Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalizability of the results of efficacy trials in first-episode schizophrenia: comparisons between subgroups of participants of the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial (EUFEST).

OBJECTIVE Most randomized drug trials in schizophrenia exclude patients with comorbidities such as suicidality or substance use, which may limit the generalizability of the results. We aimed to evaluate the generalizability of the results of these trials in participants of a randomized clinical trial with broad inclusion criteria. METHOD In 50 sites in 14 countries, 498 patients with first-episode psychosis (DSM-IV schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder) were recruited between December 2002 and January 2006 in an open, randomized clinical drug trial with 12 months of follow-up. Baseline characteristics and follow-up data were compared between patients with versus patients without baseline suicidality and/or substance use. RESULTS Of the 489 participants with data on baseline suicidality and substance use, 153 (31%) patients were suicidal and/or using substances. Groups differed on only a few of the many baseline characteristics tested: comorbid patients were younger (25.1 vs 26.5 years of age; P < .01), less often female (25% vs 47%; P < .001) or married (4% vs 17%; P < .001), had fewer years of education (11.8 vs 12.8; P < .001), and experienced lower levels of overall psychosocial functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning; 38.4 vs 40.8; P <or= .05) and higher levels of depression (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia; 6.1 vs 4.6; P < .001). At follow-up, comorbid patients showed shorter time to (re)hospitalization and reported higher levels of depression than patients without comorbidity (hazard ratio = 2.02, P = .004; chi(2)(7) = 17.25, P = . 016, respectively), without differences on other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS Although it appears that the generalizability of antipsychotic treatment trials in first-episode patients is not seriously affected by the exclusion of patients with suicidal symptoms and/or substance use, researchers should be cautious about the exclusion of such patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION controlled-trials.com Identifier: ISRCTN68736636.
Drug delivery technologies for autoimmune disease

Importance of the field: Targeting autoimmune disease poses two main challenges. The first is to identify unique targets to suppress directly or indirectly autoreactive cells exclusively. The second is to penetrate target tissues to deliver specifically drugs to desired cells that can achieve a therapeutic outcome. Areas covered in this review: Herein, the range of drug delivery methods available and under development and how they can be useful to treat autoimmune diseases are discussed. Polymer delivery methods, as well as biological methods that include fusion proteins, targeted antibodies, recombinant viruses and cell products are compared. What the reader will gain: Readers will gain insight into the progression of clinical trials for different technologies and drug delivery methods useful for targeting and modulating the function of autoreactive immune cells. Take home message: Several tissue-specific polymer-based and biologic drug delivery systems are now in Phase II/III clinical trials. Although these trials are focused mainly on cancer treatment, lessons from these trials can guide the use of the same agents for autoimmunity therapeutics.
Efficient storage management for aged file systems on persistent memory

Emerging persistent memories (PMs) provide both byte addressability as DRAM and persistency as conventional storage technologies. Recent work on persistent memory file systems, such as BPFS, PMFS, have gained better performance by leveraging the dual characteristics. However, we observe that persistent memory file systems experience dramatic performance degradation over a long run. This phenomenon is referred to as file system aging. We find that the performance degradation is attributed to the inefficiency of storage management for both file space and dentry space. We also find that persistent memories wear out more quickly as file system ages. To address such issues, we propose SanGuo, a novel scatter-gather storage management mechanism for aged file systems on persistent memory. SanGuo consists of two key techniques. First, Scatter-alloc maximizes the efficiency and performance of file allocation while providing wear-leveling. Second, Gather-free accelerates the dentry operations, including dentry allocation, lookup and reclaim, especially for a directory file containing a large number of dentries. Experimental results show that SanGuo performs better wear-leveling while providing significant performance speed up (e.g., up to 10.33×, 8.9× respectively for Webproxy and Varmail workloads).
High-Frequency Common-Mode Modeling of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

In this paper, a model for permanent magnet synchronous motors to deal with high-frequency emissions from an inverter system is proposed and analyzed. The model permits study of the common-mode (CM) effects on the motor line currents. The experimental measurements show that the CM stray capacitors are not affected by rotor magnet positions. The simulated and experimental results show that the CM currents increase with decreasing sampling time.
Structural basis of inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DprE 1 by benzothiazinone inhibitors

• Users may freely distribute the URL that is used to identify this publication. • Users may download and/or print one copy of the publication from the University of Birmingham research portal for the purpose of private study or non-commercial research. • User may use extracts from the document in line with the concept of ‘fair dealing’ under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (? ) • Users may not further distribute the material nor use it for the purposes of commercial gain.
Off-the-Shelf and Flexible Hybrid Frequency and Time Domain Experimental Architecture Setup for Electrochemical Energy Modules Testing Under Realistic Operating Conditions

This paper proposes a standard and flexible test bench architecture for the testing and modeling of electrochemical energy modules. It also presents a comprehensive methodology that enables to obtain accurate models under realistic operating conditions with a low computational cost. For this purpose, three different configuration modes of the experimental architecture setup are introduced. Finally, the test bench architecture and the experimental methodology proposed have been validated by the modeling and testing of a Li-ion battery pack and a supercapacitor module.
Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus cell surface adhesins using flow cytometry.

The initiation of many infectious diseases involves specific adhesion of bacteria to host tissue proteins and carbohydrates. Staphylococcus aureus is known to bind specifically to several proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM). We report the quantification of the collagen and fibronectin adhesin densities on the staphylococcal surface using flow cytometry. Our results are in agreement with previous reports on the transcription of the respective genes and demonstrate different patterns of temporal expression for the two adhesins in the strains studied. We demonstrate a convenient technique for quantification of bacterial adhesins that can be used in studies aimed at characterization of bacterial adhesion to ECM components and understanding expression of adhesins during the course of an infection.
Myocardial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance and hepatitis C virus infection in thalassemia major patients

Aims Our aim was to evaluate the correlation between myocardial fibrosis detected using the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technique and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in a large, retrospective, multicentre cohort of thalassemia major patients. Methods LGE images were acquired in 434 thalassemia major patients (233 men, 31 ± 9 years) enrolled in the MIOT (Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia) study. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA tests were sensitive to detect more than 50 copies/ml. Results No patient manifested moderate/severe adverse events associated with the use of Gadobutrol. Myocardial fibrosis was detected in 90 (21%) patients. Among the 312 patients tested for HCV-RNA, there was a significant correlation between the presence of myocardial fibrosis and CHC (P = 0.011). Among the 62 patients with myocardial fibrosis tested for HCV-RNA, we found a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus in CHC patients versus the no-CHC patients (P = 0.049). Conclusion Our findings support the use of the LGE CMR approach well tolerated in the thalassemia major patients with CHC. HCV infection can be involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis through both myocarditis directly and the pancreas and liver damage with the development of diabetes indirectly. These patients could therefore benefit from cardioactive drugs and therapeutic interventions directed towards the eradication of virus.
Chaos synchronization based on unknown input proportional multiple-integral fuzzy observer

This paper presents an unknown input Proportional Multiple-Integral Observer (PIO) for synchronization of chaotic systems based on Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy chaotic models subject to unmeasurable decision variables and unknown input. In a secure communication configuration, this unknown input is regarded as a message encoded in the chaotic system and recovered by the proposed PIO. Both states and outputs of the fuzzy chaotic models are subject to polynomial unknown input with kth derivative zero. Using Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient design conditions for synchronization are proposed. The PIO gains matrices are obtained by resolving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) constraints. Simulation results show through two TS fuzzy chaotic models the validity of the proposed method.
3D Image Formation in Transmitted Partially Coherent and Incoherent Light Applied to Dimensional Inspection

The peculiarities of 3D objects image formation with clear shadow projection under their illumination by partially coherent and perfectly incoherent light based on the constructive theory of 3D objects formation are investigated. Threshold algorithms for determining the position of 3D object geometric boundary, taking into account its thickness, the light source angular size and the projection system angular aperture are developed. These algorithms are based on the application of true (calculated) threshold or standard one using the corrective component for threshold. The cases of weak and strong 3D object volumetricity for partially coherent and incoherent illumination are studied. The analytical equations for these algorithms are given. It has been shown that their use can significantly improve the measurement accuracy of extended objects.
Measures for Quantitative Process-Tracing Methods

To know the decision strategy and the underlying information acquisition behavior of a person is essential for the design of computer programs that support managerial and consumer decision making. Both quantitative methods (e.g. computer-assisted process-tracing systems) and qualitative methods (e.g. verbal protocols) are used to investigate information acquisition behavior of managers and consumers, respectively, and to detect their decision strategies. This article presents measures that allow for the detection of important decision strategies—that is, one is able to distinguish decision strategies from each other. The presented measures are the methodological basis of widely used quantitative process-tracing methods such as computerized process-tracing (CPT) tools or eye-tracking systems. The article concludes that the measures and their application within CPT tools or eye-tracking systems constitute the basic foundation of an emerging research field called clickstream analysis, which is a method to investigate human decision processes by analyzing computer log files.
Fostering creative thinking : the role of primary teachers

Kampylis, Panagiotis Fostering creative thinking – The role of primary teachers Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2009, 136 p. (Jyväskylä Studies in Computing ISSN 1456-5390; 115) ISBN 978-951-39-3940-3 (PDF), 978-951-39-3932-8 (nid.) Finnish summary: Luovaa ajattelua kehittämässä Alakoulun opettajien rooli Greek summary: -
Decision Analysis of Treatment Strategies in Children With Severe Sickle Cell Disease

We designed a decision analysis model comparing 4 treatment strategies for severe sickle cell disease: no intervention, hydroxyurea (HU), chronic transfusion, or stem cell transplant (SCT). The treatment strategy associated with the highest average utility (quality of life) was SCT (0.85). Average utilities for no treatment, chronic transfusion, and HU were 0.68, 0.71, and 0.80, respectively. Our model was quite sensitive to quality-of-life estimates, indicating that a true comparison of HU and transplantation cannot occur until investigators directly measure the health-related quality of life in children with sickle cell disease during HU therapy and after SCT.
Examining gender differences in received, provided, and invisible social control: an application of the dual-effects model

The dual-effects model of social control not only assumes that social control leads to better health practices but also arouses psychological distress. However, findings are inconsistent. The present study advances the current literature by examining social control from a dyadic perspective in the context of smoking. In addition, the study examines whether control, continuous smoking abstinence, and affect are differentially related for men and women. Before and three weeks after a self-set quit attempt, we examined 106 smokers (77 men, mean age: 40.67, average number of cigarettes smoked per day: 16.59 [SD = 8.52, range = 1–40] at baseline and 5.27 [SD = 6.97, range = 0–40] at follow-up) and their nonsmoking heterosexual partners, assessing received and provided control, continuous abstinence, and affect. With regard to smoker's affective reactions, partner's provided control was related to an increase in positive and to a decrease in negative affect, but only for female smokers. Moreover, the greater the discrepancy between smoker received and partner's provided control was the more positive affect increased and the more negative affect decreased, but again only for female smokers. These findings demonstrate that female smokers' well-being was raised over time if they were not aware of the control attempts of their nonsmoking partners, indicating positive effects of invisible social control. This study's results emphasize the importance of applying a dyadic perspective and taking gender differences in the dual-effects model of social control into account.
The Role of VAMP7/TI‐VAMP in Cell Polarity and Lysosomal Exocytosis in vivo

VAMP7 or tetanus neurotoxin‐insensitive vesicle‐ associated membrane protein (TI‐VAMP) has been proposed to regulate apical transport in polarized epithelial cells, axonal transport in neurons and lysosomal exocytosis. To investigate the function of VAMP7 in vivo, we generated VAMP7 knockout mice. Here, we show that VAMP7 knockout mice are indistinguishable from control mice and display a similar localization of apical proteins in the kidney and small intestine and a similar localization of axonal proteins in the nervous system. Neurite outgrowth of cultured mutant hippocampal neurons was reduced in mutant neurons. However, lysosomal exocytosis was not affected in mutant fibroblasts. Our results show that VAMP7 is required in neurons to extend axons to the full extent. However, VAMP7 does not seem to be required for epithelial cell polarity and lysosomal exocytosis.
Ultrasonographic differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic liver cancer

Ultrasonographic features of tumor nodules in 64 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 87 with metastatic liver cancer were analyzed for differential diagnosis. Sonographic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma were the mosaic, posterior echo enhancement, and lateral shadow patterns, which were rarely observed in metastatic liver cancers. Small hepatocellular carcinomas, less than 3 cm in diameter, showed a hypoechoic pattern. Metastatic liver cancers originating from the gastrointestinal tract were frequently hyperechoic irrespective of their size and the bull's‐eye‐like pattern was specific for metastases from the lung. These results indicate that ultrasonography is useful for the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Genetic and Inherited Diseases Partial Loss of Epithelial Phenotype in Kindlin-1 – Deficient Keratinocytes

Kindlin-1 is an adaptor protein that is expressed by most epithelial cells and has been implicated in integrin bidirectional signaling. Mutations in the gene encoding kindlin-1 are associated with Kindler syndrome, a recessively inherited disorder that is characterized by fragile skin. Functionally, a loss of kindlin-1 impairs the adhesion of basal keratinocytes to the extracellular matrix both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we show that the phenotype of mutant keratinocytes deficient in kindlin-1 is characterized by the modification of the cortical actin network and increased plasticity of the plasma membrane. At the molecular level, expression of several proteins associated with an epithelial phenotype, such as 6 4 integrin, collagen XVII, E-cadherin, and desmoglein-3, is strongly reduced, whereas, surprisingly, laminin 332 is synthesized in larger amounts than in control keratinocytes. In contrast, mesenchymal markers such as vimentin and fibronectin are increased in keratinocytes lacking kindlin-1. The switch in cell plasticity and protein expression was confirmed by siRNA-mediated down-regulation of kindlin-1 in HaCaT epithelial cells. Furthermore, there was upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines in kindlin-1–deficient keratinocytes. These results provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms that take place in Kindler syndrome. Moreover, the constellation of molecular defects associated with the loss of kindlin-1 may explain the higher incidence of skin cancer observed in patients affected with this disorder. (Am J Pathol 2012, 180:1581–1592; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.01.005)
Electroosmotic impulsion device for integration in PCB-MEMS

This paper presents the design and fabrication process of a microfluidic pump based on the electroosmotic effect, and demonstrates its working. The device is fabricated using a combination of standard PCB processing and SU-8 photolithography, using Flame Retardant 4 (FR4) as substrate, SU-8 as structural material to construct the microchannels and chambers, and copper to built the lines for the electrical connections. The fabrication materials provide an inexpensive device. The proposed pump is intended to be included in SU-8 microfluidic portable platforms as an impulsion device which provides a continuous flow rate. Preliminary experimental results show an electroosmotic effect at 60 V, providing a flow rate of 1 μL/min.
Testing Local Independence between Two Point Processes

Summary. Dependencies between two types of points in a spatial point process can be due either to a real dependence between the two types or to the dependence on common underlying variables. We propose a global test for dependence between two point processes that is valid for a wide range of models. In contrast with previously proposed methods, it is based on a number of local test statistics, which makes it possible to map the local association between the two processes. The behavior of the test is evaluated by a simulation study. It is then applied to a vegetation pattern data set from Burkina Faso.
Long-Segment SFA Stenting—The Dark Sides: In-Stent Restenosis, Clinical Deterioration, and Stent Fractures

Purpose: To determine and compare the rates of in-stent restenosis, late clinical deterioration, and stent fractures in nitinol stents versus Wallstents implanted for suboptimal angioplasty in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Methods: Interrogation of an angioplasty database identified 286 consecutive patients (178 men; mean age 67±10 years, range 44–87) with severe claudication (n=254) or critical limb ischemia (n=32) who had stents implanted after suboptimal angioplasty over a 5-year period. Wallstents with a mean stented lesion length of 107±71 mm were implanted in 116 patients, while nitinol stents were used in 170 patients: 45 SMART stents (mean stented lesion length 139±88 mm) and 125 Dynalink/Absolute stents (mean stented lesion length 125±84 mm). Patients were followed for in-stent restenosis (>50%) by duplex ultrasound, clinical deterioration by at least 1 Fontaine stage compared to baseline, and stent fractures by biplanar radiography. Results: In-stent restenosis rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 46%, 66%, and 72% for Wallstents compared to 20%, 36%, and 53% for nitinol stents (p < 0.001), respectively, without significant difference between the 2 nitinol stent groups (p=0.59). Clinical deterioration at 1, 2, and 3 years was found in 10%, 15%, and 18% with Wallstents versus 4%, 5%, and 5% with nitinol stents (p=0.014), respectively, without difference between the 2 nitinol stent groups (p=0.47). Fracture rates were 19% for Wallstents after a mean 43±24 months, 28% for SMART stents after mean 32±16 months, and 2% for Dynalink/Absolute stents after a mean 15±9 months. Conclusions: Intermediate-term in-stent restenosis remains a major problem even with current nitinol stent technology; however, clinical deterioration seems no matter of serious concern with SMART and Dynalink/Absolute stents. Stent fractures may be lower with Dynalink/Absolute stents, but randomized head-to-head comparisons are needed to validate these data.
Explanation and analysis of oil-paper insulation based on frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy

In this paper, to effectively distinguish between the aging and moisture of oil-immersed paper (OIP), and to enhance the accuracy of the nondestructive diagnosis of the insulating state for oil-paper insulation, we perform an in-depth study of the frequencydomain dielectric response theory. First, we present a theoretical explanation for frequency-domain spectroscopy (FDS) based on investigations into the mechanism and characteristics of conductivity loss and polarization loss. Secondly, we explore the classical loss characteristics by performing a systematic analysis of the relationship between the complex dielectric permittivity and the frequency based on the measured FDS curves. Finally, we study the influences of the aging condition and moisture content on FDS. We extract some of the characteristic parameters that are related to the insulation condition. The results obtained indicate that at low frequencies, the FDS characteristic was mainly influenced by the conductivity loss, which may be explained by the Dyre model. At high frequencies, the characteristic was mainly influenced by the polarization loss, which may be explained by the H-N model. In addition, the characteristic at mid-range frequencies was due to both the conductivity and polarization loss. The moisture content significantly affects only the conductance process. Therefore, the characteristic parameter, namely the DC conductivity σ 0, which is closely related to the conductance process, can be used to quantitatively describe the moisture content of OIP. Meanwhile, the characteristic parameters α, β, and τ, which are associated with the polarization process, can be used to quantitatively describe the aging status of OIP.