Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Passive haemagglutination test for antibodies against rabies virus.

All the procedures now available for the measurement of rabies virus antibodies in serum have certain disadvantages. The serum neutralization test (SN), whether carried out by assay in mice or by the plaque-reduction technique, requires several days before the titrations are completed, necessitates special facilities for keeping large numbers of animals and tissue-culture plates, and is relatively expensive. A complement-fixation test is very insensitive, giving low titres in comparison with SN tests, and a haemagglutination-inhibition procedure is complicated by the presence of nonspecific reactions. A rabies passive haemagglutination technique (RPHA), developed to overcome many of these problems, is described.Titres obtained with human sera by the RPHA procedure correlated well with those obtained by SN tests. Both IgG and IgM classes of antibodies were measured by the RPHA procedure; however, it appeared to be more sensitive for detecting IgM than was the SN test and, therefore, gave higher titres for this class of immunoglobulins.
Use of Body Surface Area for Assessing Extracellular Fluid Volume and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Obesity

Objective: To examine body surface area (BSA) for scaling extracellular fluid volume (ECV) in obesity. ECV varies less than glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a clinical population and was therefore used as a surrogate for GFR on the grounds that if BSA is unsuitable for scaling GFR, it will also be unsuitable for ECV. Methods: GFR was measured in 917 patients using 51Cr-EDTA. GFR scaled to ECV was measured exclusively from the slope rate constant. ECV was calculated as GFR divided by GFR/ECV. Results: BSA correlated strongly with body mass index (BMI). ECV correlated strongly with BSA but the intercept was significantly lower than zero, indicating a disproportionate relation. ECV/BSA correlated with BSA but not with BMI. ECV in obese subjects was significantly less than in non-obese subjects individually matched for BSA. ECV/BSA was similar between obese and lean subjects matched for GFR/ECV and height. Conclusions: For subjects of similar BSA, a high BMI decreases ECV (the ‘obesity effect’). Subjects with high BMI generally have high BSA, which tends to increase ECV/BSA because of the disproportionate relation between ECV and BSA (the ‘BSA effect’). These opposing effects serendipitously and erroneously create the impression that BSA is suitable for scaling ECV (and by implication, GFR) in obesity.
Response of the gullet to gastric reflux in patients with hiatus hernia and oesophagitis

The variability of reflux symptoms in patients with hiatus hernia is well known, and a poor correlation between the symptoms of oesophagitis and appearances at oesophagoscopy has been noted. A study has been made of the relationship between four variables. These are the acid reflux occurring in the oesophagus, the peristaltic clearance, the oesophagitis present and the symptoms from which the patients are suffering. Symptoms were found only in patients with oesophageal pH levels below 4. However, such acid levels could occur in the absence of significant symptoms and there was a poor correlation between symptoms and various levels of pH below this. Poor motor function in the oesophagus was associated with poor clearance of acid from it. Patients with poor clearance show a greater tendency to have oesophagitis, but, despite this correlation, in the group as a whole, there was no clear relationship between the results of the tests and the severity of symptoms.
Modeling and Forecasting Volatility in Indian Capital Markets

Various volatility estimators and models have been proposed in the literature to measure volatility of asset returns. In this paper, we compare empirical performance of various unconditional volatility estimators and conditional volatility models (GARCH and EGARCH) using time-series data of S&PCNX Nifty, a value-weighted index of 50 stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Mumbai. The estimates computed by various estimators and conditional volatility models over non-overlapping one-day, five-day and one-month periods are compared with the “realized volatility” measured over the same period. We use three years’ (1999-2001) high-frequency data set of five-minute returns to construct measures of realized volatility. In order to test the ability of the estimators and models to forecast volatility, we compare the estimates of unconditional estimators with the realized volatility measured in the next period of same length. For conditional volatility models, the forecasts for the same periods are obtained by estimating models from the time-series prior to the forecast period. Our results indicate that while conditional volatility models provide less biased estimates, extreme-value estimators are more efficient estimators of realized volatility. As far as forecasting ability of models and estimators is concerned, conditional volatility models fare extremely poorly in forecasting five-day (weekly) or monthly realized volatility. In contrast, extreme-value estimators, other than the Parkinson estimator, perform relatively well in forecasting volatility over these horizons.
Intravenous Thrombolysis Based on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Mismatch in Acute Stroke Patients with Unknown Onset Time

Background and Purpose: Patients with unknown onset time would be able to receive intravenous thrombolysis when showing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch. Methods: Consecutive acute stroke patients with unknown onset time were prospectively enrolled. We defined patients as having unknown onset time when the last known normal time (LNT) was not consistent with the first found abnormal time (FAT). Only patients with anterior-circulation stroke and presence of arterial lesion were enrolled. Intravenous thrombolysis was conducted within 3 h from FAT if the patient showed DWI/FLAIR mismatch. Results: From June 2009 to May 2010, 10 patients [median age, 84 years (interquartile range, IQR, 64–90); National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, 14 (IQR, 9–19)] were enrolled. Subjects included 4 patients who developed stroke during sleep, 5 with disturbance of consciousness, and 1 with aphasia. Median interval between LNT and thrombolysis was 5.6 h (IQR, 4.5–9.8) and median interval between FAT and thrombolysis was 2.5 h (IQR, 2.1–2.8). Three patients had internal carotid artery occlusion, 5 had M1 occlusion, and 2 had M2 occlusion. Early recanalization within 24 h was seen in 7 patients (complete recanalization, n = 4; partial recanalization, n = 3). No patients experienced symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage within 48 h. At day 7, 5 patients showed dramatic recovery (defined as ≧10-point reduction in total NIHSS score or score of 0 or 1). At 3 months, favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score, 0–2) was seen in 4 patients. Conclusion: Acute stroke patients with DWI/FLAIR mismatch may be able to safely receive intravenous thrombolysis.
Relationships of swarm intelligence and artificial immune system

Swarm intelligence SI and artificial immune system AIS are both derived from imitation of nature biology system. Their common characteristic is that they both have simple individuals but appear emergence characteristic in population level through interaction among individuals. In order to explore inherent similarity and difference of complex system, we take two typical forms of swarm intelligence ant colony system and particle swarm optimisation, and AIS as objectives to study this characteristic in this paper. First, we discuss the similarity between two biology systems from system structure and operation mechanism. In addition, we also illustrate the difference between two systems from algorithm design, individual diversity and shape space. At the end of the paper, numerical experiment is used to test the performance of swarm intelligence techniques and AIS, where benchmark test functions include unimodal and multimodal function optimisation problems. Besides, combined with a concrete example, travelling salesman problem TSP, the generality and feature of these two systems in solving complex problems are discussed in detail. The objective of the paper is to set up inherent connection and difference between two unlike systems, which not only has important theoretical significance but also has significant actual value to reveal production and operation mechanism of human intelligence.
A Six‐Year Longitudinal Study of Undergraduate Women in Engineering and Science *

In 1991, the Women in Engineering (WIE) Initiative at the University of Washington was funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to conduct a longitudinal study of undergraduate women pursuing degrees in science or engineering. Cohorts of approximately 100 students have been added to the study each year, for a current total of 672 participants. The objectives are: (a) to determine an accurate measure of retention by tracking individual students through their science and engineering academic careers; (b) to examine factors affecting retention of women in science and engineering; and (c) to evaluate the effectiveness of WIE's programs targeted at increasing enrollment and retention of women in science and engineering. These programs include interventions primarily during the freshman and sophomore years, which are critical attrition points. The results of this study are reported annually to the Dean of Engineering and related departments for consideration in policy formulation. Annual results of the study have shown consistent patterns of persistence factors and barriers for these high‐achieving women; most notably a significant drop in academic self‐confidence during their freshman year in college. In addition, individual tracking of these women has shown a retention that is much higher than the estimated national average for engineering and science students.
Mutations in a Conserved Residue in the Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Active Site Decreases Sensitivity to Neu5Ac2en-Derived Inhibitors

ABSTRACT The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA)-specific inhibitor zanamivir (4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en) is effective in humans when administered topically within the respiratory tract. The search for compounds with altered pharmacological properties has led to the identification of a novel series of influenza virus NA inhibitors in which the triol group of zanamivir has been replaced by a hydrophobic group linked by a carboxamide at the 6 position (6-carboxamide). NWS/G70C variants generated in vitro, with decreased sensitivity to 6-carboxamide, contained hemagglutinin (HA) and/or NA mutations. HA mutants bound with a decreased efficiency to the cellular receptor and were cross-resistant to all the NA inhibitors tested. The NA mutation, an Arg-to-Lys mutation, was in a previously conserved site, Arg292, which forms part of a triarginyl cluster in the catalytic site. In enzyme assays, the NA was equally resistant to zanamivir and 4-amino-Neu5Ac2en but showed greater resistance to 6-carboxamide and was most resistant to a new carbocyclic NA inhibitor, GS4071, which also has a hydrophobic side chain at the 6 position. Consistent with enzyme assays, the lowest resistance in cell culture was seen to zanamivir, more resistance was seen to 6-carboxamide, and the greatest resistance was seen to GS4071. Substrate binding and enzyme activity were also decreased in the mutant, and consequently, virus replication in both plaque assays and liquid culture was compromised. Altered binding of the hydrophobic side chain at the 6 position or the triol group could account for the decreased binding of both the NA inhibitors and substrate.
Sampling and Counting Contingency Tables Using Markov Chains

In this paper we present an overview of contingency tables, provide an introduction to the problems of almost uniform sampling and approximate counting, and show recent results achieved through the use of Markov chains. We focus specifically on contingency tables with two rows, since as of this time little progress has been made in achieving reasonable bounds on arbitrarily sized contingency tables.
A high output power density 400/400V isolated DC/DC converter with hybrid pair of SJ-MOSFET and SiC-SBD for power supply of data center

In this paper, a design of high output power density 400/400V isolated dc/dc converter for power supply in data center is discussed. The isolated DC/DC converter uses the hybrid pair of SJ-MOSFET and SiC-SBD power devices. A high accuracy of DC/DC converter analysis is carried out by considering the intrinsic and extrinsic loss parameter of power devices and circuit board. Based on this analysis, the efficiency and power density of isolated DC/DC converter are estimated for various high switching frequencies (100 kHz, 200 kHz and 300 kHz) and various junction temperatures of power switching devices (125°C and 150°C). The analysis estimates that the isolated DC/DC converter with efficiency around 97% and power density equal to or larger than 10 W/cm3 is possible to be realized. To verify the estimation results, 10-W/cm3 class power density of 5kW isolated DC/DC converter is fabricated and current results are shown in this paper.
Prevalence and characteristics of moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis with and without interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and characteristics of moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with and without interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS We retrospectively studied clinical and functional characteristics of 197 consecutive patients with SSc who had undergone a screening echocardiography to detect PH. RESULTS Moderate to severe PH was suspected in 36 patients (18.3%) and confirmed in 32 who underwent right heart catheterization. The prevalence of PH did not differ between patients with limited and patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc. PH was detected in 12/67 (17.9%) patients without ILD vs 24/110 (21.8%) patients with ILD (p not significant). In patients with ILD, a lower PaO2 appeared as the unique independent factor significantly associated with PH, regardless of the extent of fibrosis. In 3 patients out of 9 (33.3%) with ILD and significantly restrictive disease, PH was out of proportion to the degree of fibrosis. In patients with no ILD, a higher grade of dyspnea appeared as the unique independent factor associated with PH. In patients with no ILD, altered DLCO was the sole indicator of the pulmonary function tests associated with PH (best cutoff value 72%). DLCO correlated with systolic pulmonary arterial pressure only in patients with no ILD. CONCLUSION Prevalence of moderate to severe PH was similar in SSc patients with and those without ILD. In patients with ILD, a lower PaO2 was the unique independent indicator associated with PH. In some patients with severe ILD, PH was out of proportion to the degree of fibrosis. A linear correlation between DLCO and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was observed only in patients without ILD. All these indicators should assist identification of patients with or without ILD requiring diagnostic procedures for PH before annual screening.
Nitrogen and calcium additions increase forest growth in northeastern USA spruce–fir forests

We determined responses of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) – balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. ) forests to 6 years of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and N + Ca treatments (100, 160, and 260 kg·ha–1·year–1 of N, Ca, and N + Ca, respectively) in New York (NY) and New Hampshire (NH). Forest responses to Ca treatments were also determined in Vermont (VT). Nitrogen treatments increased aboveground net primary production (ANPP) by 33% and 25% above controls in NY and NH, respectively. Similarly, N + Ca treatments increased ANPP by 27% and 28% in NY and NH, respectively. Calcium treatments increased ANPP by 25% and 21% above controls in NY and VT. Calcium treatment did not increase ANPP in NH, suggesting N, but not Ca limitation. Leaf-litter quantity and quality, and soil C and N storage were greater in treated than in control plots. Fine-root mass and production did not differ among treatments. Trees, therefore, assimilated more soil nutrients without increasing root growth in treated plots. Red spruce ANPP, h.
Hormones and hemodynamics in heart failure.

Heart failure is a major cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, resulting in more than 1 million hospitalizations per year, and is the most common hospital-discharge diagnosis among patients older than 65 years.1 In recent years, much has been learned about the pathophysiology of heart failure, particularly in the area of fluid and electrolyte metabolism, and this will be the focus of the present review. Regulation of Body-Fluid Volume There is considerable evidence in support of a unifying hypothesis of the regulation of body-fluid volume that is applicable to patients with edematous disorders such as cardiac failure, to patients with .
Opposing environmental gradients govern vegetation zonation in an intermountain playa

Vegetation zonation was investigated at an intermountain playa wetland (Mishak Lakes) in the San Luis Valley (SLV) of southern Colorado. Plant composition and abiotic conditions were quantified in six vegetation zones. Reciprocal transplants were performed to test the importance of abiotic factors in governing zonation. Abiotic conditions differed among several vegetation zones. Prolonged inundation led to anaerobic soils in the Eleocharis palustris and the submerged aquatics zones, on the low end of the site’s 1.25 m elevation gradient. On the high end of the gradient, soil salinity and sodicity (a measure of exchangeable sodium) were high in the Distichlis spicata zone (electrical conductivity, EC = 5.3 dS/m, sodium absorption ratio, SAR = 44.0) and extreme in the Sarcobatus vermiculatus zone (EC = 21 dS/m, SAR = 274). Transplanted species produced maximum biomass in the zone where they originated, not in any other higher or lower vegetation zone. The greatest overall transplant effect occurred for E. palustris, which experienced a ≥77% decline in productivity when transplanted to other zones. This study provides evidence that physical factors are a major determinant of vegetation zone composition and distribution across the entire elevation gradient at Mishak Lakes. Patterns at Mishak Lakes arise from counter-directional stress gradients: a gradient from anaerobic to well-oxygenated from basin bottom to upland and a gradient from extremely high salinity to low salinity in the opposing direction. Because abiotic conditions dominate vegetation zonation, restoration of the altered hydrologic regime of this wetland to a natural hydrologic regime may be sufficient to re-establish many of the natural biodiversity functions provided by these wetlands.
The family as a system

A family doctor is in an ideal position to anticipate stresses and illness, to diagnose physical and psychosocial problems early, and to understand the patient with the illness, over time. He or she does this much better if he knows the family and uses the family as an ally in treatment. The old family doctor knew this and learnt this skill over the years. We have used family systems theory, borrowed from the family therapists, to clarify and systematize that old commonsense approach to the family facing illness (Christie-Seely 1984). There is considerable evidence to support a family orientation. A doctor who 'thinks systems' will be a better diagnostician and therapist of physical illness as well as of psychosocial problems. This research on the family and illness will be presented later. A family doctor is not a family therapist. A family orientation implies working with the family, as it is, for better health care. We have no mandate to change a family system, nor does the doctor usually have that skill, which takes 3 or 4 years of training to acquire. A family orientation means 'thinking systems'. What does that mean? It is essentially an entirely new way of thinking about people and about illness and takes time to acquire. I suspect it will be a commonplace of the future in medicine, paralleling similar cybernetic or systems revolutions in physics and ecology, which no longer think as we still do in medicine in linear-cause-+effect terms. A short cut to understanding systems thinking for the doctor is to recognize the parallel with physiology. A cell is a system, in that it is a unitary whole with a boundary, through which it communicates with the outside system (tissue), and has a central organizing body (the nucleus). These same systems principles apply to all living organisms and levels of organization, each system lying within the next higher level in the hierarchy of systems as shown in Figure 1 (Brody 1973). A family doctor is familiar with systems principles at several of these levels. We already think systems when, for example, treating the endocrine system. A family from my practice (Figure 2) shows the parallels. Four principles that are familiar in endocrinology are applied to this family:
Auction Meets Queuing: Information-Driven Data Purchasing in Stochastic Mobile Crowd Sensing

The pervasiveness of mobile phones and the increasing sensing capabilities of their built-in sensors have made mobile crowd sensing (MCS) a promising approach for large-scale event detection and collective knowledge formation. In a typical MCS system, the crowdsourcer purchases sensing data from some mobile phone users (i.e., contributors) and sells it to consumers for revenue. This kind of sensing data exchange has its unique challenges in practical MCS systems. On one hand, the crowdsourcer wants to maximize the information utility to get the most revenue under heterogeneous requests from the consumers while offering incentives to strategic contributors. On the other hand, the contributors need to make optimal real-time sensing and data selling decisions by considering their real-time sensing cost and quality of information, in order to maximize their own profit. In this paper, we propose a novel Information-driven Data Auction (IDA) scheme for data exchange in practical stochastic MCS systems, which offers optimal strategies for both the crowdsourcer and the contributors. By applying stochastic Lyapunov optimization and mechanism design theory, IDA is able to achieve a near-optimal time-averaged system-wide utility, while offering incentives to the contributors. Moreover, IDA achieves favourable economic properties including truthfulness, individual rationality, and budget balance. We demonstrate the efficacy of IDA through rigorous theoretical analysis and comprehensive simulations.