Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chlamydia in the Pacific Region, the Silent Epidemic

Background: Second generation surveillance of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women in 6 Pacific Island Countries and Territories were undertaken to improve knowledge and to make recommendations on future prevention and management of STIs. Methods: Cross-sectional studies, using standardized questionnaire, laboratory tests, and protocols were undertaken in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu between 2004 and 2005. For each country, between 200 and 350 pregnant women aged 15 to 44 years were consecutively recruited from antenatal clinics located in the main hospital of the major urban centre of each Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Consenting participants were interviewed about their socio-demographic characteristics and their sexual behavior, and were tested for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis (Treponema pallidum antibody seroactivity), and gonorrhoea. Results: Amongst the 1618 pregnant women studied, the most prevalent STI was chlamydia with 26.1% of women under 25 and 11.9% of women aged 25 years and over being positive. Highest infection was detected in single teenage women with 38.1% positive for chlamydia. The overall prevalence of gonorrhoea and syphilis was 1.7% and 3.4%, respectively. No case of HIV was detected. Chlamydia infection was independently associated with younger age, being nulliparous, single status, multiple lifetime sexual partners, and commercial sex activity. Conclusion: In a population of young women, chlamydia infection was endemic. Regional leadership is needed to implement strategies to prevent the spread of chlamydia and to implement HIV and STI prevention and management.
Exercise-induced arteriovenous intrapulmonary shunting in dogs.

RATIONALE We have previously shown, using contrast echocardiography, that intrapulmonary arteriovenous pathways are inducible in healthy humans during exercise; however, this technique does not allow for determination of arteriovenous vessel size or shunt magnitude. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether large-diameter (more than 25 microm) intrapulmonary arteriovenous pathways are present in the dog, and whether exercise recruits these conduits. METHODS Through the right forelimb, 10.8 million 25-microm stable isotope-labeled microspheres (BioPAL, Inc., Worcester, MA) were injected either at rest (n = 8) or during high-intensity exercise (6- 8 mph, 10-15% grade, n = 6). Systemic arterial blood was continuously sampled during and for 3 minutes after injection. After euthanasia, tissue samples were obtained from the heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. In addition, 25- and 50-microm microspheres were infused into four isolated dog lungs that were ventilated and perfused at constant pressures similar to exercise. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood and tissue samples were commercially analyzed for the presence of microspheres. No microspheres were detected in the arterial blood or tissue samples from resting dogs. In contrast, five of six exercising dogs showed evidence of exercise-induced intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting, as microspheres were detected in arterial blood and/or tissue. Furthermore, shunt magnitude was calculated to be 1.4 +/- 0.8% of cardiac output (n = 3). Evidence of intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses was also found in three of four isolated lungs. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with previous human findings, these data demonstrate that intrapulmonary arteriovenous pathways are functional in the dog and are recruited with exercise.
[Mortality risk estimation in cardiac surgery].

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the ability of three risk models to predict operative mortality after cardiac surgery. METHODS Risk factors of 3111 patients (73% male, mean age 65.2 +/- 10.7 years) were derived from our institutional database at the Cardiac Surgery Department of the G.M. Lancisi Hospital, Ancona, Italy. The predicted mortality was derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score (STS), the EuroSCORE (ES) and the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group score (NE). RESULTS The observed mortality in the myocardial revascularization population (1995 patients) was 2.2% (43 patients). The mean predicted mortality by STS, ES and NE was 1.9, 4.2 and 1.9%, respectively. The predictive ability of the models was measured by means of the ROC curve. Curves were respectively of 0.82, 0.77 and 0.78. CONCLUSIONS All tested models proved e good accuracy level but ES showed a constant overestimation of mortality at all risk levels.
Benchmarking Q-Learning Methods for Intelligent Network Orchestration in the Edge

We benchmark Q-learning methods, with various action selection strategies, in intelligent orchestration of the network edge. Q-learning is a reinforcement learning technique that aims to find optimal action policies by taking advantage of the experiences in the past without utilizing a model that describes the dynamics of the environment. With experiences, we refer to the observed causality between the action and the corresponding impact to the environment. In this paper, the environment for Q-learning is composed of virtualized networking resources along with their dynamics that are monitored with Spindump, an in-network latency measurement tool with support for QUIC and TCP. We optimize the orchestration of these networking resources by introducing Q-learning as part of the machine learning driven, intelligent orchestration that is applicable in the edge. Based on the benchmarking results, we identify which action selection strategies support network orchestration that provides low latency and packet loss by considering network resource allocation in the edge.
Multiple sexual partners: perceptions of young men in Uganda.

PURPOSE This study seeks to explore the perceptions of young men in Uganda regarding their sexual behaviour, which is normally understood as "high risk" in terms of HIV/AIDS. Specifically, the paper aims to look at the practice of engaging with multiple sexual partners (MSP). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Six 15-19 year old school-going young men in rural Uganda played an attribute-ranking game, wrote personal stories and acted in small dramas as part of the data collection. FINDINGS The participants of the study spoke about love and sex being important in a relationship, which is why they engaged in MSP, to maximise their experience of both. MSP also allowed the young men to gain pleasure, experience and control: three necessary and sought-after attributes inherent in their notion of masculinity. The features that challenged these three factors (i.e. money, manipulative girls, parental control), which threatened their ideals of masculinity, were identified by participants as the primary risks of MSP, rather than health threats. ORIGINALITY/APPROACH: A more open-minded and positive emphasis is needed regarding the use of condoms, where pleasure and issues of "manliness" are incorporated. By understanding the experiential views of young men, HIV/AIDS prevention programmes can be adapted accordingly to better reflect their lived realities.
Standard Error of Measurement of 5 Health Utility Indexes across the Range of Health for Use in Estimating Reliability and Responsiveness

Background. Standard errors of measurement (SEMs) of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) indexes are not well characterized. SEM is needed to estimate responsiveness statistics, and is a component of reliability. Purpose. To estimate the SEM of 5 HRQoL indexes. Design. The National Health Measurement Study (NHMS) was a population-based survey. The Clinical Outcomes and Measurement of Health Study (COMHS) provided repeated measures. Subjects. A total of 3844 randomly selected adults from the noninstitutionalized population aged 35 to 89 y in the contiguous United States and 265 cataract patients. Measurements. The SF6-36v2™, QWB-SA, EQ-5D, HUI2, and HUI3 were included. An item-response theory approach captured joint variation in indexes into a composite construct of health (theta). The authors estimated 1) the test-retest standard deviation (SEM-TR) from COMHS, 2) the structural standard deviation (SEM-S) around theta from NHMS, and 3) reliability coefficients. Results. SEM-TR was 0.068 (SF-6D), 0.087 (QWB-SA), 0.093 (EQ-5D), 0.100 (HUI2), and 0.134 (HUI3), whereas SEM-S was 0.071, 0.094, 0.084, 0.074, and 0.117, respectively. These yield reliability coefficients 0.66 (COMHS) and 0.71 (NHMS) for SF-6D, 0.59 and 0.64 for QWB-SA, 0.61 and 0.70 for EQ-5D, 0.64 and 0.80 for HUI2, and 0.75 and 0.77 for HUI3, respectively. The SEM varied across levels of health, especially for HUI2, HUI3, and EQ-5D, and was influenced by ceiling effects. Limitations. Repeated measures were 5 mo apart, and estimated theta contained measurement error. Conclusions. The 2 types of SEM are similar and substantial for all the indexes and vary across health.
DWT wavelet transform for the rotor bars faults detection in induction motor

The detection of broken rotor bars faults based on the analysis techniques, such as the fast Fourier transform (FFT), the accuracy of these technique depend on the loading conditions of the machine, and the ability to maintain a constant speed. To over come this problem, the analysis of the envelope of the transient starting-current waveform using the wavelet transform has been investigated. In this paper, a method for the diagnosis of rotor bar failures for the induction machine has been presented. It is based on the analysis of the stator current, using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) at the start-up electromagnetic torque. Using the simplified dynamic model taking account the faults of the squirrel cage induction motor and the discrete wavelet transform (DWT), in order to extract the different harmonics components of the stator currents. The performance presented by using of the DWT: its ability to provide a local representation of the non stationary current signals for the healthy machine and with fault (two adjacent broken rotor bars).
A proton camera array technology for direct extracellular ion imaging

The study of cellular function and response is essential for basic research and for applications in the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology. We have developed the first 256-pixel proton camera array for imaging the hydrogen ion activity of cells grown in vitro. The proton camera is an integrated sensor array technology, designed and fabricated in a standard commercial 0.35 mum complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. Each pixel uses a hydrogen ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) and has an area of 12.8 mum times 12.8 mum, leading to a total on-chip sensing area of 200 mum times 200 mum. After electrical matching, it is found that each ISFET pixel has a threshold voltage of -1 V with a convergence accuracy of less than 10 mV and a measured sensitivity of 46 mV/pH. A cell bioassay is performed to demonstrate that the proton camera array can successfully image changes in extracellular pH.
Expression and Contribution of Endogenous IL-13 in an Experimental Model of Sepsis1

IL-13 has been shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we elucidated the functional role of endogenous IL-13 in a murine model of septic peritonitis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Initial studies demonstrated that the level of IL-13 increased in tissues including liver, lung, and kidney, whereas no considerable increase was found in either peritoneal fluid or serum after CLP. Immunohistochemically, IL-13-positive cells were Kupffer cells in liver, alveolar macrophages in lung, and epithelial cells of urinary tubules in kidney. IL-13 blockade with anti-IL-13 Abs significantly decreased the survival rate of mice after CLP from 53% to 14% on day 7 compared with control. To determine the potential mechanisms whereby IL-13 exerted a protective role in this model, the effects of anti-IL-13 Abs on both local and systemic inflammation were investigated. Administration of anti-IL-13 Abs did not alter the leukocyte infiltration and bacterial load in the peritoneum after CLP but dramatically increased the neutrophil influx in tissues after CLP, an effect that was accompanied by significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Tissue injury caused by IL-13 blockade was associated with increases in mRNA and the protein levels of CXC chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and KC as well as the CC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Collectively, these results suggest that endogenous IL-13 protected mice from CLP-induced lethality by modulating inflammatory responses via suppression of overzealous production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in tissues.
The management of anaphylaxis in childhood: position paper of the European academy of allergology and clinical immunology

Anaphylaxis is a growing paediatric clinical emergency that is difficult to diagnose because a consensus definition was lacking until recently. Many European countries have no specific guidelines for anaphylaxis. This position paper prepared by the EAACI Taskforce on Anaphylaxis in Children aims to provide practical guidelines for managing anaphylaxis in childhood based on the limited evidence available. Intramuscular adrenaline is the acknowledged first‐line therapy for anaphylaxis, in hospital and in the community, and should be given as soon as the condition is recognized. Additional therapies such as volume support, nebulized bronchodilators, antihistamines or corticosteroids are supplementary to adrenaline. There are no absolute contraindications to administering adrenaline in children. Allergy assessment is mandatory in all children with a history of anaphylaxis because it is essential to identify and avoid the allergen to prevent its recurrence. A tailored anaphylaxis management plan is needed, based on an individual risk assessment, which is influenced by the child’s previous allergic reactions, other medical conditions and social circumstances. Collaborative partnerships should be established, involving school staff, healthcare professionals and patients’ organizations. Absolute indications for prescribing self‐injectable adrenaline are prior cardiorespiratory reactions, exercise‐induced anaphylaxis, idiopathic anaphylaxis and persistent asthma with food allergy. Relative indications include peanut or tree nut allergy, reactions to small quantities of a given food, food allergy in teenagers and living far away from a medical facility. The creation of national and European databases is expected to generate better‐quality data and help develop a stepwise approach for a better management of paediatric anaphylaxis.
Genome-wide and parental allele-specific analysis of CTCF and cohesin DNA binding in mouse brain reveals a tissue-specific binding pattern and an association with imprinted differentially methylated regions

DNA binding factors are essential for regulating gene expression. CTCF and cohesin are DNA binding factors with central roles in chromatin organization and gene expression. We determined the sites of CTCF and cohesin binding to DNA in mouse brain, genome wide and in an allele-specific manner with high read-depth ChIP-seq. By comparing our results with existing data for mouse liver and embryonic stem (ES) cells, we investigated the tissue specificity of CTCF binding sites. ES cells have fewer unique CTCF binding sites occupied than liver and brain, consistent with a ground-state pattern of CTCF binding that is elaborated during differentiation. CTCF binding sites without the canonical consensus motif were highly tissue specific. In brain, a third of CTCF and cohesin binding sites coincide, consistent with the potential for many interactions between cohesin and CTCF but also many instances of independent action. In the context of genomic imprinting, CTCF and/or cohesin bind to a majority but not all differentially methylated regions, with preferential binding to the unmethylated parental allele. Whether the parental allele-specific methylation was established in the parental germlines or post-fertilization in the embryo is not a determinant in CTCF or cohesin binding. These findings link CTCF and cohesin with the control regions of a subset of imprinted genes, supporting the notion that imprinting control is mechanistically diverse.
Emission of Electrically Small Radiating Sources from Tests Inside a TEM Cell

Currently there is considerable interest in developing a method to measure the radiated EM emissions and EM susceptibility of electronic equipment. Rectangular coaxial TEM cells developed at NBS for this purpose have been found to be quite satisfactory in establishing standard test field environment for such measurements. One must have a method to obtain the free space radiation characteristics of a test object from measurements taken inside such a cell. To do this we may consider a typical equipment under test (EUT) to consist of an electrically small box housing low frequency AC circuits. The current carrying conductors in each AC circuit may be replaced by equivalent electric/ magnetic dipoles with appropriate phases, and all such dipoles may be combined into a system consisting of three orthogonal electric and three orthogonal magnetic dipoles each excited with arbitrary phase.
Inspiratory muscle training for asthma.

BACKGROUND In moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease there is good evidence of a generalised loss of muscle bulk (including the respiratory muscles). It is possible that similar loss of respiratory muscle strength occur particularly in more severe asthma related in part to the effects of steroid therapy. Thus the respiratory muscle function may well be of relevance in asthma and if dysfunctional, may be a suitable target for training. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training with an external resistive device in patients with asthma. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2002), MEDLINE (January 1966 to March 2002), EMBASE (January 1985 to March 2002), CINAHL (to March 2002) and the UK National Research Register of trials (January 1982 to March 2002) and reference lists of articles. We also searched on line respiratory journals and contacted manufacturers of training devices to obtain trials. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised-controlled trials that involved the use of an external inspiratory muscle training device versus a control (sham or no inspiratory training device) were considered for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently selected articles for inclusion, evaluated methodological quality of the studies and abstracted data. MAIN RESULTS Five studies were included in the review with four of the studies being produced by the same group. PI(max) (maximum inspiratory pressure) reported in three studies with 76 patients showed significant improvement with inspiratory muscle training when compared to the control group (WMD 23.07 cmH(2)O, 95%CI 15.65 to 30.50). Unfortunately, due to the paucity of included studies and data no other outcome was reported by more than one study. Therefore it is not possible to confirm whether this increase seen with PI(max) translates into any measurable clinical benefit. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Currently there is insufficient evidence to suggest that inspiratory muscle training provides any clinical benefit to patients with asthma. Due to the limited availability of studies in this area there is a need for further trials evaluating the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training devices in patients with asthma. These studies should investigate asthmatics with a range of severity. They should investigate clinically relevant outcomes such as lung function, symptoms, exacerbation rate and concomitant medications.
When Compactness Meets Flexibility: Basic Coaxial SIW Filter Topology for Device Miniaturization, Design Flexibility, Advanced Filtering Responses, and Implementation of Tunable Filters

Substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology [1], [2] is a well established and successful approach for implementing planar microwave filters with very stringent requirements in terms of quality (Q) factor and also with the ability to integrate into a system. Optimized SIW filters can reach a Q factor of 200-800 using low-loss substrates and standard fabrication procedures [3]. Furthermore, packaging and electromagnetic (EM) shielding, power-handling capabilities, and low-cost batch manufacturing are other broadly recognized strengths of this approach. However, SIW filters are still larger than most of their planar counterparts; in addition, advanced topologies are not always easy to accommodate, and filter reconfigurability usually leads to very complex implementation [4]-[6].
Molecular and Phenotypic Analyses Reveal Association of Diverse Colletotrichum acutatum Groups and a Low Level of C. gloeosporioides with Olive Anthracnose

ABSTRACT Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) is an important disease causing major yield losses and poor oil quality in olives. The objectives were to determine the diversity and distribution pattern of Colletotrichum spp. populations prevalent in olives and their relatedness to anthracnose pathogens in other hosts, assess their pathogenic variability and host preference, and develop diagnostic tools. A total of 128 Colletotrichum spp. isolates representing all olive-growing areas in Portugal and a few isolates from other countries were characterized by molecular and phenotypic assays and compared with reference isolates. Arbitrarily primed PCR data, internal transcribed spacer of rRNA gene and β-tubulin 2 nucleotide sequences, colony characteristics, and benomyl sensitivity showed Colletotrichum acutatum to be dominant (>97%) with limited occurrence of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (<3%). Among C. acutatum populations, five molecular groups, A2 to A6, were identified. A2 was widely prevalent (89%), coinciding with a high incidence of anthracnose and environmental conditions suitable to disease spread. A4 was dominant in a particular region, while other C. acutatum groups and C. gloeosporioides were sporadic in their occurrence, mostly related to marginal areas of olive cultivation. C. gloeosporioides, isolated from olive fruits with symptoms indistinguishable from those of C. acutatum, showed same virulence rating as the most virulent C. acutatum isolate from group A2. C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides isolates tested in infected strawberry fruits and strawberry and lupin plants revealed their cross-infection potential. Diagnostic tools were developed from β-tubulin 2 sequences to enable rapid and reliable pathogen detection and differentiation of C. acutatum groups.