Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Cardiac Physiology After Severe Burn Injury

Cardiac stress, mediated by increased catecholamines, is the hallmark of severe burn injury typified by marked tachycardia, increased myocardial oxygen consumption, and increased cardiac output (CO). It remains one of the main determinants of survival in large burns. Currently, it is unknown for how long cardiac stress persists after a severe injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the extent and duration of cardiac stress after a severe burn. To determine persistence of cardiac alteration, the authors determined cardiac parameters of all surviving patients with burns ≥40% TBSA from 1998 to 2008. One hundred ninety-four patients were included in this study. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, CO, stroke volume, cardiac index, and ejection fractions were measured at regular intervals from admission up to 2 years after injury. Rate pressure product was calculated as a correlate of myocardial oxygen consumption. All values were compared with normal nonburned children to validate the findings. Statistical analysis was performed using log transformed analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction and Student's t-test, where applicable. Heart rate, CO, cardiac index, and rate pressure product remained significantly increased in burned children for up to 2 years when compared with normal ranges (P < .05), indicating vastly increased cardiac stress. Ejection fraction was within normal limits for 2 years. Cardiac stress persists for at least 2 years postburn, and the authors suggest that attenuation of these detrimental responses may improve long-term morbidity.
Contribution of the clathrin adaptor AP-1 subunit µ1 to acidic cluster protein sorting

Acidic clusters act as sorting signals for packaging cargo into clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs), and also facilitate down-regulation of MHC-I by HIV-1 Nef. To find acidic cluster sorting machinery, we performed a gene-trap screen and identified the medium subunit (µ1) of the clathrin adaptor AP-1 as a top hit. In µ1 knockout cells, intracellular CCVs still form, but acidic cluster proteins are depleted, although several other CCV components were either unaffected or increased, indicating that cells can compensate for long-term loss of AP-1. In vitro experiments showed that the basic patch on µ1 that interacts with the Nef acidic cluster also contributes to the binding of endogenous acidic cluster proteins. Surprisingly, µ1 mutant proteins lacking the basic patch and/or the tyrosine-based motif binding pocket could rescue the µ1 knockout phenotype completely. In contrast, these mutants failed to rescue Nef-induced down-regulation of MHC class I, suggesting a possible mechanism for attacking the virus while sparing the host cell.
Risk factors and between-hospital variation of caesarean section in Denmark: a cohort study

Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of risk factors on elective and emergency caesarean section (CS) and to estimate the between-hospital variation of risk-adjusted CS proportions. Design Historical registry-based cohort study. Settings and participants The study was based on all singleton deliveries in hospital units in Denmark from January 2009 to December 2012. A total of 226 612 births by 198 590 mothers in 29 maternity units were included. Primary and secondary outcome measures We estimated (1) OR of elective and emergency CS adjusted for several risk factors, for example, body mass index, parity, age and size of maternity unit and (2) risk-adjusted proportions of elective and emergency CS to evaluate between-hospital variation. Results The CS proportion was stable at 20%–21%, but showed wide variation between units, even in adjusted models. Large units performed significantly more elective CSs than smaller units, and the risk of emergency CS was significantly reduced compared with smaller units. Many of the included risk factors were found to influence the risk of CS. The most important risk factors were breech presentation and previous CS. Four units performed more CSs and one unit fewer CSs than expected. Conclusion The main risk factors for elective CS were breech presentation and previous CS; for emergency CS they were breech presentation and cephalopelvic disproportion. The proportions of CS were stable during the study period. We found variation in risk-adjusted CS between hospitals in Denmark. Although exhaustive models were applied, the results indicated the presence of systematic variation between hospital units, which was unexpected in a small, well-regulated country such as Denmark.
Broadband variable gain amplifier with low group delay variation

In this work a baseband variable gain amplifier (VGA) with a maximum differential gain of 18.2 dB and a 3 dB frequency of 45.9 GHz is presented. The proposed design uses inductive shunt peaking to individually tune the frequency responses of the two gain stages, thus enhancing the overall bandwidth with minimal deterioration of gain and group delay flatness. The phase response in different gain states is analyzed, proving that the cascode stage with parallel transistor is well suited to achieve low group delay variation over a wide gain control range. The circuit fabricated in a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology achieves a group delay variation of only ± 2.8 ps over the gain control range of 18 dB and shows a flat gain response. The VGA consumes a DC power of 205 mW and occupies an area of 0.48 mm2.
The Arf-GDP-regulated recruitment of GBF1 to Golgi membranes requires domains HDS1 and HDS2 and a Golgi-localized protein receptor

ABSTRACT We previously proposed a novel mechanism by which the enzyme Golgi-specific Brefeldin A resistance factor 1 (GBF1) is recruited to the membranes of the cis-Golgi, based on in vivo experiments. Here, we extended our in vivo analysis on the production of regulatory Arf-GDP and observed that ArfGAP2 and ArfGAP3 do not play a role in GBF1 recruitment. We confirm that Arf-GDP localization is critical, as a TGN-localized Arf-GDP mutant protein fails to promote GBF1 recruitment. We also reported the establishment of an in vitro GBF1 recruitment assay that supports the regulation of GBF1 recruitment by Arf-GDP. This in vitro assay yielded further evidence for the requirement of a Golgi-localized protein because heat denaturation or protease treatment of Golgi membranes abrogated GBF1 recruitment. Finally, combined in vivo and in vitro measurements indicated that the recruitment to Golgi membranes via a putative receptor requires only the HDS1 and HDS2 domains in the C-terminal half of GBF1. Summary: In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate Arf-GDP regulation of GBF1 recruitment to a heat-labile and protease-sensitive site on Golgi membranes. This recruitment requires the HDS1 and HDS2 domains.
Projections of primary liver cancer to 2030 in 30 countries worldwide

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death. Future predictions can inform health planners and raise awareness of the need for cancer control action. We predicted the future burden of PLC in 30 countries around 2030. Incident cases of PLC (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, C22) were obtained from 30 countries for 1993‐2007. We projected new PLC cases to 2030 using age‐period‐cohort models (NORDPRED software). Age‐standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person‐years were calculated by country and sex. Increases in new cases and rates of PLC are projected in both sexes. The largest increases in rates are, among men, in Norway (2.9% per annum), US whites (2.6%), and Canada (2.4%) and, among women, in the United States (blacks 4.0%), Switzerland (3.4%), and Germany (3.0%). The projected declines are in China, Japan, Singapore, and parts of Europe (e.g., Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia). A 35% increase in the number of new cases annually is expected compared to 2005. This increasing burden reflects both increasing rates (and the underlying prevalence of risk factors) and demographic changes. Japan is the only country with a predicted decline in the net number of cases and annual rates by 2030. Conclusion: Our reporting of a projected increase in PLC incidence to 2030 in 30 countries serves as a baseline for anticipated declines in the longer term through the control of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections by vaccination and treatment; however, the prospect that rising levels of obesity and its metabolic complications may lead to an increased risk of PLC that potentially offsets these gains is a concern. (Hepatology 2018;67:600‐611).
Parallel Dual-Loop Antenna for WWAN/LTE Metal-Rimmed Smartphone

A simple internal antenna design for wireless wide-area network/long-term evolution (LTE) operations is investigated, and it can be incorporated into a mobile phone that has an unbroken metal rim of height 5 mm. The proposed antenna is mainly composed of two parallel slots (dual loop) embedded on the system ground, and by feeding them with an L-shaped coupled feedline with matching networks, good excitation of multiple loop resonant modes can be obtained, which is capable of covering the GSM850/900 (824–960 MHz), DCS/PCS/UMTS2100, and LTE2300/2500 (1710–2690 MHz) operating bands. In addition, the feasibility of realizing decoupled multiantennas ( $2 \times 2$ multi-in multi-out antenna system) is also demonstrated, and its performances are acceptable for smartphone applications.
Anthocyanins inhibit high glucose-induced renal tubular cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress in db/db mice

Oxidative stress is an important contributory factor resulting the development of kidney injury in patients with diabetes. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that anthocyanins, natural phenols commonly existing in numerous fruits and vegetables, exhibit important anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and antihyperlipidemic effects; however, their effects and underlying mechanisms on diabetic nephropathy (DN) have not yet been fully determined. In the present study, the regulation of apoptosis metabolism and antioxidative effects exhibited by anthocyanins [grape seed procyanidin (GSPE) and cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside chloride (C3G)] were investigated, and the molecular mechanism underlying this process was investigated in vivo and in vitro. GSPE administration was revealed to suppress renal cell apoptosis, as well as suppress the expression of Bcl-2 in diabetic mouse kidneys. Furthermore, GSPE administration was demonstrated to suppress the expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), in addition to enhancing p38 mitogen-activation protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) oxidase activity in diabetic mouse kidneys. In vitro experiments using HK-2 cells revealed that C3G suppressed the generation of HG-mediated reactive oxygen species, cellular apoptosis, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; and enhanced the expression of cytochrome c released from mitochondria. Furthermore, treatment with C3G was revealed to suppress the expression of TXNIP, in addition to the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 oxidase activity in HK-2 cells under HG conditions. In addition, treatment with C3G was revealed to attenuate the HG-induced suppression of the biological activity of thioredoxin, and to enhance the expression of thioredoxin 2 in HK-2 cells under HG conditions. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that anthocyanins may exhibit protective effects against HG-induced renal injury in DN via antioxidant activity.
Quantification of histochemical staining by color deconvolution.

OBJECTIVE To develop a flexible method of separation and quantification of immunohistochemical staining by means of color image analysis. STUDY DESIGN An algorithm was developed to deconvolve the color information acquired with red-green-blue (RGB) cameras and to calculate the contribution of each of the applied stains based on stain-specific RGB absorption. The algorithm was tested using different combinations of diaminobenzidine, hematoxylin and eosin at different staining levels. RESULTS Quantification of the different stains was not significantly influenced by the combination of multiple stains in a single sample. The color deconvolution algorithm resulted in comparable quantification independent of the stain combinations as long as the histochemical procedures did not influence the amount of stain in the sample due to bleaching because of stain solubility and saturation of staining was prevented. CONCLUSION This image analysis algorithm provides a robust and flexible method for objective immunohistochemical analysis of samples stained with up to three different stains using a laboratory microscope, standard RGB camera setup and the public domain program NIH Image.
Improved Prediction of Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Through Phase-Dependent Entropy of Daily-Life Walking

Age and age-related diseases have been suggested to decrease entropy of human gait kinematics, which is thought to make older adults more susceptible to falls. In this study we introduce a new entropy measure, called phase-dependent generalized multiscale entropy (PGME), and test whether this measure improves fall-risk prediction in community-dwelling older adults. PGME can assess phase-dependent changes in the stability of gait dynamics that result from kinematic changes in events such as heel strike and toe-off. PGME was assessed for trunk acceleration of 30 s walking epochs in a re-analysis of 1 week of daily-life activity data from the FARAO study, originally described by van Schooten et al. (2016). The re-analyzed data set contained inertial sensor data from 52 single- and 46 multiple-time prospective fallers in a 6 months follow-up period, and an equal number of non-falling controls matched by age, weight, height, gender, and the use of walking aids. The predictive ability of PGME for falls was assessed using a partial least squares regression. PGME had a superior predictive ability of falls among single-time prospective fallers when compared to the other gait features. The single-time fallers had a higher PGME (p < 0.0001) of their trunk acceleration at 60% of their step cycle when compared with non-fallers. No significant differences were found between PGME of multiple-time fallers and non-fallers, but PGME was found to improve the prediction model of multiple-time fallers when combined with other gait features. These findings suggest that taking into account phase-dependent changes in the stability of the gait dynamics has additional value for predicting falls in older people, especially for single-time prospective fallers.
Temperature Changes in Central Asia from 1979 to 2011 Based on Multiple Datasets

AbstractThe arid and semiarid region in central Asia is sensitive and vulnerable to climate variations. However, the sparse and highly unevenly distributed meteorological stations in the region provide limited data for understanding of the region’s climate variations. In this study, the near-surface air temperature change in central Asia from 1979 to 2011 was examined using observations from 81 meteorological stations, three local observation validated reanalysis datasets of relatively high spatial resolutions, and the Climate Research Unit (CRU) dataset. Major results suggested that the three reanalysis datasets match well with most of the local climate records, especially in the low-lying plain areas. The consensus of the multiple datasets showed significant regional surface air temperature increases of 0.36°–0.42°C decade−1 in the past 33 years. No significant contributions from declining irrigation and urbanization to temperature change were found. The rate is larger in recent years than in the early .
A global empirical system for probabilistic seasonal climate prediction

Abstract. Preparing for episodes with risks of anomalous weather a month to a year ahead is an important challenge for governments, non-governmental organisations, and private companies and is dependent on the availability of reliable forecasts. The majority of operational seasonal forecasts are made using process-based dynamical models, which are complex, computationally challenging and prone to biases. Empirical forecast approaches built on statistical models to represent physical processes offer an alternative to dynamical systems and can provide either a benchmark for comparison or independent supplementary forecasts. Here, we present a simple empirical system based on multiple linear regression for producing probabilistic forecasts of seasonal surface air temperature and precipitation across the globe. The global CO2-equivalent concentration is taken as the primary predictor; subsequent predictors, including large-scale modes of variability in the climate system and local-scale information, are selected on the basis of their physical relationship with the predictand. The focus given to the climate change signal as a source of skill and the probabilistic nature of the forecasts produced constitute a novel approach to global empirical prediction. Hindcasts for the period 1961–2013 are validated against observations using deterministic (correlation of seasonal means) and probabilistic (continuous rank probability skill scores) metrics. Good skill is found in many regions, particularly for surface air temperature and most notably in much of Europe during the spring and summer seasons. For precipitation, skill is generally limited to regions with known El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections. The system is used in a quasi-operational framework to generate empirical seasonal forecasts on a monthly basis.
Physical Therapy for Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. In its most common form, idiopathic scoliosis (70% to 80% of cases), the causes are unknown (Rowe 2003). AIS is discovered at 10 years of age or older, and is defined as a curve of at least 10°, measured on a standing radiograph using the Cobb technique (Parent et al, 2005). While the prevalence of AIS is around 3% in the general population, almost 10% of those diagnosed with AIS will require some form of treatment; usually observation or scoliosis-specific exercises (SSE) for mild curves, braces for moderate curves and spinal surgery for severe curves (Cobb angle >500). Up to 0.1% of the population is at risk of requiring surgery (Lonstein, 2006). A severe form of AIS is more commonly found in females. Typically, AIS does not cause any health problems during growth (except for extreme cases). However, the resulting surface deformity frequently has a negative impact on adolescents` bodyimage and self-esteem that can give rise to quality of life (QoL) issues and in worst cases, psychological disturbances (Maclean et al, 1989). Adolescent patients are generally treated in an attempt to halt the progressive nature of the deformity. No treatments succeed in full correction to a normal spine, and even reduction of the deformity is difficult (Danielson and Nachemson, 2001). If scoliosis surpasses a critical threshold, usually considered to be 30o Cobb, at the end of growth, the risk of health and social problems in adulthood increases significantly (Negrini, 2005). Problems include reduced quality of life, disability, pain, increased cosmetic deformity, functional limitations, sometimes
Computed Tomography–Based Imaging of Voxel-Wise Lesion Water Uptake in Ischemic Brain: Relationship Between Density and Direct Volumetry

Objectives Net water uptake per volume of brain tissue may be calculated by computed tomography (CT) density, and this imaging biomarker has recently been investigated as a predictor of lesion age in acute stroke. However, the hypothesis that measurements of CT density may be used to quantify net water uptake per volume of infarct lesion has not been validated by direct volumetric measurements so far. The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a theoretical relationship between CT density reduction and net water uptake per volume of ischemic lesions and (2) confirm this relationship by quantitative in vitro and in vivo CT image analysis using direct volumetric measurements. Materials and Methods We developed a theoretical rationale for a linear relationship between net water uptake per volume of ischemic lesions and CT attenuation. The derived relationship between water uptake and CT density was tested in vitro in a set of increasingly diluted iodine solutions with successive CT measurements. Furthermore, the consistency of this relationship was evaluated using human in vivo CT images in a retrospective multicentric cohort. In 50 edematous infarct lesions, net water uptake was determined by direct measurement of the volumetric difference between the ischemic and normal hemisphere and was correlated with net water uptake calculated by ischemic density measurements. Results With regard to in vitro data, water uptake by density measurement was equivalent to direct volumetric measurement (r = 0.99, P < 0.0001; mean ± SD difference, −0.29% ± 0.39%, not different from 0, P < 0.0001). In the study cohort, the mean ± SD uptake of water within infarct measured by volumetry was 44.7 ± 26.8 mL and the mean percent water uptake per lesion volume was 22.7% ± 7.4%. This was equivalent to percent water uptake obtained from density measurements: 21.4% ± 6.4%. The mean difference between percent water uptake by direct volumetry and percent water uptake by CT density was −1.79% ± 3.40%, which was not significantly different from 0 (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Volume of water uptake in infarct lesions can be calculated quantitatively by relative CT density measurements. Voxel-wise imaging of water uptake depicts lesion pathophysiology and could serve as a quantitative imaging biomarker of acute infarct lesions.
Aberystwyth University Induction of accurate and interpretable fuzzy rules from preliminary crisp representation

This paper proposes a novel approach for building transparent knowledge-based systems by generating accurate and interpretable fuzzy rules. The learning mechanism reported here induces fuzzy rules via making use of only predeﬁned fuzzy labels that reﬂect prescribed notations and domain expertise, thereby ensuring transparency in the knowledge model adopted for problem solving. It works by mapping every coarsely learned crisp production rule in the knowledge base onto a set of potentially useful fuzzy rules, which serves as an initial step towards an intuitive technique for similarity-based rule generalisation. This is followed by a procedure that locally selects a compact subset of the emerging fuzzy rules, so that the resulting subset collectively generalises the underlying original crisp rule. The outcome of this local procedure forms the input to a global genetic search process, which seeks for a trade-off between accuracy and complexity of the eventually induced fuzzy rule base while maintaining trans-parency. Systematic experimental results are provided to demonstrate that the induced fuzzy knowledge base is of high performance and interpretability.
The experience of women carriers of BRCA mutations following risk-reducing surgery: A cultural perspective

ABSTRACT In this qualitative study, we examine the experience of 13 Jewish Israeli women carriers of BRCA mutations following risk-reducing surgery. Thematic analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interview texts yielded three themes: (a) dialectic of vulnerability and control, (b) presentation of self as a “normal” woman, and (c) genetic chain of negative life events and guilt. Aspects of Israeli culture impacting participants’ experiences are: personal and collective responsibility, the shift toward consumerism, and pro-natal ideology. The findings may be useful for health practitioners working with other nationalities with similar cultural characteristics and to prompt practitioners to explore their own and their patients’ perceptions regarding women's risk-reducing surgery and genetic illnesses.