Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multivariate respiratory motion prediction

In extracranial robotic radiotherapy, tumour motion is compensated by tracking external and internal surrogates. To compensate system specific time delays, time series prediction of the external optical surrogates is used. We investigate whether the prediction accuracy can be increased by expanding the current clinical setup by an accelerometer, a strain belt and a flow sensor. Four previously published prediction algorithms are adapted to multivariate inputs—normalized least mean squares (nLMS), wavelet-based least mean squares (wLMS), support vector regression (SVR) and relevance vector machines (RVM)—and evaluated for three different prediction horizons. The measurement involves 18 subjects and consists of two phases, focusing on long term trends (M1) and breathing artefacts (M2). To select the most relevant and least redundant sensors, a sequential forward selection (SFS) method is proposed. Using a multivariate setting, the results show that the clinically used nLMS algorithm is susceptible to large outliers. In the case of irregular breathing (M2), the mean root mean square error (RMSE) of a univariate nLMS algorithm is 0.66 mm and can be decreased to 0.46 mm by a multivariate RVM model (best algorithm on average). To investigate the full potential of this approach, the optimal sensor combination was also estimated on the complete test set. The results indicate that a further decrease in RMSE is possible for RVM (to 0.42 mm). This motivates further research about sensor selection methods. Besides the optical surrogates, the sensors most frequently selected by the algorithms are the accelerometer and the strain belt. These sensors could be easily integrated in the current clinical setup and would allow a more precise motion compensation.
Creatine Kinase Injection Restores Contractile Function in Creatine‐Kinase‐Deficient Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibres

Viable genetically engineered animals generally exhibit adaptations to the altered genotype, which may mask the role of the protein of interest. We now describe a novel method by which the direct effects of the altered genotype can be distinguished from secondary adaptive changes in isolated adult skeletal muscle cells. We studied contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ handling in single skeletal muscle fibres that are completely deficient of creatine kinase (CK; CK−/−) before and after microinjection of purified CK (injected together with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator indo‐1). The mean total CK activity after CK injection was estimated to be ∼ 4 mm s−1, which is ∼ 5 % of the activity in wild‐type muscle fibres. After CK injection, CK−/− fibres approached the wild‐type phenotype in several aspects: (a) the free myoplasmic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) increased and force showed little change during a period of high‐intensity stimulation (duty cycle, i.e. tetanic duration divided by tetanic interval = 0.67); (b) [Ca2+]i did not decline during a brief (350 ms) tetanus; (c) during low‐intensity fatiguing stimulation (duty cycle = 0.14), tetanic [Ca2+]i increased over the first 10 tetani, and thereafter it decreased; (d) tetanic [Ca2+]i and force did not display a transient reduction in the second tetanus of low‐intensity fatiguing stimulation. Conversely, tetanic force in the unfatigued state was lower in CK−/− than in wild‐type fibres, and this difference persisted after CK injection. Injection of inactivated CK had no obvious effect on any of the measured parameters. In conclusion, microinjection of CK into CK−/− fibres markedly restores many, but not all, aspects of the wild‐type phenotype.
Inhibitory effect of Weissella cibaria isolates on the production of volatile sulphur compounds.

AIMS The objective of this study was to characterize the inhibitory effects of Weissella cibaria isolates on volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) production both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS We isolated and identified three hydrogen peroxide-generating lactobacilli from children's saliva, and assessed their inhibitory effects on VSC production and Fusobacterium nucleatum proliferation. Clinical studies were conducted with 46 subjects in order to measure the VSC of their mouth air. RESULTS These lactobacilli were identified as W. cibaria. These isolates inhibited the production of VSC by F. nucleatum (p<0.05). The concentration of F. nucleatum was decreased by 5-log cycles as a result of exposure to the W. cibaria strains (p<0.05), whereas the catalase-treated W. cibaria cultures exerted no evident inhibitory effects on F. nucleatum replication. In the clinical studies, gargling with one isolate resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of H2S and CH3SH by approximately 48.2% (p<0.01) and 59.4% (p<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that W. cibaria isolates possess the ability to inhibit VSC production under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, demonstrating that they bear the potential for development into novel probiotics for use in the oral cavity.
Immune Memory and Immune Response in Children From Bulgaria 5–15 Years After Primary Hepatitis B Vaccination

Background: Bulgaria adopted the World Health Organization recommendation of routine universal infant vaccination against hepatitis B in 1991. Nevertheless, only a few studies evaluated the protection after the vaccination against hepatitis B, especially in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the duration of protection against hepatitis B in children aged 5–15 years after primary immunization, by measuring the immune and anamnestic immune response and possible breakthrough infections. Methods: A total of 141 children (aged 5–17 years) were recruited randomly and divided into 3 groups, approximately 5 years (group 1), 10 years (group 2) and 15 years (group 3) after primary immunization with a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine; they were tested for hepatitis B markers: hepatitis B surface antigen anti-hepatitis core antibody and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HB). A booster dose of vaccine was administered to 23 children with titers of anti-HBs antibodies below the threshold considered to be protective (<10 mIU/mL). Anti-HBs concentrations and geometric mean concentration (GMC) were determined before and 21–28 days after the booster vaccination. Results: Protective anti-HBs antibodies were detected in 95 of 141 (67.4 %) tested children, with a GMC of 63.57 mIU/mL. The seroprotection rate and GMC by groups was respectively: 84.6% and GMC of 76.05 mIU/mL in group 1; 55.8% and GMC of 58.1 mIU/mL in group 2; and 61.1% and GMC of 50.33 mIU/mL in group 3. Hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis core antibody were found in 1 of the 141 subjects (0.7%). Of the remaining 140 children, 95 had anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL, and anti-hepatitis core antibodies were not detected. A booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered to 23 of 45 (51%) children with anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL. Anamnestic immune response was shown in 100% of the children: the GMC was 337.38 mIU/mL and protective antibodies ranged between 15 and 955 mIU/mL. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the presence of immune memory and protection 5–15 years after the initial course of newborn immunization with recombinant vaccines against hepatitis B.
Multidimensional affluence: theory and applications to Germany and the US

This article suggests multidimensional affluence measures for the top of the distribution. In contrast to commonly used top income shares, they allow the analysis of the extent, intensity and breadth of affluence in several dimensions within a common framework. We illustrate this by analysing the role of income and wealth as dimensions of multidimensional well-being in Germany and the US in 2007 as well as for the US over the period 1989–2007. We find distinct country differences with the country ranking depending on the measure. While in Germany wealth predominantly contributes to the intensity of affluence, income is more important in the US.
CHARM: A Mixed Field Facility at CERN for Radiation Tests in Ground, Atmospheric, Space and Accelerator Representative Environments

Depending on the application, electronic systems and devices can be subjected to different radiation environments. According to the type of radiation encountered during operation, electronic components are simultaneously vulnerable to cumulative and single event effects. In addition, inelastic interactions of highly energetic particles with high-Z materials generate highly ionizing products. This can lead to catastrophic failures and therefore can have a significant impact on the reliability of electronic devices. For this reason, it is necessary to test electronic devices/systems in representative environments. For this purpose, a mixed field radiation test facility called CHARM has been established at CERN. Its radiation environment is not only representative of particle accelerators, but also of atmospheric, ground level and space applications.
The Impact of Topic Selection on Writing Fluency: Making a Case for Freedom

This study sought to test the hypothesis that topic-selection control influences fluency in writing. A total of 29 second-year university students (9 men, 20 women) in two separate classrooms engaged in a free writing activity using different topics (both teacher-selected and self-selected) in order to determine which approach was more likely to increase writing fluency. Participants’ written output was then textually analyzed for fluency using a type/token formula. A total of 116 samples written by participants over four weeks were examined to measure their writing fluency by counting the total number of unique words produced in a free writing task. Participants’ writing samples were then analyzed by conducting a correlated-samples t -test. The results showed the effect of topic-selection had a statistically significant influence on increasing students’ writing fluency. The results also support the claim that fluency development deserves a prominent role in second and foreign language classrooms and curriculums. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/nelta.v18i1-2.10328 Journal of NELTA, Vol 18 No. 1-2, December 2013; 31-40
Appropriate Moderated Regression and Inappropriate Research Strategy: A Demonstration of Information Loss Due to Scale Coarseness

Paunonen and Jackson (1988) demonstrated that stepwise moderated regression provides a test of interaction effects that protects the nominal Type I error rate. However, the stepwise procedure has also been characterized as failing to detect interaction effects in empirical studies. This issues has led to questions regarding the method's statistical power in applied research. It is demonstrated that, because of a research strategy frequently used in empirical investigations, the probability of Type II error in detecting a true interaction effect is unknown.
Intestinal Cell Tight Junctions Limit Invasion of Candida albicans through Active Penetration and Endocytosis in the Early Stages of the Interaction of the Fungus with the Intestinal Barrier

C. albicans is a commensal yeast of the mucous membranes in healthy humans that can also cause disseminated candidiasis, mainly originating from the digestive tract, in vulnerable patients. It is necessary to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the interaction of C. albicans with enterocytes to better understand the basis of commensalism and pathogenicity of the yeast and to improve the management of disseminated candidiasis. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of tight junction (TJ) formation in parallel with the invasion of C. albicans into the Caco-2 intestinal cell line. Using invasiveness assays on Caco-2 cells displaying pharmacologically altered TJ (i.e. differentiated epithelial cells treated with EGTA or patulin), we were able to demonstrate that TJ protect enterocytes against invasion of C. albicans. Moreover, treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of endocytosis decreased invasion of the fungus into Caco-2 cells displaying altered TJ, suggesting that facilitating access of the yeast to the basolateral side of intestinal cells promotes endocytosis of C. albicans in its hyphal form. These data were supported by SEM observations of differentiated Caco-2 cells displaying altered TJ, which highlighted membrane protrusions engulfing C. albicans hyphae. We furthermore demonstrated that Als3, a hypha-specific C. albicans invasin, facilitates internalization of the fungus by active penetration and induced endocytosis by differentiated Caco-2 cells displaying altered TJ. However, our observations failed to demonstrate binding of Als3 to E-cadherin as the trigger mechanism of endocytosis of C. albicans into differentiated Caco-2 cells displaying altered TJ.
A Phase I/II Study of Infusional Vinblastine with the P-Glycoprotein Antagonist Valspodar (PSC 833) in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: P-glycoprotein (Pgp) inhibitors have been under clinical evaluation for drug resistance reversal for over a decade. Valspodar (PSC 833) inhibits Pgp-mediated efflux but delays drug clearance, requiring reduction of anticancer drug dosage. We designed an infusional schedule for valspodar and vinblastine to mimic infusional vinblastine alone. The study was designed to determine the maximally tolerated dose of vinblastine, while attempting to understand the pharmacokinetic interactions between vinblastine and valspodar and to determine the response rate in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine patients received continuous infusion valspodar and vinblastine. Vinblastine was administered for 3 days to compensate for the expected delay in clearance and the required dose reduction. Valspodar was administered initially at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d; the dose of vinblastine varied. Results: The maximum-tolerated dose of vinblastine was 1.3 mg/m2/d. As suggested previously, serum valspodar concentrations exceeded those needed for Pgp inhibition. Consequently, the dose of valspodar was reduced to 5 mg/kg, allowing a vinblastine dose of 2.1 mg/m2/d to be administered. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated continued inhibition of Pgp at lower valspodar doses by functional assay in Pgp-expressing CD56+ cells and by 99mTc-sestamibi imaging. A 15-fold range in cytochrome P450 activity was observed, as measured by midazolam clearance. No major responses were observed. Conclusions: These results suggest that the pharmacokinetic impact of cytochrome P450 inhibition by valspodar can be reduced although not eliminated, while preserving Pgp inhibition, thus separating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activities of valspodar.
The Associating Abilities of Pre-Service Teachers Science Education Program Acquisitions with Engineering According to STEM Education

The aim of this study is to determine the associating abilities of elementary education pre-service teachers science education program acquisitions with engineering using STEM education. In the study which is a case study, firstly pre-service teachers were trained about the STEM education approach. Then “Elementary School Science Education Program Acquisitions-STEM Activities Form” was applied asking the subjects to prepare activities associating elementary education science lessons acquisitions with engineering. After the application of the form, semi-structured interviews were conducted to ask pre-service teachers’ opinions about STEM education, using STEM in elementary education science lessons and the activities they had written in the form. An analysis of the data showed that pre-service teachers could easily associate elementary school science program acquisitions and the field of engineering. A variety of activities were given that could be conducted in the elementary education science lessons. Interviewed teachers gave positive feedback to the approach and stated that it is an educational approach that must be applied to lessons. Keywords: elementary education, pre-service teachers, STEM education
Extended surgical staging for uterine papillary serous carcinoma: survival outcome of locoregional (Stage I-III) disease.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate survival outcome in patients with locoregional uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) after extended surgical staging (ESS). METHODS All patients diagnosed with FIGO Stage I-III UPSC undergoing ESS (vertical incision, peritoneal cytology, TAH/BSO, omental biopsy, lymph node sampling, peritoneal biopsy) between 1/1/89 and 12/31/98 were identified retrospectively from the tumor registry database. Pathologic features predictive of regional extrauterine spread were evaluated using the log-rank test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate survival curves, and median survival determinations were compared using the log-rank test or the proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS Twenty-six patients with locoregional UPSC were identified: FIGO Stage I (n = 11), Stage II (n = 7), and Stage III (n = 8). The median age at diagnosis was 66 years. Preoperative endometrial pathology correctly identified the presence of UPSC in 76.9% of cases. The only pathologic feature found to be predictive of regional extrauterine spread (Stage III) was myometrial invasion > or =50% (P = 0.028). Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was administered to 6/18 patients with Stage I/II disease and 5/8 patients with Stage III disease. Platinum-based chemotherapy was administered to 5 patients with Stage III disease. All recurrences of Stage I/II disease were located within the pelvis (16.7%). For Stage III disease, all recurrences occurred at distant sites (42.9%). The median follow-up time for surviving patients was 39.0 months (mean = 45.0 months). For all patients, the overall 5-year survival rate was 61.2%. According to FIGO stage, the overall 5-year survival rates were Stage I, 81.8%; Stage II, 64.3%; and Stage III, 31.3%. No significant differences were detected in the risk of death by stage, although there was a trend toward worse survival with Stage III disease: Stage I hazard ratio [HR] = 1.00, Stage II HR = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-12.03, Stage III HR = 3.63, 95% CI = 0.65-20.12. CONCLUSIONS Patients with locoregional UPSC following ESS have a more favorable prognosis than previously thought. The additional information provided by ESS facilitates the selection of adjuvant therapy. Whole pelvic RT is recommended for patients with Stage I/II disease. Pathologic Stage III disease portends a significant risk of distant recurrence. For these patients, administration of adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered in addition to directed RT.
Sequence analysis and molecular characterization of larval midgut cDNA transcripts encoding peptidases from the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L.

Peptidase sequences were analysed in randomly picked clones from cDNA libraries of the anterior or posterior midgut or whole larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus. Of a total of 1528 sequences, 92 encoded potential peptidases, from which 50 full‐length cDNA sequences were obtained, including serine and cysteine proteinases and metallopeptidases. Serine proteinase transcripts were predominant in the posterior midgut, whereas transcripts encoding cysteine and metallopeptidases were mainly found in the anterior midgut. Alignments with other proteinases indicated that 40% of the serine proteinase sequences were serine proteinase homologues, and the remaining ones were identified as either trypsin, chymotrypsin or other serine proteinases. Cysteine proteinase sequences included cathepsin B‐ and L‐like proteinases, and metallopeptidase transcripts were similar to carboxypeptidase A. Northern blot analysis of representative sequences demonstrated the differential expression profile of selected transcripts across five developmental stages of Te. molitor. These sequences provide insights into peptidases in coleopteran insects as a basis to study the response of coleopteran larvae to external stimuli and to evaluate regulatory features of the response.
RBC transfusion in the ICU. Is there a reason?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate RBC transfusion practice in the ICU. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING Multidisciplinary ICU in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS All patients admitted to the ICU with a length of stay of greater than 1 week. RESULTS A total of 23% of all patients admitted to the ICU had a length of stay of greater than 1 week (19.6 +/- 1.6 days). Of these patients, 85% received blood transfusions (9.5 +/- 0.8 U per patient). These transfusions were not solely a function of acute blood loss. Patients were transfused a constant 2 to 3 U/wk. Patients receiving blood transfusions were phlebotomized on average 61 to 70 mL per day. Phlebotomy accounted for 49% of the variation in amount of RBCs transfused. No indication for blood transfusion was identified for 29% of transfusion events. A low hematocrit (< 25%) was the only identifiable indication in an additional 19% of events. Almost one third of all RBCs transfused were without a clear transfusion indication. CONCLUSION The long-term ICU population receive a large number of blood transfusions. Phlebotomy contributes significantly to these transfusions. There is no clear indication for a large number of the blood transfusions given. Many blood transfusions appear to be administered because of an arbitrary "transfusion trigger" rather than a physiologic need for blood. Blood conservation and adherence to transfusion guidelines could significantly reduce RBC transfusion in the ICU.
Caracterización de las comunidades macrobentónicas de fondos blandos en regiones estuarinas de Río Grande do Sul (Brasil)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar y comparar las comunidades macrobentonicas de fondos blandos, en distintas unidades de habitat, en regiones estuarinas del Rio Mampituba, Complejo Lagunar-estuarino Tramandai-Armazem, Lagoa do Peixe, Lagoa dos Patos y Arroio Chui, en una situacion de verano. Los muestreos fueron realizados en el mes de Marzo de 1995, con la utilizacion de un tubo de PVC de 0, 15 m de diametro (0, 017 m²) y un recolector de fondo tipo van-Veen (0, 078 m²).
Perceived Health Benefits and Willingness to Pay for Parks by Park Users: Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Whilst a growing body of evidence demonstrates people derive a range of health and wellbeing benefits from visiting parks, only a limited number of attempts have been made to provide a complementary economic assessment of parks. The aim of this exploratory study was to directly estimate the perceived health and wellbeing benefits attained from parks and the economic value assigned to parks by park users in Victoria, Australia. The research employed a mixed methods approach (survey and interviews) to collect primary data from a selection of 140 park users: 100 from two metropolitan parks in Melbourne and 40 from a park on the urban fringe of Melbourne, Victoria. Our findings suggest that park users derive a range of perceived physical, mental/spiritual, and social health benefits, but park use was predominantly associated with physical health benefits. Overall, our exploratory study findings suggest that park users are willing to pay for parks, as they highly value them as places for exercising, socialising, and relaxing. Importantly, most people would miss parks if they did not exist. The findings aim to provide park managers, public health advocates, and urban policy makers with evidence about the perceived health and wellbeing benefits of park usage and the economic value park visitors place on parks.