Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solvent/Detergent Virally Inactivated Serum Eye Drops Restore Healthy Ocular Epithelium in a Rabbit Model of Dry-Eye Syndrome

Application of autologous serum eye drops (SEDs) is a recognized means to treat severe dry-eye syndrome (DES). Due to the inconvenience and difficulty of preparing SEDs from some patients, producing SEDs from allogeneic blood donations is gaining popularity. A major safety concern associated with allogeneic blood is virus transmission. We therefore herein evaluated the possibility of applying a solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment to inactivate viruses and studied the impacts of such treatment of SEDs to resolve DES in a rabbit model. Sera prepared from the blood of five rabbits were pooled and divided into two sub-pools. One was untreated (SEDs), while the other was virally-inactivated with 1% Tri-n-butyl phosphate/1% Triton X-45 at 31°C for 1 h (S/D-SEDs). DES was induced in rabbits using 0.1% benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Rabbits were divided into five groups of two rabbits each. One group was untreated (control), three were treated twice daily for 3 weeks using PBS, SEDs, or S/D-SEDs, and the last received an additional 0.1% BAC (as the negative control). The DES condition was determined by measuring aqueous tear secretion (Schirmer’s test), corneal fluorescein staining, a corneal histologic examination, TUNEL stain apoptosis, and corneal inflammatory marker (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-6) expressions. We first confirmed that SEDs and S/D-SEDs had similar protein profiles and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β contents. Animal experiments showed that tear secretion did not significantly differ between the SED and S/D-SED groups but was significantly higher than in the PBS group. Eye fluorescein staining revealed dramatic improvements in epithelial defects in groups treated with SEDs or S/D-SEDs, and hematoxylin/eosin staining revealed microscopic epithelial layers similar to those of the untreated controls. Inflammatory markers and TUNEL studies showed that healthy epithelium had been restored in groups treated with SEDs or S/D-SEDs. In conclusion, this preclinical study supports the possibility of using S/D virally inactivated SEDs to treat DES and restore a normal epithelium.
Chitinases from Uncultured Marine Microorganisms

ABSTRACT Our understanding of the degradation of organic matter will benefit from a greater appreciation for the genes encoding enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of biopolymers such as chitin, one of the most abundant polymers in nature. To isolate representative and abundant chitinase genes from uncultivated marine bacteria, we constructed libraries of genomic DNA isolated from coastal and estuarine waters. The libraries were screened for genes encoding proteins that hydrolyze a fluorogenic analogue of chitin, 4-methylumbelliferyl β-d-N,N′-diacetylchitobioside (MUF-diNAG). The abundance of clones capable of MUF-diNAG hydrolysis was higher in the library constructed with DNA from the estuary than in that constructed with DNA from coastal waters, although the abundance of positive clones was also dependent on the method used to screen the library. Plaque assays revealed nine MUF-diNAG-positive clones of 75,000 screened for the estuarine sample and two clones of 750,000 for the coastal sample. A microtiter plate assay revealed approximately 1 positive clone for every 500 clones screened in the coastal library. The number of clones detected with the plaque assay was consistent with estimates of the portion of culturable bacteria that degrade chitin. Our results suggest that culture-dependent methods do not greatly underestimate the portion of marine bacterial communities capable of chitin degradation.
An evolving Learning Management System for new educational environments using 2.0 tools

The tools used in learning processes are in a continuous state of flux. One of the most significant changes is the application of Information and Communications technologies (ICTs) to educational contexts. This provides new possible ways to carry out learning activities, new learning services, the possibility to use new kinds of contents and activities, etc. However, ICTs have not provided as many advantages as they were supposed to, so changes are necessary. In this context, a new set of tools, Web 2.0, offers a new way to understand the Web, in which the user is the centre. Further, users can cooperate in order to define contents. This concept is also applied in technology-mediated learning but there are important problems when one tries to integrate such tools and concepts with existing systems. This paper explores the integration of these tools in traditional learning environments, the various possibilities and their advantages and drawbacks. After that, an interoperability scenario is described and two experiences are presented to show how 2.0 tools can be integrated in learning activities, and its effect in educational process.
Towards Large Scale Environmental Data Processing with Apache Spark

Currently available environmental datasets are either manually constructed by professionals or automatically generated from the observations provided by sensing devices. Usually, the former are modelled and recorded with traditional general-purpose relational technologies, whereas the latter require more specific scientific array formats and tools. Declarative data processing technologies are available both for relational and array data, however, the efficient declarative integrated processing of array and relational environmental data is a problem for which a satisfactory solution has still not been provided. Due to the above, an integrated data processing language called MAPAL has been proposed. This paper provides a brief description of the design decisions and challenges, related to data storage and data processing that arise during the ongoing implementation of MAPAL on top of the Apache Spark large scale data processing framework.
Cognitive functions in drivers with brain injure

The purpose of this thesis was to improve the understanding of what cognitive functions are important for driving performance, investigate the impact of impaired cognitive functions on drivers with brain injury, and study adaptation strategies relevant for driving performance after brain injury. Finally, the predictive value of a neuropsychological test battery was evaluated for driving performance. Main results can be summarized in the following conclusions: (a) Cognitive functions in terms of attentional and dynamic working memory-related functions are relevant for driving performance. (b) Neuropsychological impairments in information processing speed, divided and focused attention, requiring working memory, are associated to limitations in driving performance. In addition, qualitative aspects of driving problems especially impaired anticipatory attention appeared to constrain driving performance. (c) A neuropsychological test battery assessing speed of information processing and attention in terms of working memory predicted driving performance. In addition, cognitive factors are relevant for interpretation of driving problems qualitatively. (d) Driving speed adjustment and anticipatory attention were adaptive strategies for driving after brain injury. Interest in driving, motivation for driving safely, and driving experience appeared also relevant for driving after brain injury. (e) Collaboration between medical, neuropsychological and driving expertise is recommended for a total evaluation of driving performance after brain injury. Anticipatory attention was considered a working memory based attentional system, directing the processing resources flexibly and appropriately between the different information processing components. Thus, anticipatory attention demonstrated qualitatively that working memory is a prominent function in a real driving context.
Distress and empathy do not drive changes in specialty preference among US medical students

Background: Although medical student specialty choices shape the future of the healthcare workforce, factors influencing changes in specialty preference during training remain poorly understood. Aim: To explore if medical student distress and empathy predicts changes in students’ specialty preference. Methods: A total of 858/1321 medical students attending five medical schools responded to surveys in 2006 and 2007. The survey included questions about specialty choice, burnout, depression, quality of life, and empathy. Results: A total of 26% (205/799) changed their specialty preference over 1 year. Depersonalization – an aspect of burnout – was the only distress variable associated with change in specialty preference (OR, odds ratio 0.962 for each 1-point increase in score, p = 0.03). Empathy at baseline and changes in empathy over the course of 1 year did not predict change in specialty preference (all p > 0.05). On multi-variable analysis, being a third year (OR 1.92), being male (OR 1.48), and depersonalization score (OR 0.962 for each point increase) independently predicted a change in specialty preference. Distress and empathy did not independently predict students’ losing interest in primary care whereas being a fourth-year student (OR 1.83) and being female (OR 1.83) did. Conclusion: Among those who did have a major change in their specialty preference, distress and empathy did not play a major role.
Characterization of Regionally Associated Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in Bobcats (Lynx rufus)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) classically infects felid species with highly divergent species-specific FIVs. However, recent studies have detected an FIV strain infecting both bobcats (Lynx rufus) and pumas (Puma concolor) in California and Florida. To further investigate this observation, we evaluated FIV from bobcats in Florida (n=25) and Colorado (n=80) between 2008 and 2011. Partial viral sequences from five Florida bobcats cluster with previously published sequences from Florida panthers. We did not detect FIV in Colorado bobcats.
Single Rescuer Ventilation Using a Bag Valve Mask with Removable External Handle: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract Introduction Ventilation with a bag valve mask (BVM) is a challenging but critical skill for airway management in the prehospital setting. Hypothesis Tidal volumes received during single rescuer ventilation with a modified BVM with supplemental external handle will be higher than those delivered using a standard BVM among health care volunteers in a manikin model. Methods This study was a randomized crossover trial of adult health care providers performing ventilation on a manikin. Investigators randomized participants to perform single rescuer ventilation, first using either a BVM modified by addition of a supplemental external handle or a standard unmodified BVM (Spur II BVM device; Ambu; Ballerup, Denmark). Participants performed mask placement and delivery of 10 breaths per minute for three minutes, as guided by a metronome. After a three-minute rest period, they performed ventilation using the alternative device. The primary outcome measure was mean received tidal volume as measured by the manikin (IngMar RespiTrainer model; IngMar Medical; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA). Secondary outcomes included subject device preference. Results Of 70 recruited participants, all completed the study. The difference in mean received tidal volume between ventilations performed using the modified BVM with external handle versus standard BVM was 20 ml (95% CI, -16 to 56 ml; P=.28). There were no significant differences in mean received tidal volume based on the order of study arm allocation. The proportion of participants preferring the modified BVM over the standard BVM was 47.1% (95% CI, 35.7 to 58.6%). Conclusions The modified BVM with added external handle did not result in greater mean received tidal volume compared to standard BVM during single rescuer ventilation in a manikin model. ReedP, ZobristB, CasmaerM, SchauerSG, KesterN, AprilMD. Single rescuer ventilation using a bag valve mask with removable external handle: a randomized crossover trial. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):625–630.
A split kernel adaptive filtering architecture for nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation

We propose a new linear-in-the-parameters (LIP) nonlinear filter based on kernel methods to address the problem of nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation (NAEC). For this purpose we define a framework based on a parallel scheme in which any kernel-based adaptive filter (KAF) can be incorporated efficiently. This structure is composed of a classic adaptive filter on one branch, committed to estimating the linear part of the echo path, and a kernel adaptive filter on the other branch, to model the nonlinearities rebounding in the echo path. In addition, we propose a novel low-complexity least mean square (LMS) KAF with very few parameters, to be used in the parallel architecture. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in real NAEC scenarios, for different choices of the KAF.
Wavelet Transform Fuzzy Algorithms for Dermoscopic Image Segmentation

This paper presents a novel approach to segmentation of dermoscopic images based on wavelet transform where the approximation coefficients have been shown to be efficient in segmentation. The three novel frameworks proposed in this paper, W-FCM, W-CPSFCM, and WK-Means, have been employed in segmentation using ROC curve analysis to demonstrate sufficiently good results. The novel W-CPSFCM algorithm permits the detection of a number of clusters in automatic mode without the intervention of a specialist.
Impulsivity in borderline personality disorder

Background Impulsivity is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and is most frequently measured using self-rating scales. There is a need to find objective, valid and reliable measures of impulsivity. This study aimed to examine performance of participants with BPD compared with healthy controls on delay and probabilistic discounting tasks and the stop-signal task (SST), which are objective measures of choice and motor impulsivity, respectively. Method A total of 20 participants with BPD and 21 healthy control participants completed delay and probabilistic discounting tasks and the SST. They also completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), a self-rating measure of impulsivity. Results Participants with BPD showed significantly greater delay discounting than controls, manifest as a greater tendency to accept the immediately available lesser reward rather than waiting longer for a greater reward. Similarly they showed significantly greater discounting of rewards by the probability of payout, which correlated with past childhood trauma. Participants with BPD were found to choose the more certain and/or immediate rewards, irrespective of the value. On the SST the BPD and control groups did not differ significantly, demonstrating no difference in motor impulsivity. There was no significant difference between groups on self-reported impulsivity as measured by the BIS. Conclusions Measures of impulsivity show that while motor impulsivity was not significantly different in participants with BPD compared with controls, choice or reward-related impulsivity was significantly affected in those with BPD. This suggests that choice impulsivity but not motor impulsivity is a core feature of BPD.
Genetic Variants at 12p11 and 12q24 Are Associated with Breast Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Background A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified three new breast cancer susceptibility loci at 12p11, 12q24 and 21q21 in populations of European descent. However, because of the genetic heterogeneity, it is largely unknown for the role of these loci in the breast cancer susceptibility in the populations of non-European descent. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we genotyped three variants (rs10771399 at 12p11, rs1292011 at 12q24 and rs2823093 at 21q21) in an independent case–control study with a total of 1792 breast cancer cases and 1867 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population. We found that rs10771399 and rs1292011 were significantly associated with risk of breast cancer with per-allele odds ratios (ORs) of 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–0.96; P = 0.010) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.76–0.95; P = 4.50×10−3), respectively, which was consistent with those reported in populations of European descent. Similar effects were observed between ER/PR positive and negative breast cancer for both loci. However, we did not found significant association between rs2823093 and breast cancer risk (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.76–1.24; P = 0.795). Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that genetic variants at 12p11 and 12q24 may also play an important role in breast cancer development in Chinese women.
Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of substituted phenanthrenes from the roots of Combretum adenogonium Steud Ex A. Rich (Combretaceae)

Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate the bioactive compounds from the roots of Combretum adenogonium and assess for its antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Materials and Methods: The extract was obtained using 20% aqueous ethanol and further subjected to fractionation with 1:1 n-butanol/water. Chromatographic analyses of the n-butanol fraction led to the isolation of compounds (1-3). The compounds (1-3) were assayed for antibacterial activities using two-fold microdilution methods and cytotoxicity using brine shrimps lethality assay. Results: Following spectroscopic analyses the compounds were established as 2,3,8-trihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenanthrene (1a) and 2,3,8-trihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1β). Compound 2 was derived from 2,3,8-trihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenanthrene condensation with methyl acetate while Compound 3 was derived from 2,3,8-trihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene condensation with methyl propionate. These compounds (1-3) were active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimal inhibitory concentration-value of 0.16 mg/ml. The compounds (1-3) also exhibited significant toxicity with LC50 (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 12.11 (7.32-20.05) µg/ml compared to standard anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide which had LC50 (95% CI) value of 16.37 (12.01-22.31) µg/ml. Conclusion: These compounds add for a novel structure that can be synthesized, further screened for in vitro and in vivo models and clinical trials in order to evaluate its potential for further development as new anticancer agent.
Equal-diagonal QR decomposition and its application to precoder design for successive-cancellation detection

In multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) multiuser detection theory, the QR decomposition of the channel matrix H can be used to form the back-cancellation detector. In this paper, we propose an optimal QR decomposition, which we call the equal-diagonal QR decomposition, or briefly the QRS decomposition. We apply the decomposition to precoded successive-cancellation detection, where we assume that both the transmitter and the receiver have perfect channel knowledge. We show that, for any channel matrix H, there exists a unitary precoder matrix S, such that HS=QR, where the nonzero diagonal entries of the upper triangular matrix R in the QR decomposition of HS are all equal to each other. The precoder and the resulting successive-cancellation detector have the following properties. a) The minimum Euclidean distance between two signal points at the channel output is equal to the minimum Euclidean distance between two constellation points at the precoder input up to a multiplicative factor that equals the diagonal entry in the R-factor. b) The superchannel HS naturally exhibits an optimally ordered column permutation, i.e., the optimal detection order for the vertical Bell Labs layered space-time (V-BLAST) detector is the natural order. c) The precoder S minimizes the block error probability of the QR successive cancellation detector. d) A lower and an upper bound for the free distance at the channel output is expressible in terms of the diagonal entries of the R-factor in the QR decomposition of a channel matrix. e) The precoder S maximizes the lower bound of the channel's free distance subject to a power constraint. f) For the optimal precoder S, the performance of the QR detector is asymptotically (at large signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs)) equivalent to that of the maximum-likelihood detector (MLD) that uses the same precoder. Further, We consider two multiplexing schemes: time-division multiple access (TDMA) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). We d
Security Resources, Capabilities and Cultural Values: Links to Security Performance and Compliance

This study examines how security resources, capabilities, and cultural values influence security performance and perceived regulatory compliance. Using binomial and multinomial logit models, we analyze qualitative and quantitative survey data collected from 250 healthcare organizations. The results show that security resources and security capabilities are positively associated with compliance and security performance. Further, resources and capabilities complement each other, improving both compliance and performance. We also find that security audit capabilities are associated with increased breach disclosures, likely because such auditing helps organizations find, disclose and fix breach-related problems. In terms of cultural values, we find that top management support and expertise are significantly linked to compliance and security performance. Lastly, we find that collaborative cultures appear to foster compliance yet experience the same level of breaches. These results provide policy insight on effective security programs that harness resources, capabilities, and culture.
Impact of diabetes susceptibility loci on progression from prediabetes to diabetes in at-risk individuals of the DPT 1 trial

Section on Immunology and Immunogenetics, Joslin Diabetes Center, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 Address correspondence to: Diane Mathis and Christophe Benoist Section on Immunology and Immunogenetics Joslin Diabetes Center One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02214 email: cbdm@joslin.harvard. edu Received 11 December 2007 and accepted 5 June 2008. Additional information for this article can be found in an online appendix at http://diabetes.diabetesjournals. org
Part-Time Work in EU Countries: Labour Market Mobility, Entry and Exit

This paper looks at the role of part-time work in labour mobility for 11 European countries. We find some evidence of part-time work being used as a stepping stone into full-time employment, but for a small proportion of individuals (less than 5%). Part-time jobs are also found to be more frequently taken up as a means to enter the labour market than to leave it. Multinomial logit regression of the determinants of part-time work reveals household composition, past labour market history and country of residence as very important for both men and women in their decision to work part time. Random effects regression controlling for individual heterogeneity, and the comparison of results for Europe and the US, reveals that a significantly higher proportion of female workers in Europe prefer inactivity and a significantly lower percentage prefer full-time, over part-time employment, than in the US, with considerable variation across EU countries.