in this study appeared to alter their footfall pattern from a rearfoot to a midfoot pattern when changing from running shod to barefoot. It may be concluded that the change in the impact characteristics is a result of changing footfall pattern rather than midsole thickness.
JMV5656, A Novel Derivative of TLQP-21, Triggers the Activation of a Calcium-Dependent Potassium Outward Current in Microglial Cells

TLQP-21 (TLQPPASSRRRHFHHALPPAR) is a multifunctional peptide that is involved in the control of physiological functions, including feeding, reproduction, stress responsiveness, and general homeostasis. Despite the huge interest in TLQP-21 biological activity, very little is known about its intracellular mechanisms of action. In microglial cells, TLQP-21 stimulates increases of intracellular Ca2+ that may activate functions, including proliferation, migration, phagocytosis and production of inflammatory molecules. Our aim was to investigate whether JMV5656 (RRRHFHHALPPAR), a novel short analogue of TLQP-21, stimulates intracellular Ca2+ in the N9 microglia cells, and whether this Ca2+ elevation is coupled with the activation Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels. TLQP-21 and JMV5656 induced a sharp, dose-dependent increment in intracellular calcium. In 77% of cells, JMV5656 also caused an increase in the total outward currents, which was blunted by TEA (tetraethyl ammonium chloride), a non-selective blocker of voltage-dependent and Ca2+-activated potassium (K+) channels. Moreover, the effects of ion channel blockers charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin, suggested that multiple calcium-activated K+ channel types drove the outward current stimulated by JMV5656. Additionally, inhibition of JMV5656-stimulated outward currents by NS6180 (4-[[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]-2H-1,4 benzothiazin-3(4H)-one) and TRAM-34 (triarylmethane-34), indicated that KCa3.1 channels are involved in this JMV5656 mechanisms of action. In summary, we demonstrate that, in N9 microglia cells, the interaction of JMV5656 with the TLQP-21 receptors induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+, and, following extracellular Ca2+ entry, the opening of KCa3.1 channels.
LABORATORY COMPARISON OF AEDES AEGYPTI ATTRACTION TO HUMAN ODORS AND TO SYNTHETIC HUMAN ODOR COMPOUNDS AND BLENDS1

ABSTRACT Chemical lures can enhance the ability of traps to collect mosquitoes, selectively target species for capture, and provide a realistic assessment of the species and host-equivalent numbers of mosquitoes present in the local area. One approach to the development of chemical lures is to manufacture blends that comprise odors released in human emanations. These blends need to be safe for use in the environment, desirable from an economic standpoint, and transportable to the field for use in traps. In this report, we compared the attraction of mosquitoes to various chemicals, blends, and odors from humans. Noncompetitive (single-treatment) bioassays established that some blends are equivalent or more attractive to Aedes aegypti than human odors. Competitive bioassays were conducted; these involved simultaneous comparison of 2 treatments: single compounds to binary blends; binary blends to a trinary blend of L-lactic acid, acetone, and dimethyl disulfide; and the trinary blend to human odors from 3 volunteers. The overall trend was that the trinary blend was more attractive than binary blends, and binary blends were more attractive than single compounds. However, human odors were still significantly more attractive than the trinary blend. Therefore, further modifications and refinements to blends will be needed to better compete against human odors.
Auditory Cortical Areas Activated by Slow Frequency-Modulated Sounds in Mice

Species-specific vocalizations in mice have frequency-modulated (FM) components slower than the lower limit of FM direction selectivity in the core region of the mouse auditory cortex. To identify cortical areas selective to slow frequency modulation, we investigated tonal responses in the mouse auditory cortex using transcranial flavoprotein fluorescence imaging. For differentiating responses to frequency modulation from those to stimuli at constant frequencies, we focused on transient fluorescence changes after direction reversal of temporally repeated and superimposed FM sweeps. We found that the ultrasonic field (UF) in the belt cortical region selectively responded to the direction reversal. The dorsoposterior field (DP) also responded weakly to the reversal. Regarding the responses in UF, no apparent tonotopic map was found, and the right UF responses were significantly larger in amplitude than the left UF responses. The half-max latency in responses to FM sweeps was shorter in UF compared with that in the primary auditory cortex (A1) or anterior auditory field (AAF). Tracer injection experiments in the functionally identified UF and DP confirmed that these two areas receive afferent inputs from the dorsal part of the medial geniculate nucleus (MG). Calcium imaging of UF neurons stained with fura-2 were performed using a two-photon microscope, and the presence of UF neurons that were selective to both direction and direction reversal of slow frequency modulation was demonstrated. These results strongly suggest a role for UF, and possibly DP, as cortical areas specialized for processing slow frequency modulation in mice.