Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myocardial diseases.

A s we enter into the new millennium, the aura of molecular genetics conjures up an exciting and challenging future for the cardiologist. The prospects for improvement in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease are limited only by our present knowledge and imagination. Speculations on the future aside, 2 major scientific feats have already affected cardiology in the past decade and will continue to do so in the next century: the Human Genome Project, which is nearing completion, and the ongoing intense effort to identify genes responsible for cardiovascular function and disease. Cardiac myocytes react to physiological and pathological stimuli with a growth response that leads to an increase in sarcomeres generated in parallel, giving rise to hypertrophy or, in sequence, giving rise to dilatation, or the combination thereof. Insights fundamental to ultimate elucidation of this growth process are hoped to be gleaned from understanding nature’s errors (inherited disorders) that represent a paradigm of hypertrophy or dilatation. There have been several surprises, namely, the hypertrophy of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) being a compensatory response to defects in sarcomeric structural protein, whereas dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) appears to be an impaired growth response due to defects in cytoskeletal proteins, including the laminae of the nuclear envelope. The genetic revolution provides the engines of ingenuity to achieve even greater progress in the imminent and distant future.
Antibody-mediated Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Brain Amyloid-beta Pathology

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is classified as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs memory and cognition. Definitive diagnosis requires access to brain tissue and clinicians rely primarily on behavioural observation. Few specific, reliable, and well-characterized quantitative tools are in development. The accumulation of misfolded amyloid- protein in the brain is one of the hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecular imaging strategies have focused on measuring the amount of cerebral amyloid-. Antibody-mediated molecular imaging of amyloid- offers a promising strategy to measure specific types of amyloid- pathology in the central nervous system. This work characterizes the attempted translation of 4 anti-amyloid- antibodies from histological tools to live animal positron emission tomography imaging contrast agents. Several mass transfer properties of the classical anti-amyloid- antibody 6E10 were measured as a function of age in the TgCRND8 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. 6E10 was used to extensively label amyloid- plaques after direct injection into the cortex of TgCRND8 mice. 6E10 was subsequently covalently modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in order to increase the blood concentration and promote higher brain uptake of the compound. PEG-modification of iii 6E10 enabled differentiation of TgCRND8 mice from wild type control mice using live animal imaging. Three additional antibodies were screened in a similar fashion; two of these antibodies targeted parenchymal amyloid- plaques and one targeted vascular amyloid- deposits. One of the antibodies that targeted parenchymal amyloid- plaques and the antibody that targeted vascular amyloid- were used to differentiate between TgCRND8 and wild type control mice using live animal imaging. This work demonstrates the successful use of 3 anti-amyloid- antibodies to detect amyloid- pathology using non-invasive imaging techniques and presents a credible framework for translating promising antibodies into contrast agents.
A Simple Charge and Capacitance Compact Model for Asymmetric III-V DGFETs Using CCDA

In this paper, we have proposed a simple, computationally efficient and physic-based compact model for III-V double gate field effect transistors (DGFETs) including gate insulator thickness asymmetry. The semiconductor charge and the gate capacitance are calculated using the recently proposed constant charge density approximation (CCDA). The CCDA approximation eliminates the need of knowing the exact wavefunction and thus provides an analytically simple way to model the DGFET electrostatics. The CCDA approximation assumes a constant charge centroid which is a limitation of this methodology. To address this issue, a physics-based charge centroid correction is also presented in this work. The proposed model (with charge centroid correction) is mathematically simple, scalable to any (a) (b) number of sub-bands and accurate for a wide range of gate voltages.
An empirical study on TCP flow interarrival time distribution for normal and anomalous traffic

In this paper, we study the effects of anomalies on the distribution of TCP flow interarrival time process. We show empirically that despite the variety of data networks in size, number of users, applications, and load, the interarrival times of normal flows comply with the Weibull distribution, whereas specific irregularities (anomalies) causes deviations from the distribution. We first estimate the scale and shape parameters and then check the discrepancy of the data from a Weibull distribution with the estimated parameters. We also utilize the Weibull counting model to recheck the conformance of small flow interarrival times with the distribution. We perform our experiments on a diverse variety of traffic data sets from backbone connections to endpoints of academic and commercial networks. Moreover, we propose a window‐based anomaly detection method as a possible application of our findings in which we first estimate the Weibull parameters of interarrival times in each window and then check the discrepancy of the data with a Weibull distribution with the estimated parameters and set an alarm whenever the difference is significant. We apply this method on one of our data sets and present the results to clarify the idea and show its capability in detecting volume anomalies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum Lipid Profile in Nigerian Patients with Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Accident

Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) has been shown to be associated with abnormal lipid profile (dyslipidaemia) as a risk factor. There is paucity of data regarding this in this environment hence this study. In this study, a total number of 63 subjects were recruited comprised of 33 patients with cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and 30 apparently healthy volunteers as control. A complete lipid profile which included Total serum Cholesterol (TC), serum Triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were assayed for both patients and controls. The lipid profile was determined using standard methods. The TC for both patients and control were 212±53 and 196±46 mg/dL respectively, TG for both patients and controls were 159±9 and 79±13 mg/dL respectively, HDL-c was 55±9 mg/dL for patients and 61±7 mg/dL for controls and LDL-c was 151±34 mg/dL for patients and 117±51 mg/dL for control subjects. TC, TG and LDL-c were higher in the ischaemic CVA patients than the controls; however only TG showed a significant increase while HDL-c although not significant was lower than control. The study therefore showed that ischaemic CVA is associated with hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and high LDL-cholesterol. We thus suggest preventive and management strategies that will reduce lipid levels (TC, TG and LDL) and enhance HDL-cholesterol in Nigeria patients that are prone to or diagnosed of ischaemic CVA.
Resting-state functional connectivity in adults with childhood emotional maltreatment

Background Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) has been associated with disturbances in emotional and behavioral functioning, and with changes in regional brain morphology. However, whether CEM has any effect on the intrinsic organization of the brain is not known. In this study, we investigated the effects of CEM on resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) using seeds in the limbic network, the default-mode network (DMN) and the salience network, and the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). Method Using 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) scans were obtained. We defined seeds in the bilateral amygdala, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the left dmPFC, and used these to examine whether individuals reporting CEM (n=44) differed from individuals reporting no CEM (n=44) in RSFC with other brain regions. The two groups were matched for age, gender, handedness and the presence of psychopathology. Results CEM was associated with decreased RSFC between the right amygdala and the bilateral precuneus and a cluster extending from the left insula to the hippocampus and putamen. In addition, CEM was associated with decreased RSFC between the dACC and the precuneus and also frontal regions of the brain. Conclusions We found that CEM has a profound effect on RSFC in the limbic network and the salience network. Regions that show aberrant connectivity are related to episodic memory encoding, retrieval and self-processing operations.
Risk-Adjusted In-Hospital Mortality Models for Congestive Heart Failure and Acute Myocardial Infarction: Value of Clinical Laboratory Data and Race/Ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of key laboratory and race/ethnicity data on the prediction of in-hospital mortality for congestive heart failure (CHF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DATA SOURCES Hawaii adult hospitalizations database between 2009 and 2011, linked to laboratory database. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional design was employed to develop risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality models among patients with CHF (n = 5,718) and AMI (n = 5,703). DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Results of 25 selected laboratory tests were requested from hospitals and laboratories across the state and mapped according to Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes standards. The laboratory data were linked to administrative data for each discharge of interest from an all-payer database, and a Master Patient Identifier was used to link patient-level encounter data across hospitals statewide. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Adding a simple three-level summary measure based on the number of abnormal laboratory data observed to hospital administrative claims data significantly improved the model prediction for inpatient mortality compared with a baseline risk model using administrative data that adjusted only for age, gender, and risk of mortality (determined using 3M's All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups classification). The addition of race/ethnicity also improved the model. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support the incorporation of a simple summary measure of laboratory data and race/ethnicity information to improve predictions of in-hospital mortality from CHF and AMI. Laboratory data provide objective evidence of a patient's condition and therefore are accurate determinants of a patient's risk of mortality. Adding race/ethnicity information helps further explain the differences in in-hospital mortality.
Auditing Boolean attributes

We study the problem of auditing databases which support statistical sum queries to protect the security of sensitive information; we focus on the special case in which the sensitive information is Boolean. Principles and techniques developed for the security of statistical database in the case of continuous attributes do not apply here. We prove certain strong complexity results suggesting that there is no general efficient solution for the auditing problem in this case. We propose two efficient algorithms: The first is applicable when the sum queries are one-dimensional range queries (we prove that the problem is NP-hard even in the two-dimensional case). The second is an approximate algorithm that maintains security, although it may be too restrictive. Finally, we consider a “dual” variant, with continuous data but an aggregate function that is combinatorial in nature. Specifically, we provide algorithms for two natural definitions of the auditing condition when the aggregate function is MAX.
Improved speech reception and sound quality with the DUET2 audio processor for electric acoustic stimulation

Abstract Conclusion: The results show that the DUET2 offers users speech perception that is equivalent to or better than the DUET. Moreover, the DUET2 offers subjective benefits above those provided by the DUET. Background: The DUET is a combination of hearing aid and CI in one device for electric acoustic stimulation. Since its introduction: a second generation, the DUET2, has been developed. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of the DUET2 compared to the DUET. Methods: Speech reception was determined in quiet and in noise. The sound quality of speech and music was rated using a visual analogue scale. Test intervals were at upgrade and at 3 and 6 months after upgrade. Results: Speech reception in quiet and in noise was significantly better than with the DUET after 6 months. For sentence reception in quiet, the SRT with the DUET2 did not change significantly between test intervals. Sentence reception in noise with the DUET2 improved significantly between 3 and 6 months and upgrade and 6 months. After 6 months, speech reception in quiet and in noise with the DUET2 was significantly better than with the DUET. Subjects rated the sound quality of speech and of music with the DUET2 significantly better than with the DUET.
FASTER VISUAL RECOVERY AFTER 23-GAUGE VITRECTOMY COMPARED WITH 20-GAUGE VITRECTOMY

Purpose: To evaluate whether 23-gauge (23 G) pars plana vitrectomy is associated with earlier visual recovery compared with standard 20-gauge (20 G) pars plana vitrectomy. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for various indications was performed. Thirty consecutive eyes in each group of 23-G and 20-G pars plana vitrectomy were analyzed. The mean decimal acuity of each patient was recorded at baseline, Day 1, and Weeks 1 and 6. The visual acuity on postoperative Day 1 and Week 1 was calculated as a proportion of the visual acuity at Week 6. The primary outcome measure was the rate of gain in visual acuity. The secondary outcome measures were intraocular pressure and surgical time. Results: The baseline visual acuity between the two groups was similar. The mean visual acuity on Day 1 (0.05 ± 0.09 20 G versus 0.16 ± 0.18 23 G; Snellen equivalent 20/400 versus 20/125; P = 0.004) and Week 1 (0.12 ± 0.20 20 G versus 0.30 ± 0.27 23 G; Snellen equivalent 20/160 versus 20/63; P = 0.002) was significantly better in the 23-G pars plana vitrectomy group. There was no significant difference in best-corrected Snellen visual acuity at Week 6 between the 2 groups. Eighty-three percent of the mean final visual acuity was attained by Week 1 in the 23-G group compared with only 43% in the 20-G group. Conclusion: Twenty-three gauge pars plana vitrectomy is associated with faster visual recovery compared with 20-G pars plana vitrectomy.
Analysis and design of fuzzy controller and fuzzy observer

This paper addresses the analysis and design of a fuzzy controller and a fuzzy observer on the basis of the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. The main contribution of the paper is the development of the separation property; that is, the fuzzy controller and the fuzzy observer can be independently designed. A numerical simulation and an experiment on an inverted pendulum system are described to illustrate the performance of the fuzzy controller and the fuzzy observer.
Cytokine Inhibition in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

IN RESPONSE: We agree that patients with CFS frequently report flu-like symptoms. However, in our experience, the presence of sore throat and tender lymph nodes does not properly discriminate patients with an inflammatory signature from those without. In our study population, 68% of patients regularly had sore throat and 56% regularly had tender lymph nodes, whereas 78% had 1 of these symptoms once. We evaluated treatment effects in subgroups of patients with an infectious onset versus those with a noninfectious start and found no differences between these 2 groups. We also agree that tumor necrosis factor may be involved in the experience of fatigue, as our study group previously showed in an animal study (1). Nevertheless, the studies that Dr. Chu cited involving etanercept (2, 3) did not show an effect of this drug in patients with CFS. Because we believe that cytokine disturbances are largely situated in the central nervous system of patients with CFS, we contend that etanercept, with its large molecular weight, is not a proper drug to inhibit tumor necrosis factor in the brain. As our trial shows, performing such studies using a placebo-controlled design and with inhibitors that access the central nervous system is essential.
Premotor Correlates of Integrated Feedback Control for Eye–Head Gaze Shifts

Simple activities like picking up the morning newspaper or catching a ball require finely coordinated movements of multiple body segments. How our brain readily achieves such kinematically complex yet remarkably precise multijoint movements remains a fundamental and unresolved question in neuroscience. Many prevailing theoretical frameworks ensure multijoint coordination by means of integrative feedback control. However, to date, it has proven both technically and conceptually difficult to determine whether the activity of motor circuits is consistent with integrated feedback coding. Here, we tested this proposal using coordinated eye–head gaze shifts as an example behavior. Individual neurons in the premotor network that command saccadic eye movements were recorded in monkeys trained to make voluntary eye–head gaze shifts. Head-movement feedback was experimentally controlled by unexpectedly and transiently altering the head trajectory midflight during a subset of movements. We found that the duration and dynamics of neuronal responses were appropriately updated following head perturbations to preserve global movement accuracy. Perturbation-induced increases in gaze shift durations were accompanied by equivalent changes in response durations so that neuronal activity remained tightly synchronized to gaze shift offset. In addition, the saccadic command signal was updated on-line in response to head perturbations applied during gaze shifts. Nearly instantaneous updating of responses, coupled with longer latency changes in overall discharge durations, indicated the convergence of at least two levels of feedback. We propose that this strategy is likely to have analogs in other motor systems and provides the flexibility required for fine-tuning goal-directed movements.
Profiling a MALL App for English Oral Practice A Case Study

The field of MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning) is in its golden era. Nowadays, there are more than 80,000 apps on the market, around 30,000 of which are devoted to language learning, especially English. Most of them have been developed outside the academic world. (Calle-Martinez et al., 13) and (Martin Monje et al., 14) suggest that, although several studies assess and propose rubrics to analyse the technical, pedagogical and cognitive validity of educational apps (Santiago, 12, Santiago et al., 14), in the field of language learning there is a need for a solid theoretical framework which, based on pedagogical, linguistic and technical precepts, can constitute a guide of good practices in the development and use of MALL apps, as well as an assessment tool to distinguish those apps that lead to successful learning outcomes from those that are mere time-fillers. VISP (VIdeos for Speaking) is a MALL app developed by members of the UNED-based ATLAS research group and the Ghent University-based GOLLD research group to promote oral practice in English, based on pedagogical and linguistic standards. In order to assess its validity it has been tested with two different user groups: Spanish and Belgian students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This paper shows the similarities and differences in their use and production. Given the differences in the ways of approaching and using the app, the results show that even though this MALL app was more effective with Spanish students in terms of motivation, Belgian students, though less motivated, performed better. In this light, the present study is in line with (Byrne, 14), concluding that this type of MALL app should be 'localized' according to the learners' cultural and linguistic factors, and suggesting that pedagogical standards of MALL apps should also take into account cultural factors.
Patterns of Psychoactive Substance Use Among Arab Secondary School Students in Israel

The current study examines patterns and trends in the use of psychoactive substances among Arab secondary school students throughout Israel. Data were collected in late 2004 using self-report questionnaires. The sample consisted of 2,944 students, Grades 7 through 12. Participants were sampled using a cluster method from schools throughout Israel. Results indicate higher use rates among males and among low-religiosity adolescents, as well as a strong link among attitudes, risk perception, behavioral intentions, and substance use. The study's implications and limitations, as well as possibilities for future research, are discussed. This study was funded by the Israel Anti-Drug Authority.
HyperSlice

HyperSlice is a new method for the visualization of scalar functions of many variables. With this method the multi-dimensional function is presented in a simple and easy to understand way in which all dimensions are treated identically. The central concept is the representation of a multi-dimensional function as a matrix of orthogonal two-dimensional slices. These two-dimensional slices lend themselves very well to interaction via direct manipulation, due to a one to one relation between screen space and variable space. Several interaction techniques, for navigation, the location of maxima, and the use of user-defined paths, are presented. <<ETX>>
Meta objects for access control: extending capability-based security

Object-based programming is becoming more and more popular and is currently conquering the world of distributed programming models. In object-based systems, access control is often based on capabilities, as capability-based security is a well-known paradigm. It has been extended by means to restrict, revoke, and expire capabilities. On the other hand, capabilities have serious drawbacks. First, in object-based systems, programming is based on the frequent exchange of object references (i.e., capabilities). Thus, it is hard to check which parts of an application are able to gain control of a certain capability. This becomes even harder if we consider distributed object-based systems like Java RMI and CORBA. Second. a capability usually cannot prevent method invocations from leaking unprotected references as return values. Transitive access control is not possible in a transparent way, which is independent of the code describing the invocation. We present a new security paradigm based on meta objects. Meta objects can be attached to object references and control access to the corresponding objects. Meta objects offer the same functionality as capability-based security. In addition. they can be used for implicit and transitive access control of object references passed as a parameter or as a result. Such a reference can be automatically protected by the meta object by attaching itself or another meta object to the reference before passing it on. Meta objects can implement arbitrary and user-defined security policies. They help to separate security policies from application code, and thus support reuse.