Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of time on outcome after intravenous thrombolysis in the elderly in a telestroke network

Background Recent studies showed that the safety and benefit of early intravenous (IV) thrombolysis on favourable outcomes in acute ischemic stroke are also seen in the elderly. Furthermore, it has shown that age increases times for pre- and in-hospital procedures. We aimed to assess the applicability of these findings to telestroke. Methods We retrospectively analysed 542 of 1659 screened consecutive stroke patients treated with IV thrombolysis in our telestroke network in East-Saxony, Germany from 2007 to 2012. Outcome data were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) by ECASS-2-criteria, survival at discharge and favourable outcome, defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0–2 at discharge. Results Thirty-three percent of patients were older than 80 years (elderly). Being elderly was associated with higher risk of sICH (p = 0.003), less favourable outcomes (p = 0.02) and higher mortality (p = 0.01). Using logistic regression analysis, earlier onset-to-treatment time was associated with favourable outcomes in not elderly patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.18; 95% CI 1.03–1.34; p = 0.01), and tended to be associated with favourable outcomes (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.92–1.38; p = 0.25) and less sICH (adjusted OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.76–1.03; p = 0.11) in elderly patients. Age caused no significant differences in onset-to-door-time (p = 0.25), door-to-treatment-time (p = 0.06) or onset-to-treatment-time (p = 0.29). Conclusion Treatment time seems to be critical for favourable outcome after acute ischemic stroke in the elderly. Age is not associated with longer delivery times for thrombolysis in telestroke.
Relationships between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and clinical/polysomnographic measures in a community sample.

STUDY OBJECTIVES 1) To characterize PSQI and ESS scores, and their relationship to each other, in an adult community sample; 2) To determine whether PSQI and ESS scores, in combination with each other, were associated with distinct demographic, clinical, and sleep characteristics. METHODS The PSQI, ESS, clinical rating scales, sleep diaries, actigraphy, and home polysomnography were collected from 187 community-dwelling adults (mean age 59.5 years, 47.1% women, 41.2% African Americans) as part of a study investigating novel cardiovascular risk factors. Correlations, cluster analysis, principal components analysis, MANOVA, ANOVA, and regressions were used to characterize the relationships between the PSQI, ESS, and other study variables RESULTS Mean PSQI score was 6.3 (3.4), and mean ESS score was 8.2 (3.9). PSQI and ESS correlated weakly with each other (r = 0.16, p = 0.03), but segregated from each other on principal components analysis. Groups of participants categorized by either cluster analysis of PSQI and ESS scores, or by scores above or below traditional cut-off values, differed from each other on psychological/stress symptoms and quantitative and qualitative sleep diary measures, but not on actigraphic or polysomnographic measures. Specifically, higher PSQI scores were associated with female sex, greater psychological distress, and greater sleep disturbance on sleep diaries. CONCLUSIONS The PSQI and ESS measure orthogonal dimensions of sleep-wake symptoms, but neither is related to objective sleep measures. The PSQI is more closely related to psychological symptom ratings and sleep diary measures than the ESS. These instruments are not likely to be useful as screening measures for polysomnographic sleep abnormalities.
Effectiveness of newspaper advertising for patient recruitment into a clinical trial.

AIMS To measure the impact of newspaper advertising across Scotland on patient interest, and subsequent recruitment into the Standard Care vs. Celecoxib Outcome Trial (SCOT), a clinical trial investigating the cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS Newspaper advertisements about the SCOT trial were placed sequentially in regional and national Scottish newspapers. The number of phone calls as a result of exposure to the advertisements and ongoing study recruitment rates were recorded before, during and after the advertising campaign. To enroll in SCOT individuals had to be registered with a participating GP practice. RESULTS The total cost for the advertising campaign was £46 250 and 320 phone calls were received as a result of individuals responding to the newspaper advertisements. One hundred and seventy-two individuals were identified as possibly suitable to be included in the study. However only 36 were registered at participating GP practices, 17 completed a screening visit and 15 finally were randomized into the study. The average cost per respondent individual was £144 and the average cost per randomized patient was £3083. Analysis of recruitment rate trends showed that there was no impact of the newspaper advertising campaign on increasing recruitment into SCOT. CONCLUSIONS Advertisements placed in local and national newspapers were not an effective recruitment strategy for the SCOT trial. The advertisements attracted relatively small numbers of respondents, many of whom did not meet study inclusion criteria or were not registered at a participating GP practice.
Enhanced Local Repair AODV (ELRAODV)

AODV is one of the most common reactive protocols used in MANET [1]. This paper proposes enhancement in popular on demand routing protocol AODV [2] by improving its local repair mechanism. Enhanced Local Repair AODV (ELRAODV) makes mobile nodes more aware of the local connectivity by extending original HELLO to NHELLO message in AODV as proposed in [3]. That extra information of the local neighbors allows ELRAODV to repair a route by sending a unicast request instead to broadcast in original AODV. The results show that ELRAODV performs better in terms of routing overhead, end to end delay than classic AODV. The simulation is done through network Simulator-2 (ns2).
Drug side effect prediction through linear neighborhoods and multiple data source integration

predicting drug side effects is a critical task in the drug discovery, which attracts great attentions in both academy and industry. Although lots of machine learning methods have been proposed, great challenges arise with boom of precision medicine. On one hand, many methods are based on the assumption that similar drugs may share same side effects, but measuring the drug-drug similarity appropriately is challenging. One the other hand, multi-source data provide diverse information for the analysis of side effects, and should be integrated for the high-accuracy prediction. In this paper, we tackle the side effect prediction problem through linear neighborhoods and multi-source data integration. In the feature space, linear neighborhoods are constructed to extract the drug-drug similarity, namely “linear neighborhood similarity”. By transferring the similarity into the side effect space, known side effect information is propagated through the similarity-based graph. Thus, we propose the linear neighborhood similarity method (LNSM), which utilizes single-source data for the side effect prediction. Further, we extend LNSM to deal with multi-source data, and propose two data integration methods: similarity matrix integration method (LNSM-SMI) and cost minimization integration method (LNSM-CMI), which integrate drug substructure data, drug target data, drug transporter data, drug enzyme data, drug pathway data and drug indication data to improve the prediction accuracy. The proposed methods are evaluated on the benchmark datasets. The linear neighborhood similarity method (LNSM) can produce satisfying results on the single-source data. Data integration methods (LNSM-SMI and LNSM-CMI) can effectively integrate multi-source data, and outperform other state-of-the-art side effect prediction methods in the cross validation and independent test. The proposed methods are promising for the drug side effect prediction.
Nosocomial blood stream infections in patients treated with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND The incidence of complication rates in patients treated with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) remains substantial and impacts the results of any future trial dealing with ECMO efficacy. Of these complications blood stream infections (BSI) are less well studied. Our objective was to report influence of BSI in ARDS patients treated with VV ECMO. METHODS One-hundred adult patients with ARDS treated with VV ECMO at the tertiary care hospital in Zagreb, Croatia between the October of 2009 and the June of 2016 were prospectively included in the study. RESULTS In 35% of patients an episode of the nosocomial BSI during VV ECMO treatment was detected. ECMO duration of more than 250 hours and significant bleeding episode independently increase the possibility of acquiring BSI during an ECMO run (odds ratio 3.189, 95% confidence limits 1.108-9.180 and odds ratio 3.378, 95% confidence limits 1.055-10.869 respectively). BSI occurrence had no effect on mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that BSI incidence increases with the duration of an ECMO run and bleeding complications with no effect on hospital mortality. Further studies of BSI in this risk group should address the problem of rapid diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy in an era of growing multiresistance.
Comparison of multimodal interactions in perspective-corrected multi-display environment

This paper compares multi-modal interaction techniques in a perspective-corrected multi-display environment (MDE). The performance of multimodal interactions using gestures, eye gaze, and head direction are experimentally examined in an object manipulation task in MDEs and compared with a mouse operated perspective cursor. Experimental results showed that gesture-based multimodal interactions provide performance equivalent in task completion time to mouse-based perspective cursors. A technique utilizing user head direction received positive comments from subjects even though it was not as fast. Based on the experimental results and observations, we discuss the potential of multimodal interaction techniques in MDEs.
Highly Diverse Protein Library Based on the Ubiquitous (β/α)8 Enzyme Fold Yields Well‐Structured Proteins through in Vitro Folding Selection

Proper protein folding is a prerequisite for protein stability and enzymatic activity. Although directed evolution can be a powerful tool to investigate enzymatic function and to isolate novel activities, well‐designed libraries of folded proteins are essential. In vitro selection methods are particularly capable of searching for enzymatic activities in libraries of trillions of protein variants, yet high‐quality libraries of well‐folded enzymes with such high diversity are lacking. We describe the construction and detailed characterization of a folding‐enriched protein library based on the ubiquitous (β/α)8 barrel fold, which is found in five of the six enzyme classes. We introduced seven randomized loops on the catalytic face of the monomeric, thermostable (β/α)8 barrel of glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) from Thermotoga maritima. We employed in vitro folding selection based on protease digestion to enrich intermediate libraries containing three to four randomized loops for folded variants, and then combined them to assemble the final library (1014 DNA sequences). The resulting library was analyzed by using the in vitro protease assay and an in vivo GFP‐folding assay; it contains ∼1012 soluble monomeric protein variants. We isolated six library members and demonstrated that these proteins are soluble, monomeric and show (β/α)8‐barrel fold‐like secondary and tertiary structure. The quality of the folding‐enriched library improved up to 50‐fold compared to a control library that was assembled without the folding selection. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first example of combining the ultra‐high throughput mRNA display method with selection for folding. The resulting (β/α)8 barrel libraries provide a valuable starting point to study the unique catalytic capabilities of the (β/α)8 fold, and to isolate novel enzymes.
Association of Unique, Isolated Treponemes with Bovine Digital Dermatitis Lesions

This study used a PCR-based approach targeting 16S rRNA gene fragments to determine the occurrence and association of the three bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) treponeme phylogroups within lesions found in cattle from the United Kingdom. Examination of 51 BDD lesions collected from infected cattle across the United Kingdom revealed that BDD treponeme group 1 (Treponema medium/Treponema vincentii-like), group 2 (Treponema phagedenis-like), and group 3 (Treponema putidum/Treponema denticola-like) were present in 96.1%, 98%, and 76.5% of BDD lesions, respectively. The three phylogroups were present together in 74.5% of lesions. The PCR assays enabled the isolation of further treponeme strains from previously mixed primary BDD lesion cultures. Here a representative from each of the three distinct treponeme phylogroups was isolated from a single BDD lesion for the first time. These data highlight the extent to which this disease is polytreponemal. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy were used to investigate lesional hoof tissues, resulting in treponemes being identified copiously in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, suggesting a potential route of exit and/or entry for these pathogens. This study gives further evidence for the importance of the three treponeme groups in BDD pathogenesis and reiterates the value of molecular genetic approaches for isolating and identifying fastidious anaerobes.
catena-Poly[diammonium [diaquabis(pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylato-κ2 N,O 2)cuprate(II)] [[diaquacopper(II)]-μ-pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylato-κ3 N,O 2:O 2′-[tetraaquacadmium(II)]-μ-pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylato-κ3 O 2:N,O 2′] hexahydrate]

The title mixed-metal complex, {(NH4)2[Cu(C7H3NO4)2(H2O)2][CdCu(C7H3NO4)2(H2O)6]·6H2O}n, contains one octahedrally coordinated CdII center and two octahedrally coordinated CuII centers, each lying on an inversion center. The two CuII atoms are each coordinated by two O atoms and two N atoms from two 2,4-pydc (2,4-H2pydc = pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) ligands in the equatorial plane and two water molecules at the axial sites, thus producing two crystallographically independent [Cu(2,4-pydc)2(H2O)2]2− metalloligands. One metalloligand exists as a discrete anion and the other connects the Cd(H2O)4 units, forming a neutral chain. O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds connects the polymeric chains, complex anions, ammonium cations and uncoordinated water molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Application of improved PSO for optimal design of CMOS two-stage Op-amp using nulling resistor compensation circuit

In this paper, design of an analog VLSI circuit is proposed using an evolutionary optimization technique. Here, CMOS two-stage op-amp using nulling resistor compensation circuit is considered for the optimal design by utilizing an improved form of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method that is Craziness based Particle Swarm Optimization (CRPSO). The concept of PSO is simple and it replicates the nature of bird flocking. As compared to Genetic algorithm (GA), PSO deals with less mathematical operators. Premature convergence and stagnation problem are the two major limitations of PSO technique. PSO has been already been improved to CRPSO to eliminate the limitations of PSO and is now applied for the optimal design of analog VLSI circuit in this paper. Control parameters of CRPSO are nearly robust and it produces near-global convergence. In this work, CRPSO is used to optimize the sizes of the MOS transistors' to minimize the overall area occupied by the circuit. The results obtained from CRPSO technique are validated with SPICE. SPICE based simulation results show that CRPSO is much better technique than previously reported techniques for the design of above mentioned circuit in terms of MOS area, gain, power dissipation etc.
Treadmill exercise ameliorates social isolation-induced depression through neuronal generation in rat pups

Social isolation is known to induce emotional and behavioral changes in animals and humans. The effect of treadmill exercise on depression was investigated using social isolated rat pups. The rat pups in the social isolation groups were housed individually. The rat pups in the exercise groups were forced to run on treadmill for 30 min once a day from postnatal day 21 to postnatal day 34. In order to evaluate depression state of rat pups, forced swimming test was performed. Newly generated cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were determined by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. We examined the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in the dorsal raphe using immunofluorescence. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) was detected by Western blot analysis. The present results demonstrated that social isolation increased resting time and decreased mobility time. Expression of 5-HT and TPH in the dorsal raphe and expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus were decreased by social isolation. The number of BrdU-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was suppressed by social isolation. Treadmill exercise decreased resting time and increased mobility in the social isolated rat pups. Expression of 5-HT, TPH, BDNF, and TrkB was increased by treadmill exercise. The present results suggested that treadmill exercise may ameliorates social isolation-induced depression through increasing neuronal generation.
Effects of IP Protection on Export of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services – US and EU Evidence.

We investigate the impact of intellectual property protection on exports of services (with a special attention to knowledge-intensive business services) from the US to the EU (27 countries) and rest of the world (36 countries) in 2000-2010. We separately assessed EU member countries because the EU and the US are currently negotiating the TTIP agreement leading to the creation of the largest free trade area. EU15 and US altogether account for about two thirds of global KIBS exports, which makes them the most important players in international turnover in these services.We construct a gravity model of bilateral trade flows that includes standard dependent variables, measuring the “economic masses” of countries and economic distance between them. In our model we built a specific variable: the threat of imitation. It is a dummy variable expressing the level of IPR protection (measured by Ginarte and Park Index) and imitation abilities (with human capital index as a proxy) in the importing country. We investigate empirically the occurrence of market size effects (Maskus, Penubarti 1995), as the theory does not provide definite answer whether more stringent IP regulations increase or decrease trade.
The European Union’s growing innovation divide. Bruegel Policy Contribution Issue 2016/08 April 2016

There is a significant divide between the European Union countries with the greatest capacity to innovate, and those with the least capacity to innovate. The difficult convergence process has been proceeding only very slowly and unevenly, and more recently seems to have come to a halt. A particular weak spot for the EU is corporate investment in research; in this area, the intra-EU divide is growing. As the business sector is responsible for the persistent R&D intensity gap between the EU and the United States and Asia, the persistent failure of lagging EU countries to catch up in this area provides much of the explanation for the EU’s weak performance compared to other economies. The evidence shows that the deployment of public budgets and the mix of policies employed by EU member states have tended to aggravate the intra-EU divide. The EU needs to better understand its growing internal innovation divide if it is to achieve its ambition of becoming a world innovation leader.
Tactical Network Modeller simulation tool

This paper discusses the implementation of a tactical network simulation tool. The tool is called Tactical Network Modeller (TNM). TNM uses some novel techniques to simplify the building of the network model using graph theory constrained by a hierarchical tree which reflects the organisation structure. TNM allows models to be constructed using an Application Programming Interface (API) or a node based User Interface (UI). When the model is constructed, different simulation back-ends can be applied to it. A discrete event simulation and a network emulation back-end are implemented building on top of open source tools. TNM is simple to create models for non technical users. The model can be used to analyse information flows. The same model can be used for a full network emulation. This allows real software and protocols to be tested in a realistic simulated environment. The flexibility of the software allows its use from engineering up to campaign planning.
Phase variation of Ag43 in Escherichia coli: Dam‐dependent methylation abrogates OxyR binding and OxyR‐mediated repression of transcription

It has been shown previously that phase variation of the outer membrane protein Antigen43 (Ag43) of Escherichia coli requires the DNA‐methylating enzyme deoxyadenosine methyltransferase (Dam) and the global regulator OxyR. In this study, we analysed the regulation of the Ag43 encoding gene (agn) using isolates containing a fusion of the agn regulatory region to the reporter gene lacZ. Our results indicate that phase variation of Ag43 is regulated at the level of transcription. Repression of agn′–lacZ transcription required OxyR, whereas activation required Dam. The regulatory region of agn contains three GATC sequences, which are target sites for Dam‐dependent methylation. In vivo, the methylation state of these GATC sequences correlated with the transcription state of agn′–lacZ. These GATC sequences were not protected from Dam‐dependent methylation in an oxyR background, suggesting that OxyR binding results in Dam‐dependent methylation protection in OFF cells. In vitro, both oxidized OxyR and OxyR(C199S), which is locked in the reduced conformation, bound to the agn regulatory region, but methylation of the three GATC sequences abrogated this binding. In vivo, OxyR(C199S) was sufficient to repress Ag43 transcription. Our data support a model in which OxyR‐mediated repression of transcription is alleviated by methylation of three GATC sequences in its binding site. In addition, we show that, in an oxyR background, Dam was still required for full activation, suggesting that the model concerning the role of Dam in agn regulation is incomplete. These results show that Dam‐dependent phase variation in E. coli is not limited to the previously identified regulatory system of the family of pap‐like fimbrial operons.