Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying immunoglobulin-A--deficient children and adults does not necessarily help the serologic diagnosis of coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin A deficiency is more common in patients with coeliac disease and also in patients with other gastrointestinal diseases than in normal people. There is a concern, therefore, that routine serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A testing of all cases of suspected coeliac disease may lead to unnecessary biopsy. METHODS Four hundred eighty-two routine consecutive samples from cases of suspected coeliac disease or malabsorption (109 children) were tested for IgA anti-endomysium and total IgA. Four hundred twenty-four sera samples also had IgG antigliadin checked for high-titre antibody. Archived adult sera from 31 patients with coeliac disease and 52 disease control subjects were included in the study. RESULTS Seven routine cases with serum IgA less than 15% of the mean normal for age and four cases with undetectable IgA were identified. Four patients, including three of four with clear deficiency, underwent small bowel biopsy, and all four had normal histologic findings and normal intraepithelial lymphocyte counts. Only one of the seven had high-titre IgG antigliadin antibody but that patient had normal histologic findings. One (3%) of 31 adults with established coeliac disease and 1 (2%) of 52 control subjects were IgA deficient. CONCLUSIONS Of patients with IgA deficiency, only those with both IgA deficiency and high-titre IgG antigliadin antibody should be routinely considered for biopsy.
The accumulation and metabolism of dopamine by the human platelet

Human blood platelets incubated for one hour at 37° C. with dopamine‐l‐14C (DA) accumulated the amine against a gradient. Such accumulation was markedly reduced by cold and by various metabolic inhibitors including iodoacetate, dinitrophenol, and sodium cyanide. Increasing the concentration of DA caused a decrease in the steady‐state distribution ratio which suggests that the uptake process is saturable. Various compounds which inhibit or compete for the amine pump in the platelet membrane, including desmethylimpromine (DMI), diphenhydramine, serotonin, debrisoquin, and guanethidine, depress the accumulation of DA. Uptake of DA was also reduced by benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, and haloperidol. Less than 10 per cent of the DA which accumulates in the platelet during one hour is metabolized. DA is a relatively poor substrate for platelet MAO and in addition the cell does not appear to contain dopamine β‐hydroxylase.
Topics in Power Usage in Network Services

The rapid advance of computing technology has created a world powered by millions of computers. Often these computers are idly consuming energy unnecessarily in spite of all the efforts of hardware manufacturers. This thesis examines proposals to determine when to power down computers without negatively impacting on the service they are used to deliver, compares and contrasts the efficiency of virtualisation with containerisation, and investigates the energy efficiency of the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin. We begin by examining the current corpus of literature and defining the key terms we need to proceed. Then we propose a technique for improving the energy consumption of servers by moving them into a sleep state and employing a low powered device to act as a proxy in its place. After this we move on to investigate the energy efficiency of virtualisation and compare the energy efficiency of two of the most common means used to do this. Moving on from this we look at the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. We consider the energy consumption of bitcoin mining and if this compared with the value of bitcoin makes this profitable. Finally we conclude by summarising the results and findings of this thesis. This work increases our understanding of some of the challenges of energy efficient computation as well as proposing novel mechanisms to save energy.
Deep Graph Attention Model

Graph classification is a problem with practical applications in many different domains. Most of the existing methods take the entire graph into account when calculating graph features. In a graphlet-based approach, for instance, the entire graph is processed to get the total count of different graphlets or sub-graphs. In the real-world, however, graphs can be both large and noisy with discriminative patterns confined to certain regions in the graph only. In this work, we study the problem of attentional processing for graph classification. The use of attention allows us to focus on small but informative parts of the graph, avoiding noise in the rest of the graph. We present a novel RNN model, called the Graph Attention Model (GAM), that processes only a portion of the graph by adaptively selecting a sequence of "interesting" nodes. The model is equipped with an external memory component which allows it to integrate information gathered from different parts of the graph. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the model through various experiments.
A new fetal ECG extraction method using its skewness value which lies in specific range

Every year, about one out of 125 babies born with some form of congenital heart defect. Therefore extraction of fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) from maternal skin electrode measurements will be raised as a prominent issue. Because of fetal heart farness from sensors, muscle contraction, instrumentation noise and etc, recorded signals from mother's abdomin is strongly distorted by noise. So desired signal (FECG) must be extracted purely. This problem can be modelled from the perspective of Blind Source Separation (BSS), almost all the BSS algorithms can be used to separate the fetal ECG. Since separating all the sources from a large number of sensor signals is not necessary, blind source extraction (BSE) methods may be a better choice. In this paper we proposed a lightweight algorithm, which extracts the fetal ECG with a preknowledge about its skewness. By using skewness, we defined a cost function by which we updated weight vector and through this we extracted fetal ECG as a desired signal. Experimental results show that the proposed method improved quality of extracted signal by increasing SNRsvd and SNRcor. Also computational cost required for extracting FECG was decreased.
Glucocorticoid downregulates expression of IL-12 family cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Objective This study aims to investigate expression of interleukin 12 (IL-12) family cytokines IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) treatment on their expression. Methods Plasma concentration of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, IL-6 and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies in 30 newly diagnosed severe SLE patients and 30 matched healthy subjects was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between the levels of IL-12 family cytokines and the levels of IL-6 or anti-dsDNA antibodies was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Results Significantly higher levels of plasma IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies were observed in SLE patients compared with healthy controls (p<0.05), and after prednisone treatment, the serum levels of IL-12 family cytokines decreased significantly. Moreover, serum levels of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35 were correlated with serum levels of IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies in pre-treatment as well as post-treatment SLE patients. Conclusions SLE patients have increased plasma levels of IL-12 family cytokines and GCs can downregulate the expression of them in SLE patients. Therefore, members of the IL-12 family may be involved in the pathophysiological process of SLE.
Point: Artificial limbs do make artificially fast running speeds possible.

#### Overview. Three mechanical variables constrain the speeds of human runners: 1 ) how quickly the limbs can be repositioned for successive steps, 2 ) the forward distance the body travels while the foot is in contact with the ground, and 3 ) how much force the limbs can apply to the ground in
Guidelines for the Psychotherapies in Comprehensive Psychiatric Care: A Discussion Paper

This discussion paper concerning guidelines on the practice ofthe psychotherapies by psychiatrists has been developed by a working group of the Steering Committee on the Psychotherapies formed in 1996 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) to address the practice of psychotherapy by Canadian psychiatrists. This paper provides the profession with guidelines for clinical care related to the practice of the psychotherapies that reflect best practices based on the available evidence, with the aim of improving standards ofpractice within the profession. Such guidelines are intended to be linked to emerging strategies for medical education, as well as continuing medical education (CME) and clinical quality assurance (CQA) initiatives within the CPA. This paper reviews the literature, synthesizing theoretical and research contributions and available empirical data. This Working Group has attempted to reflect the clinical experience of Canadian psychiatrists and to report only material that could reasonably be applied to the various models ofpsychotherapy.
The determinants of microfinance institutions' capital structure around the world

An enduring problem facing microfinance institutions is access to funding. This study investigates the determinants of MFIs access to funding using a comprehensive measure of capital structure. The design of the study takes account three gaps in our current understanding of this topic. Firstly, despite the huge literature on MFIs corporate governance and the significant role of women on microfinance outcomes, it is perhaps surprising that no research has been conducted on the effect of board gender diversity on MFIs capital structure. Secondly, the role of standard firm-specific and institutional-specific factors in determining MFIs capital structure decision is unclear. Utilizing an alternative regression framework may provide a reliable analysis. Thirdly, our understanding of the composition of MFIs leverage is far from complete. The relationship between deposit liabilities and non-deposit liabilities have not yet been subject of investigation. In response to these three major issues, this study employs empirical research methods using panel data analysis technique. We find that female directors have significant positive influence on deposits and subsidies. Furthermore, the study also shows evidence of risk-taking attitude among female directors when MFIs have three or more of them on board. Secondly, we find that the effect of firm-specific factors on MFIs capital structure differ across countries, while prior studies assume equal impact of these determinants. We find that institutional-specific factors significantly explain the variation of MFIs leverage across countries. However, commercially related institutional factors does not affect MFIs access to subsidies. We also show that there is an indirect impact of institutional factors, as we report their significance effect through firm-specific factors. Finally, the study provides empirical evidence that deposits and borrowings are substitutes rather than complements, and that the degree of substitutability is more pronounced in MFIs operating in a developed financial sector, where the degree of information asymmetry is lower.
Vesicle release probability and pre‐primed pool at glutamatergic synapses in area CA1 of the rat neonatal hippocampus

1 Factors determining the release probability were examined using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording and minimal stimulation (10 impulses, 50 Hz) of individual glutamatergic synapses, containing single release sites, on pyramidal neurones in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from neonatal rats. 2 Release probability following the first action potential in the burst (P1) varied among the synapses from 0 to 0.87 (mean ± s.d.; 0.35 ± 0.28, n= 52) and the average release during the burst (burst pool) varied from 0.4 to 4.1 events (1.7 ± 0.85, n= 52). Heterogeneity in P1 did not co‐vary with that of the burst pool. 3 By selecting burst trials during which only one release event occurred, the vesicle release probability (Pves) at a release site could be determined. It was found to vary considerably among the synapses, from 0.04 to 0.94 (0.43 ± 0.28, n= 43). This heterogeneity correlated significantly with that of P1 such that more than half of the variation of P1 could be explained by a variation in Pves. 4 The average number of vesicles directly available for release at the onset of the burst (the pre‐primed pool) was estimated as the cumulative release up to that point in the burst where a second release event did not produce higher initial release probability than that found in trials where only one vesicle was released. The average pre‐primed pool varied among the synapses from 0.4 to 2.1 (1.03 ± 0.42, n= 43). It co‐varied significantly with that of P1 such that it could explain the remaining variation in P1. 5 The difference between the burst pool and the pre‐primed pool suggests the presence of a fast (< 100 ms), activity‐dependent priming of vesicles. 6 Some synapses (9/52) did not show any initial release (P1= 0), but release occurred later during the burst (‘low frequency mute synapses’). Their behaviour was explained by an absence of a pre‐primed pool.
VET Applied Research: Driving VET's Role in the Innovation System.

Vocational education and training (VET) has largely been ignored as a player in the innovation system but with its ties to industry it has the ability to help translate new knowledge into the workforce. Through discussions with VET institutions, applied research organisations, industry bodies and policy-makers, this research looks at how applied research can help VET to become more active in the innovation system. The report also explores the capabilities that are needed and how registered training organisations and practitioners can build off their existing connections and skills.
Responses of tolerant and nontolerant Staphylococcus aureus strains to methicillin treatment in an experimental infection in mice

Staphylococcus aureus strains can be divided into tolerant and nontolerant strains on the basis of their survival in vitro in the presence of high concentrations of methicillin (greater than or equal to 64 micrograms/ml). A strain is defined as tolerant if more than 2% of the inoculum survives under these conditions. The response of five susceptible and five tolerant S. aureus strains to treatment with methicillin was studied in an experimental thigh infection in mice. Animals were treated with one and two injections of methicillin (2.5 mg per mouse). At the end of treatment, the number of CFUs in the thigh muscles infected with the susceptible strains was found to be significantly lower than that in the thigh muscles infected with the tolerant
Cell physiology of cAMP sensor Epac

Epac is an acronym for the exchange proteins activated directly by cyclic AMP, a family of cAMP‐regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors (cAMPGEFs) that mediate protein kinase A (PKA)‐independent signal transduction properties of the second messenger cAMP. Two variants of Epac exist (Epac1 and Epac2), both of which couple cAMP production to the activation of Rap, a small molecular weight GTPase of the Ras family. By activating Rap in an Epac‐mediated manner, cAMP influences diverse cellular processes that include integrin‐mediated cell adhesion, vascular endothelial cell barrier formation, and cardiac myocyte gap junction formation. Recently, the identification of previously unrecognized physiological processes regulated by Epac has been made possible by the development of Epac‐selective cyclic AMP analogues (ESCAs). These cell‐permeant analogues of cAMP activate both Epac1 and Epac2, whereas they fail to activate PKA when used at low concentrations. ESCAs such as 8‐pCPT‐2′‐O‐Me‐cAMP and 8‐pMeOPT‐2′‐O‐Me‐cAMP are reported to alter Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl− channel function, intracellular [Ca2+], and Na+–H+ transporter activity in multiple cell types. Moreover, new studies examining the actions of ESCAs on neurons, pancreatic beta cells, pituitary cells and sperm demonstrate a major role for Epac in the stimulation of exocytosis by cAMP. This topical review provides an update concerning novel PKA‐independent features of cAMP signal transduction that are likely to be Epac‐mediated. Emphasized is the emerging role of Epac in the cAMP‐dependent regulation of ion channel function, intracellular Ca2+ signalling, ion transporter activity and exocytosis.
Incidence of mutations in the PARK2, PINK1, PARK7 genes in Polish early-onset Parkinson disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex disease, comprising genetic and environmental factors. Despite the vast majority of sporadic cases, three genes, i.e. PARK2, PINK1 and PARK7 (DJ-1), have been identified as responsible for the autosomal recessive form of early-onset Parkinson disease (EO-PD). Identified changes of these genes are homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations. The frequency of PARK2, PINK1 and PARK7 mutations is still under debate, as is the significance and pathogenicity of the single heterozygous mutations/variants, which are also detected among PD patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of autosomal recessive genes PARK2, PINK1, PARK7 mutations in Polish EO-PD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The analysis of the PARK2, PINK1 and PARK7 genes was performed in a group of 150 Polish EO-PD patients (age of onset < 45 years). Mutation analysis was based on sequencing and gene dosage abnormality identification. RESULTS Mutations were identified only in the PARK2 and PINK1 genes with the frequency of 4.7% and 2.7% of subjects, respectively. In PARK2, point mutations and exons' rearrangements, and in PINK1 only missense mutations were detected. In both genes mutations were found as compound heterozygous/homozygous and single heterozygous. EO-PD patients' genotype-phenotype correlation revealed similarities of clinical features in mutation carriers and non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of the PARK2, PINK1, PARK7 mutations among Polish EO-PD patients seems to be low. The role of single heterozygous mutations remains a matter of debate and needs further investigations.
Determining factors influencing cloud services adoption in India

This study identifies the factors influencing cloud services adoption in India using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Role of perceived risk as a moderator in adoption of cloud services, too, has been examined along with other moderators such as gender, age, experience and voluntaries of use as stated in UTAUT model. Following a descriptive research design, a survey was conducted and a structured questionnaire was administered randomly to a sample of 379 respondents in Dehradun region. Most of the relationships confirmed to UTAUT model. Performance expectancy and effort expectancy emerged as the two most significant factors influencing cloud services adoption. Perceived risk, too, played a significant moderating role in adoption of cloud services. Cloud based services are relatively new to consumers in India. The benefits of these cloud technology can only be reaped fully if more and more customers adopt it. Also, various types of risks, such as financial loss, data loss, privacy etc., are associated with using cloud services. Therefore, this study may have immediate implications for cloud service providers.
Clinical Evaluation of Morphology Discrimination: An Algorithm for Rhythm Discrimination in Cardioverter Defibrillators

BORIANI, G. , et al.: Clinical Evaluation of Morphology Discrimination: An Algorithm for Rhythm Discrimination in Cardioverter Defibrillators. The aim of this study was to test the new morphology discrimination diagnostic algorithm for ICDs that differentiates supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) from VTs by analysis of ventricular depolarization complexes morphology. Twenty‐five patients implanted with a St. Jude Ventritex single chamber ICD were studied during electrophysiological evaluation at pre‐discharge and were followed for 7 ± 4 months. Sensitivity and specificity for VT detection and overall diagnostic accuracy of the morphology discrimination algorithm were calculated on 326 detected events. At electrophysiological evaluation, the algorithm was tested during 67 episodes of right atrial pacing, during 119 episodes of RV pacing (at basal interventricular septum and RV apex) and during 27 episodes of sustained AF: specificity was 98%, sensitivity was 66%, and diagnostic accuracy was 80%. All episodes of AF were correctly diagnosed as SVT. Exclusion of detections related to pacing at the basal interventricular septum, resulted in a specificity of 98%, a sensitivity of 85%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 93%. During follow‐up, evaluation of the morphology discrimination algorithm on 113 spontaneous episodes (31 VTs, 31 AF, 7 SVTs, and 44 sinus tachycardias) exhibited a specificity of 89%, a sensitivity of 100%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 92%. In conclusion, the morphology discrimination algorithm exhibits a high specificity in discriminating VTs from SVTs, although with a corresponding reduction in sensitivity. The preliminary experience on spontaneous episodes is promising. To correct for the reduction in sensitivity, it is advisable to use this algorithm in parallel with other algorithms for rhythm discrimination (sudden onset, stability) coupled with extended high rate.
Salmonellosis and shigellosis in Togo (West Africa), 1971-1973. I. Carrier rates in the rural population.

Carrier rates of Salmonella and Shigella in the rural population of Togo were investigated between October 1971 and January 1973. A total of 6051 stool specimens from 5075 persons living in 13 rural communities of all regions of Togo was examined. Each village was investigated twice, i.e. in the dry and rainy season, respectively. The overall carrier rate was 7.2% (Salmonella 6.6%, Shigella 0.6%). There was no significant difference in carrier rates of males and females. There was a higher prevalence of Salmonella infections in individuals over 65 years of age. Positive rates in the village varied form 2.0-19.8%. In the southern part of the country within the zone of equatorial climate positive results between 2.0% and 4.9% were observed without distinct differences between the dry and rainy season. In the central region positive rates determined in the rainy season (8.0-15.9%) were twice the rates in the dry season (4.2-7.6%). In the northern part of the country differences observed in the two investigations of each community seemed not to be related to season (2.0-19.0%). The 414 Salmonella strains belong to 133 serotypes, among them 17 new antigen combinations. Typhoid bacteria were detected in 6 subjects only; paratyphoid bacteria have not been isolated. Among Shigella strains Sh. flexneri was most frequently identified (31 of 36 strains).