Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an Algorithmic Approach in Comparison with the Illumigene Assay for Laboratory Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection

ABSTRACT The following three diagnostic algorithms were evaluated in comparison with the Illumigene assay as a stand-alone test for Clostridium difficile detection: glutamate dehydrogenase antigen screen (GDH) followed by toxin A/B antigen testing (Tox A/B) with the cell cytotoxicity assay for discordant specimens (algorithm 1), GDH followed by the Illumigene (algorithm 2), and GDH followed by Tox A/B with the Illumigene for discordant specimens (algorithm 3). A total of 428 stool specimens submitted to three clinical microbiology laboratories in Manitoba, Canada, for C. difficile detection between June 2011 and April 2012 were included in the study. The prevalence of C. difficile in the stool specimens was 14.7% (63/428) based on toxigenic culture (microbiologic reference standard). The sensitivity and specificity of the Illumigene for C. difficile detection were 73.0% and 99.7%, respectively. The corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 65.1% and 100.0% for algorithm 1, 68.3% and 100.0% for algorithm 2, and 69.8% and 100.0% for algorithm 3. Using algorithm 1, a cell cytotoxicity assay was required for toxin detection in 37% of positive tests, prolonging turnaround time. However, the predictive value of a positive test based on a clinical reference standard (all tests positive or cytotoxigenic culture positive and clinical disease on chart review) was slightly higher with algorithm 1 than with the Illumigene assay as a stand-alone test or as part of an algorithm (algorithms 2 and 3). Based on a reduction in turnaround time, simplicity, and acceptable sensitivity and specificity, we recommend algorithm 2 (screening with the GDH antigen test and confirmatory testing with the Illumigene).
A central role for nuclear factor‐κB pathway in the antiinflammatory and proinflammatory actions of mechanical strain

Mechanical signals play an integral role in bone homeostasis. These signals are observed at the interface of bone and teeth, where osteoblast‐like periodontal ligament (PDL) cells constantly take part in bone formation and resorption in response to applied mechanical forces. Earlier, we reported that signals generated by tensile strain of low magnitude (TENS‐L) are antiinflammatory, whereas tensile strain of high magnitude (TENS‐H) is proinflammatory and catabolic. In this study, we examined the mechanisms of intracellular actions of the antiinflammatory and proinflammatory signals generated by TENS of various magnitudes. We show that both low and high magnitudes of mechanical strain exploit nuclear factor (NF)‐κB as a common pathway for transcriptional inhibition/activation of proinflammatory genes and catabolic processes. TENS‐L is a potent inhibitor of interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced I‐κBβ degradation and prevents dissociation of NF‐κB from cytoplasmic complexes and thus its nuclear translocation. This leads to sustained suppression of IL‐1β‐induced NF‐κB transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory genes. In contrast, TENS‐H is a proinflammatory signal that induces I‐κBβ degradation, nuclear translocation of NF‐κB, and transcriptional activation of proinflammatory genes. These findings are the first to describe the largely unknown intracellular mechanism of action of applied tensile forces in osteoblast‐like cells and have critical implications in bone remodeling.
Continuities and Discontinuities in the Experiences of Felt and Enacted Stigma Among Women With HIV/AIDS

In the post-1996 era, the effectiveness of antiviral therapies (such as highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART]), which transformed HIV/AIDS into a more manageable disease, raised expectations that the disease’s stigma would decrease. The authors compared focused-interview data from a pre-HAART (1994 to 1996) and a HAART-era (2000 to 2003) sample of African American, Puerto Rican, and White women living with HIV/AIDS to identify changes in stigma experiences and suggest reasons for continued stigmatization. In both eras, general stereotypes about HIV/AIDS, as well as gender- and race-related stereotypes about the disease, were identified. Internalizing any of these stereotypes was a necessary and sufficient condition for feeling stigmatized. Instances of enacted stigmatization were more frequent and intense in the pre-HAART era. Nevertheless, misinformation and irrational fears of contagion, which triggered stigmatizing behavior, persisted into the HAART era. This analysis revealed that although enacted stigmatization has decreased slightly, felt stigma remains a primary adaptational challenge facing women with HIV/AIDS.
Physiological training effects of playing youth soccer.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a 9-wk youth soccer program had any effect on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max and VO2submax), peak knee torque, and flexibility. Subjects were 20 sixth grade boys, 11 of whom were members of a YMCA soccer team: 9 were normally active boys who were not participating in any organized sport during the study who served as a control group. Mean ages (+/- SD) were 11.8 +/- 0.34 and 11.5 +/- 0.60 yr for the soccer and control group, respectively. Initial VO2max values of 49.83 and 47.42 ml . kg-1 . min-1 for the soccer and the control group, respectively, are similar to those reported in the literature for untrained normal boys of this age. Results indicated that playing soccer three times weekly increased VEmax and reduced VO2 (ml . kg-1 . min-1 and 1 . min-1) at a submaximal running speed (all P's less than 0.05), while no change in VO2max was noted. No significant training effect was observed in peak knee torque or flexibility subsequent to soccer training. It is concluded that the effects of playing soccer in these subjects resulted in no change in cardiorespiratory fitness, peak knee torque, or flexibility.
NCFET: Opportunities & challenges for advanced technology nodes

In ten years since the concept of negative capacitance (NC) was first postulated [1] there have been numerous experimental demonstrations of the effect [2, 3]. In addition, circuit simulations show that NCFET can provide one generation performance boost [4, 5]. But advanced technology nodes present new challenges for NCFET. In scaled fin pitch we have to find room for the interfacial layers (IL), ferroelectrics (FE), work function (WF) metal, and gate metal (Fig. 1). During FE layer formation process we need 10nm thick metal layer to enable uniform crystallization. That means that we have to either scale down the FE layer thickness or the WF metal. It seems that the scaling will necessitate thinner FE layer, which needs to be crystalized at higher temperature and it is much more prone to leakage. Resulting FE capacitance (C<inf>FE</inf>) is too large in magnitude and hence there will barely be any NC effects (Fig. 2). To achieve steeper subthreshold slopes (SS), we have to use thicker FE and we are forced to reengineer the metal gate stack. Since the V<inf>TH</inf> of NCFET is determined by capacitance matching, it is more difficult to get a wide range for V<inf>TH</inf> (Fig. 3). The voltage gain in an NCFET depends on both gate and drain bias (V<inf>G</inf> and V<inf>D</inf>) [4]. Because of the drain to gate coupling, the voltage at the internal gate node (V<inf>INT</inf>) becomes less than the applied voltage at the external gate node (V<inf>G</inf>) in the sub-threshold regime (Fig. 4(a)). In fact, for V<inf>GS</inf> << V<inf>TH</inf>, V<inf>INT</inf> becomes negative (Fig. 4(a)) [considering, no shift in V<inf>TH</inf> occurs through gate WF mismatch]. Therefore, despite having lower V<inf>TH</inf>, the I<inf>OFF</inf> in NCFET can be lower than the control device (Fig. 4 (b)) [4]. On the other hand, for V<inf>GS</inf> > V<inf>TH</inf>, V<inf>INT</inf> is enhanced beyond V<inf>G</inf>, as NC of the FE provides amplification. That accounts for the boost in I<inf>ON</inf> (Fig. 4 (b)).
Subunit Exchange of Multimeric Protein Complexes

The subunit exchange of the small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) PsHSP18.1 from pea andTaHSP16.9 from wheat has been monitored in real-time using nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry. By preserving the noncovalent interactions between subunits in the mass spectrometer, we show that these proteins are dodecameric. After mixing PsHSP18.1 andTaHSP16.9, a distribution of heterododecamers is formed. A comparison with spectra obtained from statistical modeling demonstrates that after equilibration the distribution of these heterocomplexes is governed by the starting ratio of the two components rather than an inherent preference for certain stoichiometries. This finding suggests that the two different sHSP subunits interact in a very similar manner. Following the kinetics of this reaction by mass spectrometry reveals that exchange proceeds via sequential incorporation of subunits with dimeric species being the principal units of exchange. Therefore, we conclude that sHSP complexes are in rapid dissociation/reassociation equilibria with suboligomeric forms. More generally, these experiments illustrate a powerful approach for the real-time analysis of the evolution of transient species and their relative populations during the subunit exchange of multimeric protein complexes.
The effect of PUVA treatment on circulating lymphocytes

8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) followed by UVA irradiation (PUVA) is now an accepted mode of treatment in dermatology. About 40% of incident UVA passes through the epidermis to the dermis (Everett, Yeargers & Sayre, 1966) and concern has been expressed about the effects of PUVA on circulating lymphocytes. Repeated damage to lymphocyte DNA might impair their function and predispose to neoplastic changes. This is of particular importance in the otherwise healthy psoriasis patient who may have PUVA treatment for many years. Swanbeck et al (1975) have detected a significantly increased incidence of chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes irradiated in vitro with UVA from patients who had ingested 8-MOP. Carter, WolfF & Schnedl (1976) showed that in vitro 8-MOP and UVA increases the incidence of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultural lymphocytes, and Mourelatos et al (1977) detected a significantly increased incidence of SCE using in vitro UVA irradiated lymphocytes from psoralen treated patients. But Swanbeck and Mourelatos were unable to detect these chromosomal changes in the in vivo situation. Scherer, Kern & Braun-Falco (1977), also using lymphocytes irradiated in vitro from psoralen treated patients, showed significant inhibition of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced lymphocyte proliferation. We therefore thought it would be of interest to assess this lymphocyte function in psoriasis patients undergoing PUVA treatment. Three patients, who had had PUVA treatment for at least 6 months, were studied. Blood was taken 2 h after 8-MOP ingestion (circa o-8 mg/kg), before UVA irradiation (8-12 J/cm^), immediately afterwards and 24 h later. Lymphocyte PHA reactivity was assessed by a microtechnique using 5 p\ of whole blood diluted to 200 ^1 in RPMI medium containing 10% autologous serum and three diflferent concentrations of PHA. Normal ranges for adults have been established for this technique which has proved very sensitive for detecting impairment of T-lymphocyte function (Valdimarsson & Boler, 1979). The results for optimal concentration of PHA are shown in the table.
Outcome Uncertainty, Fan Travel, and Aggregate Attendance

The classical Uncertainty of Outcome Hypothesis (UOH) informs economistsâ understanding consumer decisions to attend sporting events and models of team revenue generation. Coates, Humphreys and Zhou (2014) developed a reference dependent preference based consumer choice model under uncertainty to motivate the UOH in which loss-averse consumers prefer games with certain outcomes. We develop an alternative model based on a standard expected utility model of fan behavior which incorporates fansâ decisions to travel to away games and aggregates decisions across local and visiting fans. This model generates predictions consistent with the classical UOH and concave team and league-wide total revenue functions.
Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE To determine the maximum-tolerable dose (MTD) of fluorouracil (5FU) when given with fixed doses of leucovorin and irinotecan (CPT-11), to define the dose-limiting toxicities of this combination, and to evaluate the effect of 5FU on the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11. PATIENTS AND METHODS CPT-11, leucovorin, and 5FU were administered in repeated 6-week cycles that consisted of weekly treatment with all three drugs for 4 consecutive weeks followed by a 2-week break. On day 1 of treatment, CPT-11 alone was given by 90-minute infusion, and pharmacokinetic sampling was performed over 24 hours. Leucovorin and 5FU were administered by brief intravenous injection on day 2. On days 8, 15, and 22, CPT-11 infusion was immediately followed by leucovorin and then 5FU. A second 24-hour pharmacokinetic sampling was performed on day 8, which permitted comparison of the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11 with and without 5FU. For the second 6-week cycle, leucovorin was administered first, followed by 5FU and then CPT-11, and a third pharmacokinetic sampling was performed. RESULTS Forty-two patients were entered onto this trial. The CPT-11 dose was initially fixed at 100 mg/m2. Leucovorin was fixed at 20 mg/m2. 5FU doses of 210, 265, 340, 425, and 500 mg/m2 were studied. When the 500-mg/m2 dose of 5FU was found to be tolerable, this was then maintained and CPT-11 was escalated to 125 and then 150 mg/m2. This final CPT-11 dose exceeded the MTD. Neutropenia was the major dose-limiting toxicity. Diarrhea was common, but was rarely dose-limiting. Coadministration of 5FU had no substantial effect on the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11 or SN-38. Among the 38 patients with colorectal cancer, six partial responses (PRs) were seen in this predominantly 5FU-refractory patient population. CONCLUSION 5FU does not substantially affect the metabolism of CPT-11 to its active metabolite, SN-38. The combination of CPT-11125 mg/m2, 5FU 500 mg/m2, and leucovorin 20 mg/m2 is feasible and tolerable on this schedule.
Secondary Neutron Doses to Pediatric Patients During Intracranial Proton Therapy: Monte Carlo Simulation of the Neutron Energy Spectrum and its Organ Doses

AbstractProton therapy has the physical advantage of a Bragg peak that can provide a better dose distribution than conventional x-ray therapy. However, radiation exposure of normal tissues cannot be ignored because it is likely to increase the risk of secondary cancer. Evaluating secondary neutrons generated by the interaction of the proton beam with the treatment beam-line structure is necessary; thus, performing the optimization of radiation protection in proton therapy is required. In this research, the organ dose and energy spectrum were calculated from secondary neutrons using Monte Carlo simulations. The Monte Carlo code known as the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) was used to simulate the transport proton and its interaction with the treatment beam-line structure that modeled the double scattering body of the treatment nozzle at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. The doses of the organs in a hybrid computational phantom simulating a 5‐y-old boy were calculated. In general, secondary neutron doses were found to decrease with increasing distance to the treatment field. Secondary neutron energy spectra were characterized by incident neutrons with three energy peaks: 1×10−7, 1, and 100 MeV. A block collimator and a patient collimator contributed significantly to organ doses. In particular, the secondary neutrons from the patient collimator were 30 times higher than those from the first scatter. These results suggested that proactive protection will be required in the design of the treatment beam-line structures and that organ doses from secondary neutrons may be able to be reduced.
On the Relationship of Value Creation and Value Capture

Scholars of the resource-based theory (RBT) have recently emphasised the need to integrate the concepts of value creation and value capture in the RBT, ultimately to obtain a better understanding of the resource/capabilities-performance link. This paper contributes to this debate by analysing the influence of firms' value creation and value capture capabilities on their competitive advantage and by studying the relationship of value creation and value capture. Through analysing survey data of 108 firms operating in the German Greentech industry, hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Most notably, find support was found for the hypothesis that firms' value capture capabilities moderate the influence of value creation on competitive advantage negatively, suggesting a substitutive relationship of value creation and value capture resource allocations. The authors' findings show that management can rather obtain competitive advantage by putting primary attention to either value creation or value capture instead of trying to maximise both at the same time.
A Synthetic Peptide Homologous to Functional Domain of Human IL-10 Down-Regulates Expression of MHC Class I and Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing 1/2 in Human Melanoma Cells1

Tumor cells treated with IL-10 were shown to have decreased, but peptide-inducible expression of MHC class I, decreased sensitivity to MHC class I-restricted CTL, and increased NK sensitivity. These findings could be explained, at least partially, by a down-regulation of TAP1/TAP2 expression. In this study, IT9302, a nanomeric peptide (AYMTMKIRN), homologous to the C-terminal of the human IL-10 sequence, was demonstrated to mimic these previously described IL-10 effects on MHC class I-related molecules and functions. We observed a dose-dependent down-regulation of MHC class I at the cell surface of melanoma cells after 24-h treatment with IT9302. The IL-10 homologue peptide also caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the IFN-γ-mediated surface induction of MHC class I in a melanoma cell line. We demonstrated, using Western blot and flow cytometry, that IT9302 inhibits the expression of TAP1 and TAP2 proteins, but not MHC class I H chain or low molecular protein molecules. Finally, peptide-treated melanoma cells were shown to be more sensitive to lysis by NK cells in a dose-dependent way. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a small synthetic peptide derived from IL-10 can mimic the Ag presentation-related effects mediated by this cytokine in human melanomas and increase tumor sensitivity to NK cells, which can be relevant in the designing of future strategies for cancer immune therapy.
Phage Display of Random Peptide Libraries: Applications, Limits, and Potential

Abstract The identification of ligands from large biological libraries by phage display has now been used for almost 15 years. Most of the successful reports on high‐affinity ligand identification originated from work with different antibody libraries. In contrast, the progress of applying phage display to random peptide libraries was relatively slow. However, in the last few years several improvements have led to an increasing number of published peptide ligands identified by phage display from such libraries and which exhibited good biological activity and high affinity. This review summarizes the current state and the technical progress of the application of random peptide libraries using filamentous phage for ligand identification.
Errors in Moral Forecasting

Research in moral decision making has shown that there may not be a one-to-one relationship between peoples’ moral forecasts and behaviors. Although past work suggests that physiological arousal may account for part of the behavior-forecasting discrepancy, whether or not perceptions of affect play an important determinant remains unclear. Here, we investigate whether this discrepancy may arise because people fail to anticipate how they will feel in morally significant situations. In Study 1, forecasters predicted cheating significantly more on a test than participants in a behavior condition actually cheated. Importantly, forecasters who received false somatic feedback, indicative of high arousal, produced forecasts that aligned more closely with behaviors. In Study 2, forecasters who misattributed their arousal to an extraneous source forecasted cheating significantly more. In Study 3, higher dispositional emotional awareness was related to less forecasted cheating. These findings suggest that perceptions of affect play a key role in the behavior-forecasting dissociation.
Short latency hand movement classification based on surface EMG spectrogram with PCA

Hand gesture recognition from forearm surface electromyography (sEMG) is an active research field in the development of motor prosthesis. Studies have shown that classification accuracy and efficiency is highly dependent on the features extracted from the EMG. In this paper, we show that EMG spectrograms are a particularly effective feature for discriminating multiple classes of hand gesture when subjected to principal component analysis for dimensionality reduction. We tested our method on the Ninapro database which includes sEMG data (12 channels) of 40 subjects performing 50 different hand movements. Our results demonstrate improved classification accuracy (by ~10%) over purely time domain features for 50 different hand movements, including small finger movements and different levels of force exertion. Our method has also reduced the error rate (by ~12%) at the transition phase of gestures which could improve robustness of gesture recognition when continuous classification from sEMG is required.
Are foot orthotics efficacious for treating painful medial compartment knee osteoarthritis? A review of the literature

This work examined the evidence base concerning the efficacy of laterally wedged foot orthotics for improving the symptomatology associated with painful disabling osteoarthritis of the knee medial compartment. To this end, all relevant peer‐reviewed publications on this topic published in the English language were retrieved and analysed. In addition, related biomechanical publications were analysed. These data indicate a strong scientific basis for applying wedged insoles in attempts to reduce osteoarthritic pain of biomechanical origin. Further research to substantiate their efficacy in well‐designed clinical trials seems warranted.