Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of activity indices and efficacy end points for clinical trials of medical therapy in adults with ulcerative colitis.

tive example of the use of a measurement in a clinical trial (in some instances for regulatory approval). The task force met initially in person for discussion. The results were summarized in a draft manuscript by the primary authors (G.D. and W.J.S.) and discussed at the annual IOIBD meetings in 2004 and 2005. The manuscript was then circulated to the entire IOIBD membership; the leadership of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO); the leadership of 3 groups of investigators who conduct clinical trials in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the United States (the clinical alliance of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America), Canada (the clinical network of the Crohn’s and Colitis Founda
Social Network Analysis for Business Process Discovery

The organizational perspective of Process Mining is a valuable technique that allows discovering the social network of an organization. By doing so, provides means to evaluate networks by mapping and analyzing relationships among people, teams, departments or even entire organizations. However, when analyzing networks of large size, Process Mining techniques generate highly complex models, usually called ”spaghetti models”, that may be confusing and difficult to understand. In this dissertation we present an approach that aims to overcome this difficulty by presenting the information in a way that can be easily read by users. Clustering techniques adopting a divide-and-conquer strategy are applied for this purpose as they make possible the user to visualize and analyze the network in different levels of abstraction. Our approach also makes use of the concept of Modularity, indicating which iteration of the clustering algorithm best represents different user groups in the social network. This approach was implemented in the ProM framework and all the experiments were performed in that environment. Taking into consideration the results achieved for a realworld case study and the results of several experiments, we reached the conclusion that the approach is capable of dealing with complex logs and that the Modularity concept provides a good hint of which group of clusters best represents the user groups in a social network.
Patch-Related Vulnerability Detection Based on Symbolic Execution

During the lifecycle of a software system, software patches are committed to software repositories to fix discovered bugs or append new features. Unfortunately, the patches may bring new bugs or vulnerabilities, which could break the stability and security of the software system. A study shows that more than 15% of software patches are erroneous due to poor testing. In this paper, we present a novel approach for automatically determining whether a patch brings new vulnerabilities. Our approach combines symbolic execution with data flow analysis and static analysis, which allows a quick check of patch-related codes. We focus on typical memory-related vulnerabilities, including buffer overflows, memory leaks, uninitialized data, and dangling pointers. We have implemented our approach as a tool called KPSec, which we used to test a set of real-world software patches. Our experimental results show that our approach can effectively identify typical memory-related vulnerabilities introduced by the patches and improve the security of the updated software.
Extracting electrical material parameters of electrically large dielectric objects from reverberation chamber measurements of absorption cross section

Reverberation chambers can be used to measure the absorption cross section of a dielectric object. The absorption cross section of a dielectric object depends on its size, shape, and electrical material parameters. By comparing with a theoretical model of the absorption cross section, material parameters can be extracted from measurements. A model based on a plane wave approach of incident fields is used here, valid for electrically large material samples in an isotropic environment such as that in a reverberation chamber. Which material parameter can be extracted depends on the properties of the material sample. The presented method combines the accuracy of cavity methods with the flexibility of being able to measure samples of arbitrary size and shape. Because both the reverberation chamber and the material sample are electrically large, the method is particularly useful at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Speech emotion recognition using hidden Markov models

This paper introduces a first approach to emotion recognition using RAMSES, the UPC’s speech recognition system. The approach is based on standard speech recognition technology using hidden semi-continuous Markov models. Both the selection of low level features and the design of the recognition system are addressed. Results are given on speaker dependent emotion recognition using the Spanish corpus of INTERFACE Emotional Speech Synthesis Database. The accuracy recognising seven different emotions—the six ones defined in MPEG-4 plus neutral style—exceeds 80% using the best combination of low level features and HMM structure. This result is very similar to that obtained with the same database in subjective evaluation by human judges. Dealing with the speaker’s emotion is one of the latest challenges in speech technologies. Three different aspects can be easily identified: speech recognition in the presence of emotional speech, synthesis of emotional speech, and emotion recognition. In this last case, the objective is to determine the emotional state of the speaker out of the speech samples. Possible applications include from help to psychiatric diagnosis to intelligent toys, and is a subject of recent but rapidly growing interest [1]. This paper describes the TALP researchers first approach to emotion recognition. The work is inserted in the scope of the INTERFACE project [2]. The objective of this European Commission sponsored project is “to define new models and implement advanced tools for audio-video analysis, synthesis and representation in order to provide essential technologies for the implementation of large-scale virtual and augmented environments. The work is oriented to make man-machine interaction as natural as possible, based on everyday human communication by speech, facial expressions and body gestures. ” In the field of emotion recognition out of speech, the main goal of the INTERFACE project will be the construction of a real-time multi-lingual speaker independent emotion recogniser. For this purpose, large speech databases with recordings from many speakers and languages are needed. As these resources are not available yet, a reduced problem will be addressed first: emotion recognition in multi-speaker language dependent conditions. Namely, this paper deals with the recognition of emotion for two Spanish speakers using standard hidden Markov models technology.
Integron-Mediated Rifampin Resistance inPseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT A new rifampin resistance gene, arr-2, has been found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ARR-2 protein shows 54% amino acid identity to the rifampin ADP-ribosylating transferase encoded by the arr gene from Mycobacterium smegmatis. This arr-2 gene is located on a gene cassette within a class I integron.
Navigating through the Competency Based Fellowship Program: two trainees’ experience of the 2012 program

Objectives: This article discusses the real-life experience of two senior registrars who are approaching the end of their training under the 2012 Competency Based Fellowship Program. We have shared some practical tips to assist trainees in completing the Program, with particular emphasis on examination preparation. Conclusion: Whilst stressful at times, we believe that going through the Competency Based Fellowship Program has helped us build our knowledge, skills base, and expertise for practising psychiatry as consultants.
(18)F FDG PET/CT versus CT/MR Imaging and the Prognostic Value of Contralateral Neck Metastases in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether contralateral neck metastasis (CNM) from previously untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can be accurately detected at combined computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and assess the prognostic value of CNM. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from all enrolled patients. In total, 160 patients with HNSCC were preoperatively evaluated with FDG PET/CT and CT/MR imaging. Histopathologic results of neck dissection samples served as the reference standard for all cases. McNemar test and logistic regression with generalized estimating equations were used to compare the diagnostic value of FDG PET/CT and CT/MR imaging, and Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to assess the prognostic value of CNM. RESULTS Of the 160 enrolled patients, 94 (58.8%) had a neck metastasis on 231 sides and with 974 levels, and 20 patients (21.3%) had a contralateral neck metastasis. FDG PET/CT was significantly more sensitive than CT/MR imaging according to per-patient (91.5% vs 73.4%; P < .001), per-side (91.1% vs 69.6%; P < .001), and per-level analyses (78.9% vs 53.0%; P < .001). On the per-side basis, FDG PET/CT was also significantly more sensitive and accurate than CT/MR imaging when evaluating the contralateral neck (85.0% vs 45.0%, P = .008, and 91.6% vs 80.3%, P = .008, respectively). However, at univariate analysis, CNM was significantly associated only with cancer-specific death (P = .001) and overall survival (P = .015). CONCLUSION CNM from HNSCC can be detected at FDG PET/CT with higher sensitivity and accuracy than at CT/MR imaging.
Clinical, immunological, and genetic features of autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency: observations from a Norwegian registry.

OBJECTIVE Primary adrenal insufficiency [Addison's disease (AD)] is rare, and systematic studies are few, mostly conducted on small patient samples. We aimed to determine the clinical, immunological, and genetic features of a national registry-based cohort. DESIGN Patients with AD identified through a nationwide search of diagnosis registries were invited to participate in a survey of clinical features, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), autoantibody assays, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II typing. RESULTS Of 664 registered patients, 64% participated in the study. The prevalence of autoimmune or idiopathic AD in Norway was 144 per million, and the incidence was 0.44 per 100,000 per year (1993-2007). Familial disease was reported by 10% and autoimmune comorbidity by 66%. Thyroid disease was most common (47%), followed by type 1 diabetes (12%), vitiligo (11%), vitamin B12 deficiency (10%), and premature ovarian insufficiency (6.6% of women). The mean daily treatment for AD was 40.5 mg cortisone acetate and 0.1 mg fludrocortisone. The mean Short Form 36 vitality scores were significantly diminished from the norm (51 vs. 60), especially among those with diabetes. Concomitant thyroid autoimmunity did not lower scores. Anti-21-hydroxylase antibodies were found in 86%. Particularly strong susceptibility for AD was found for the DR3-DQ2/ DRB1*0404-DQ8 genotype (odds ratio, 32; P = 4 x 10(-17)), which predicted early onset. CONCLUSIONS AD is almost exclusively autoimmune, with high autoimmune comorbidity. Both anti-21-hydroxylase antibodies and HLA class II can be clinically relevant predictors of AD. HRQoL is reduced, especially among diabetes patients, whereas thyroid disease did not have an impact on HRQoL. Treatment modalities that improve HRQoL are needed.
Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors associated with infected skin lesions: influence on the local immune response.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate Staphylococcus aureus isolates from infected skin lesions for their potential to produce immune system-modulating toxins and to correlate these with white blood cell (WBC) counts associated with these lesions. DESIGN Specimens were obtained for bacterial culture and gram staining from 105 infected skin lesions, and the number of WBCs per low-power field (LPF) was determined. Chromosomal DNA was prepared from 84 bacterial isolates and subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis to determine the presence of genes encoding potential immunomodulating toxins. Bacterial populations were divided into 2 groups: those associated with low WBC counts (0-5 WBCs/LPF) and those with high WBC counts (> 5 WBCs/LPF). We applied chi(2) statistical analyses to compare the toxin gene profiles associated with WBC counts on initial swab for culture. PATIENTS Samples were obtained from patients at a single geographic location. RESULTS A higher than expected percentage of bacteria capable of producing the exfoliative toxins A and/or B (ETA and/or ETB) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was seen in all skin lesions infected with S aureus without regard to WBC count with initial cultures. Comparison of the toxins associated with the low WBC group vs the high WBC group showed that low WBC counts were associated with ETA and ETB, while high WBC counts were associated with PVL and toxic shock syndrome toxin. There were no differences in the clinical appearance of the lesions between groups. CONCLUSIONS Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors ETA, ETB, and PVL are associated with WBC counts from infected skin lesions. The exact role they play in affecting the WBC counts remains to be determined.
FGF‐1‐induced matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression in breast cancer cells is mediated by increased activities of NF‐κB and activating protein‐1

Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) plays a critical role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we investigate the effect of fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF‐1) on the expression of MMP‐9 in ENU1564, an ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea‐induced rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. We observed that FGF‐1 induces a dose‐dependent increase in MMP‐9 mRNA, protein, and activity in ENU1564 cells. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism of MMP‐9 regulation by FGF‐1, we investigated the role of components of PI3K‐Akt and MEK1/2‐ERK signaling pathways in our system since NF‐κB and AP‐1 transcription factor binding sites have been characterized in the upstream region of the MMP‐9 gene. We demonstrated that FGF‐1 increases Akt phosphorylation, triggers nuclear translocation of NF‐κBp65, and enhances degradation of cytoplasmic IκBα. Pretreatment of cells with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, significantly inhibited MMP‐9 protein expression in FGF‐1‐treated cells. Conversely, our data show that FGF‐1 increases ERK phosphorylation in ENU1564 cells, increases c‐jun and c‐fos mRNA expression in a time‐dependent manner, and triggers nuclear translocation of c‐jun. Pretreatment of cells with PD98059, a MEK1/2 inhibitor significantly inhibited MMP‐9 protein expression in FGF‐1 treated cells. Finally, we observed increased DNA binding of NF‐κB and AP‐1 in FGF‐1‐treated cells and that mutation of either NF‐κB or AP‐1 response elements prevented MMP‐9 promoter activation by FGF‐1. Taken together, these results demonstrated that FGF‐1‐induced MMP‐9 expression in ENU1564 cells is associated with increasing DNA binding activities of NF‐κB and AP‐1 and involve activation of a dual signaling pathway, PI3K‐Akt and MEK1/2‐ERK. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urinary steroid profile in females - the impact of menstrual cycle and emergency contraceptives.

Today's doping tests involving longitudinal monitoring of steroid profiles are difficult in women. Women have more complex hormonal fluctuations than men and commonly take drugs such as hormonal contraceptives that are shown to affect biomarkers used in these doping tests. In this study, we followed six women's urinary steroid profile during one menstrual cycle, including both glucuronides and sulfate conjugated fractions. Additionally, we studied what happens to the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) after administration of an emergency contraceptive (levonorgestrel, NorLevo®). The study shows that there are large individual variations in all metabolites included in the ABP and that the administration of emergency contraceptives may lead to suspicious steroid profile findings in the ABP. Urinary epitestosterone concentration increased during the menstrual cycle, leading to a decrease in the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio. The ratios followed in the ABP varied widely throughout the menstrual cycle, the coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 4 to 99%. There was a 3-fold decrease in epitestosterone 24 h post administration of the emergency contraceptive pill and androsterone, etiocholanolone, and 5β- androstan-3α,17β-diol concentrations decreased about 2-fold. When analyzed with the ABP software, one of the six women had an atypical profile after taking the emergency contraceptive. Furthermore, we could not find any alterations in excretion routes (i.e., if the metabolites are excreted as glucuronide or sulfate conjugates) during the menstrual cycle or after administration of emergency contraceptive, indicating no direct effect on phase II enzymes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A gridless multilayer router for standard cell circuits using CTMcells

We present a gridless multilayer router suitable for standard cell circuits using central terminal model (CTM) cells. A CTM cell has pins in the middle which split the over-the-cell (OTC) routing region into top and bottom parts. Nets are routed in both the channel (if needed) and OTC by using a channel router. Our router uses a combined constraint graph and tile expansion algorithm. We report the first maze router to take advantage of a graph based algorithm to solve the net ordering problem. Unlike a laggard pure maze router, it has the time efficiency of a fast graph based algorithm and the better results of a maze routing algorithm. This is also the first report of the use of a tile expansion maze router for the variable height routing problem. By variable height routing we mean that a single execution of the routing algorithm will result in a completely routed solution. The only thing that is not determined a priori is the height or number of tracks needed. Our router achieves channelless solutions for the Primary1 circuit by routing over the cell in three layers. It also generates equal or better results compared to the best of the previous channel routers for all the examples we have tried. In fact, Sockeye is the first router to achieve density solutions for the r1, r3, and r4 examples for two layers and for the r3 example for three layers.
Positive and negative selection LYS5MX gene replacement cassettes for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Novel MX cassettes are described that contain the open reading frames (ORFs) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Candida albicans LYS5. The LYS5MX and CaLYS5MX cassettes, the targeting efficiencies of which are equivalent to those of other MX cassettes, are positively selected for Lys+ in a lys5 background. Unlike most of the other MX cassettes, the LYS5MX cassettes are also negatively selectable (α‐aminoadipate‐resistant), which will allow the use of the LYS5MX cassettes in plasmid shuffling and will also greatly facilitate marker recycling. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and Scaling of W-Band SiGe BiCMOS VCOs

This paper discusses the design of 77-106 GHz Colpitts VCOs fabricated in two generations of SiGe BiCMOS technology, with MOS and HBT varactors, and with integrated inductors. Based on a study of the optimal biasing conditions for minimum phase noise, it is shown that VCOs can be used to monitor the mm-wave noise performance of SiGe HBTs. Measurements show a 106 GHz VCO operating from 2.5 V with phase noise of -101.3 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, which delivers +2.5 dBm of differential output power at 25degC, with operation verified up to 125degC. A BiCMOS VCO with a differential MOS-HBT cascode output buffer using 130 nm MOSFETs delivers +10.5 dBm of output power at 87 GHz.
Obtaining user's preference and ability from human-robot conversation towards mutual assistance

Community formation is important factor in human life, but it is not easy when your living environment is changed by retirement, moving, and so on. Therefore we focused on community formation and participation support system. Our proposed system find a relation and similarity by using personal characteristics. The authors place importance in a mutually assistance relation which utilize the advantages of each person's ability, knowledge, and so on. In order to find a relation, the system have to obtain users' personal characteristics, for example hobby, ability, preference, and so on. Therefore the authors are developing a dialogue robot system. Because the system have to provide a information or suitable relation according to individual preferences and interests that change from day to day. This paper shows that comparison human-human conversation and human-robot dialogue. The analysis result shows that conversation and dialogue include many information of personal characteristics. Moreover, the author tried one week free dialogue for long-term use. This trial also focused on time-dependence questionnaires. This result shows that timing of questionnaires are not make much difference of user's answer, but time-dependence questionnaires might be encourage the dialogue.
Predictions of a fundamental statistical picture

The recent discovery of a Higgs boson at the electroweak scale appears to point toward supersymmetry, as the most likely mechanism for protecting a scalar boson mass from enormous radiative corrections. The earlier discovery of neutrino masses similarly appears to point toward grand unification of nongravitational forces, which permits (for neutrinos) Majorana masses, Dirac masses, and a seesaw mechanism to drive the observed masses down to low values. A third major discovery, cosmic acceleration suggesting a (relatively tiny) cosmological constant, appears to point toward truly revolutionary new physics. Other problems and mysteries also indicate a need for fresh ideas at the most fundamental level. Here a picture is proposed in which standard physics and its extensions are obtained (through a nontrivial set of arguments) from statistical counting and stochastic fluctuations, plus the local geography of our universe. The unavoidable qualitative predictions include supersymmetry, $SO(d)$ grand unification, and vanishing of the usual cosmological constant. There are other (less conventional) specific predictions which should be testable in the near future. For example, the theory predicts new fundamental spin $1/2$ particles which can be produced in pairs through their couplings to vector bosons or fermions. The lowest-energy of these should have a mass $m_{1/2}$ comparable to the mass $m_h$ of the recently discovered Higgs boson (with $m_{1/2} = m_h$ in the simplest model). These particles should therefore be detectable in collider experiments, and they are also dark matter candidates.