Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaccine-Induced Env V1-V2 IgG3 Correlates with Lower HIV-1 Infection Risk and Declines Soon After Vaccination

A V1-V2 IgG3 response to HIV correlates with a decreased risk of HIV-1 infection and is one vaccine-induced humoral response that is higher in a clinical trial showing HIV-1 vaccine efficacy compared to a trial showing nonefficacy. Env IgG3 Takes Center Stage Only one HIV-1 vaccine trial (RV144), to date, has demonstrated some level of vaccine efficacy. IgG antibodies to the V1-V2 region of the HIV-1 envelope correlated with decreased HIV-1 risk. However, a previous vaccine trial (VAX003) also induced these types of antibodies but failed to demonstrate efficacy, thus raising the question about whether the quality of the V1-V2 IgG response and the context of other immune responses were important. Yates et al. report that these two trials did induce a qualitatively distinct antibody subclass response, with more V1V2 IgG3 responses and correlations with antiviral function induced by the partially efficacious RV144 vaccine regimen compared to the VAX003 vaccine regimen that lacks efficacy. The authors then demonstrated that these specific IgG3 antibodies correlated with a decreased risk of infection in a placebo-controlled, blinded study of RV144 vaccinees with and without subsequent HIV-1 infection. Vaccine-induced HIV-1 antibody subclass profiles, specifically Env IgG3, should be evaluated in future HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials to further refine immune correlates of protection. HIV-1–specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass antibodies bind to distinct cellular Fc receptors. Antibodies of the same epitope specificity but of a different subclass therefore can have different antibody effector functions. The study of IgG subclass profiles between different vaccine regimens used in clinical trials with divergent efficacy outcomes can provide information on the quality of the vaccine-induced B cell response. We show that HIV-1–specific IgG3 distinguished two HIV-1 vaccine efficacy studies (RV144 and VAX003 clinical trials) and correlated with decreased risk of HIV-1 infection in a blinded follow-up case-control study with the RV144 vaccine. HIV-1–specific IgG3 responses were not long-lived, which was consistent with the waning efficacy of the RV144 vaccine. These data suggest that specific vaccine-induced HIV-1 IgG3 should be tested in future studies of immune correlates in HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials.
An adaptive fuzzy hybrid state observer for bioprocesses

In order to monitor and control bioprocesses, online measurements of certain biological variables, like biomass concentration, are normally required. Unfortunately, there is a lack of highly reliable and low cost instruments for online measuring these important variables. These limitations have motivated the use of observers. This paper describes a state observer for bioprocesses based on a hybrid fuzzy model. The model combines the mass balances and a fuzzy inference system for approximating the uncertain dynamic of the kinetic reactions. The convergence, stability, and robustness of the observer are analyzed. The main features of this observer are illustrated by considering a lactic fermentation.
A simple neuro-fuzzy impulse detector for efficient blur reduction of impulse noise removal operators for digital images

A new impulse noise detector based on neuro-fuzzy methods is presented. The proposed detector comprises two identical neuro-fuzzy subdetectors combined with a decision maker. The internal parameters of the subdetectors are adaptively adjusted by training. Training of the subdetectors is accomplished by using a simple computer generated artificial image. The detector can be combined with any impulse noise removal operator. The operation of the detector is completely independent of the noise removal operator and it has no influence on the filtering behavior of the operator. Experimental results show that the proposed detector significantly reduces the distortion effects of any impulse noise removal operator even if the operator already has its own noise detector.
Problems in the Evaluation of Progress and Outcome

In the Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce defined outcome as "a particular kind of disappointment. " That speechlanguage clinicians are discouraged about the results of working with stutterers, at all ages, is practically a chronic condition of the profession. On the other hand, success percentages claimed by many current writers on stuttering, particularly those following operant approaches, are highly optimistic. In his recent presentation to the Atlanta meeting of ASLHA, Andrews reassured the assembled experimenters that they were doing very well, better in fact, than psychiatrists in treating the problems they address (Andrews, 1980). That may be so, but are the operant workers entitled to such a bouquet? Why such a discrepancy between rosy reports in the operant literature and the commonly bleak experiences of public school clinicians? The evaluation of outcome in either therapy with stuttering, or with psychotherapy, is not as simple a matter as much of the burgeoning operant literature implies. The stutterer presents many problems beyond those typical of psychotherapy cases, despite the deceptively easy availability of frequency measures. We have chosen to respond to the invitation to participate in this monography assessing some of these problems. Since we have not seen the contributions of others to this issue, this writing is not specifically responsive to theirs. Rather, we wish to express broader concerns about the flotation of success claims.
Identification of a New Modulator of the Intercalated Disc in a Zebrafish Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Drug screening in a zebrafish model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy identified a small molecule that remodels the intercalated disc. Fishing for Heart Healing When Judy Garland sings “Thump, thump, thump went my heart strings,” she’s celebrating a new love connection. But it remains unclear why patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) suffer frequent heart arrhythmias. Asimaki et al. used a zebrafish model of ACM to illuminate disease mechanisms and discovered a potential drug, SB216763, that suppressed the disease phenotype in the fish model. The authors also observed SB216763-reversible, abnormal cardiac remodeling in cardiac myocytes derived from rats that carried an ACM-related mutation and from induced pluripotent stem cells from two ACM probands. These observations pinpoint aberrant trafficking of cardiac proteins as a central mechanism underlying ACM cardiomyocyte injury and electrical abnormalities. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by frequent cardiac arrhythmias. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms and discover potential chemical modifiers, we created a zebrafish model of ACM with cardiac myocyte–specific expression of the human 2057del2 mutation in the gene encoding plakoglobin. A high-throughput screen identified SB216763 as a suppressor of the disease phenotype. Early SB216763 therapy prevented heart failure and reduced mortality in the fish model. Zebrafish ventricular myocytes that expressed 2057del2 plakoglobin exhibited 70 to 80% reductions in INa and IK1 current densities, which were normalized by SB216763. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes that expressed 2057del2 plakoglobin recapitulated pathobiological features seen in patients with ACM, all of which were reversed or prevented by SB216763. The reverse remodeling observed with SB216763 involved marked subcellular redistribution of plakoglobin, connexin 43, and Nav1.5, but without changes in their total cellular content, implicating a defect in protein trafficking to intercalated discs. In further support of this mechanism, we observed SB216763-reversible, abnormal subcellular distribution of SAP97 (a protein known to mediate forward trafficking of Nav1.5 and Kir2.1) in rat cardiac myocytes expressing 2057del2 plakoglobin and in cardiac myocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from two ACM probands with plakophilin-2 mutations. These observations pinpoint aberrant trafficking of intercalated disc proteins as a central mechanism in ACM myocyte injury and electrical abnormalities.
WSN10-4: A Framework to Minimize Energy Consumption for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a framework to minimize energy consumption in the medium access control (MAC) layer for wireless sensor networks. While satisfying a range of quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as the packet transmission success rate and maximum delay constraint, we optimally choose the lengths of periods in which sensors are active and inactive, such that the energy consumption per unit time in the entire network is minimized. We first use our framework to optimize the values of the MAC attributes macBeaconOrder and macSuperframeOrder in an IEEE 802.15. 4 beacon-enabled star network. Then we consider a much simpler protocol, which we call "select-and-transmit" (S&T), and the same framework is applied to find the optimal lengths of the active and inactive portions. Finally, we compare the minimal energy consumption of the IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC and S&T under the same QoS requirements and show that the IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC outperforms S&T in most cases. However, the S&T MAC performs better than the standard under our framework in certain scenarios, e.g., event-driven sensor networks where the packet transmission success rate is usually low.
Multiplexed Protein Analysis

Multiplexed protein analysis using an antibody-DNA barcoding approach could accelerate early detection and monitoring of cancer biomarkers in patient samples, as well as unravel pathways leading to therapeutic response or resistance (Ullal et al., this issue). Multiplexed protein analysis using an antibody-DNA barcoding approach could accelerate early detection and monitoring of cancer biomarkers in patient samples (Ullal et al., this issue).
From the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society Eight-year institutional review of carotid artery stenting

Objectives: Vascular surgeons have increasingly become proficient in carotid artery stenting (CAS) as an alternative treatment modality for cervical carotid artery occlusive disease. We analyzed our early and late outcomes of CAS over the last 8 years. Methods: We report a single-center retrospective review of 388 carotid bifurcation lesions treated with CAS using cerebral embolic protection from May 2001 to July 2009. Data analysis includes demographics, procedural records, duplex exams, arteriograms, and two-view plain radiographs over a mean follow-up time of 23.0 months (interquartile range, 10.9-35.4). Results: At the time of treatment, the mean age of the entire cohort (76% men and 24% women) is 71 years; 13% were >80 years of age, and 31% had a prior history of either carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and/or external beam neck irradiation (XRT). The mean carotid stenosis is 80%, and asymptomatic lesions represent 69% of the group. Overall 30-day rates of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction are 0.5%, 1.8%, and 0.8%, respectively. The combined death/stroke rate at 30 days is 2.3%. The 30-day major/minor stroke rates for analyzed subgroups are statistically significant only for XRT/recurrent stenosis vs de novo lesions, 0% and 2.6% (P .03), but not for asymptomatic vs symptomatic patients, 1.9% and 1.7% (P .91) and age <80 vs >80, 2.0% and 1.8% (P .52), respectively. At long-term, the freedom from all strokes at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months was 99.2%, 97.6%, 96.7%, and 96.7%, respectively. At late follow-up, the restenosis rate is 3.5%. Restenosis rates for recurrent stenosis/XRT vs de novo lesions are 2.7% and 3.4% (P .39). Among the restenotic lesions were two associated type III stent fractures in de novo lesions, both of which were closed-cell stents. An additional two other type I fractures have been identified, yielding a stent fracture rate of 5.5%. The late death rate for the entire group is 16.8%, with one stent-related death secondary to ipsilateral stroke at 20 months (0.3% death rate). Conclusions: Vascular surgeons performing CAS with embolic protection can achieve good early and late outcomes that are comparable to CEA benchmarks. Late stent failures (stroke, restenosis, and/or stent fatigue), while uncommon, are a recognized delayed problem. (J Vasc Surg 2010;51:1145-51.)
A Novel Approach to $H_{\bm \infty}$ Decentralized Fuzzy-Observer-Based Fuzzy Control Design for Nonlinear Interconnected Systems

In general, due to the interactions among subsystems, it is difficult to design an H infin-decentralized output-feedback controller for nonlinear interconnected systems. This study introduces H infin-decentralized fuzzy-observer-based fuzzy control design, where the premise variables depend on the state variables estimated by a fuzzy observer, for nonlinear interconnected systems via T-S fuzzy models. The fuzzy control design for this case is more flexible but much more complex than that for the case where the premise variables depend on the state variables only. A novel decoupled method is proposed in this study to transform the non-linear matrix inequality (non-LMI) conditions into some LMI forms. By the proposed decoupled method, the problem of H infin-decentralized fuzzy-observer-based fuzzy control design for nonlinear interconnected systems is characterized in terms of solving an eigenvalue problem (EVP) with five prespecified scalars for each subsystem. In general, it is a difficult task to solve the EVP with five prespecified scalars. Fortunately, this special EVP can be easily solved by using a genetic algorithm and an LMI-based optimization method. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the design procedure and robust performance of the proposed methods.
Model Identification for Wireless Sensor Networks

In many lifetime enhancement strategies for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) it is often necessary to identify the statistical model of the underlying physical field. We consider the problem of in-situ inference as an exemplary application and propose an in-situ model estimation algorithm that works in tandem with a parametric distributed filtering procedure. We demonstrate, via averaged-gradient analysis and simulations, that the resulting adaptive filter is stable, robust and, importantly, fully scalable. It compares favorably with kernel-regression inference, and typically significantly outperforms the latter when the spatio-temporal variations in the natural field are relatively rapid.
Scanning electron microscopy of rib lesions

Subperiosteal deposits of new bones on the visceral surfaces of ribs obtained from a variety of British Roman and Medieval cemeteries were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They showed evidence of active deposition of bone around a network of vascular grooves. A sequence of stages, from a slight deepening of the grooves to complete enclosure of the blood vessel in a bony tunnel could be recognized and, in some specimens, several superimposed layers of new bone indicated that the process could be repeated. Microscopical evidence for osteoblastic and osteoclastic (Howships) lacunae existed in the best preserved specimens, showing the value of SEM, in demonstrating the cellular dynamics of palaeopathological processes. In the Terry Collection (Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC) the appearance of this lesion is significantly associated with tuberculosis or other pulmonary disease. We suggest a similar correlation for British material. The importance of establishing early diagnostic criteria for respiratory infection in osteoar-chaeological material is emphasized. The presence of periostitis on rib visceral surfaces is detected easily using only a hand lens and abundant material is available. It is suggested that it might form one such useful diagnostic criterion.
Robust Adaptive Fuzzy Control by Backstepping for a Class of MIMO Nonlinear Systems

This paper presents a robust adaptive control method for a class of multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems that are transformable to a parametric-strict-feedback form which has couplings among input channels and the appearance of parametric uncertainties in the input matrices. The proposed approach effectively combines the design techniques of robust adaptive control by backstepping and adaptive fuzzy-logic control in order to remove the matching-condition requirement and to provide boundedness of tracking errors, even under dominant model uncertainties and poor parameter adaptation. Unlike previous robust adaptive fuzzy controls of MIMO nonlinear systems, this research introduces the robustness terms explicitly in the controller structure to counteract the effects of model uncertainties and parameter-adaptation errors. Uniform boundedness of the MIMO nonlinear control system is proved, and simulation results further validate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed control method.
Shifting Motivations: Young Women’s Reflections on Physical Activity Over Time and Across Contexts

This research analyzes motivations expressed by young, healthy, sedentary women before and after an exercise intervention. Young women (aged 18-30, n = 39) participated in focus groups or interviews during a 4-month exercise intervention. Afterward, 22 of these women and 20 controls completed physical activity diaries for 6 months and were interviewed. For the majority of women (n = 24), obligation to the study prevailed as the motivator during the intervention. Some ( n = 15) became physically active for their own benefit. Afterward, exercisers and controls said they were physically active to feel better and/or healthy (n = 20), for body image and/ or weight loss (n = 20), or both. Women expressed motivations for physical activity in ways that resonated with self-determination theory. Their commentaries expand on theory to include experiencing multiple motivations simultaneously and motivations shifting over time and in differing contexts. Social motivations were compelling, both those associated with societal values (research, health) and cultural trends (body image).
Strategies to Facilitate Exposure to Internet-Delivered Health Behavior Change Interventions Aimed at Adolescents or Young Adults: A Systematic Review

The Internet is considered to be a promising delivery channel of interventions aimed at promoting healthful behaviors, especially for adolescents and young adults. Exposure to these interventions, however, is generally low. A more extensive exploration of methods, strategies, and their effectiveness with regard to facilitating exposure is therefore timely, because this knowledge is crucial to improve the use of such interventions and, subsequently, to increase behavioral change. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, resulting in 838 studies based on title selection, of which 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. The systematic review resulted in an overview of methods and strategies that have been used to facilitate exposure. Patterns of effective strategies could be observed, such as the combination of tailored communication and the use of reminders and incentives. Nevertheless, exposure-specific theories need to be developed and objective exposure measures should be tracked and reported in future studies.
Motivations for Sex Among Low-Income African American Young Women

African American young women exhibit higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, compared with European American women, and this is particularly true for African American women living in low-income contexts. We used rigorous qualitative methods, that is, domain analysis, including free listing (n = 20), similarity assessment (n = 25), and focus groups (four groups), to elicit self-described motivations for sex among low-income African American young women (19-22 years). Analyses revealed six clusters: Love/Feelings, For Fun, Curiosity, Pressured, For Money, and For Material Things. Focus groups explored how African American women interpreted the clusters in light of condom use expectations. Participants expressed the importance of using condoms in risky situations, yet endorsed condom use during casual sexual encounters less than half the time. This study highlights the need for more effective intervention strategies to increase condom use expectations among low-income African American women, particularly in casual relationships where perceived risk is already high.
What Does It Mean to Be Pragmatic? Pragmatic Methods, Measures, and Models to Facilitate Research Translation

Background. One of the reasons for the slow and uncertain translation of research into practice is likely due to the emphasis in science on explanatory models and efficacy designs rather than more pragmatic approaches. Methods. Following a brief definition of what constitutes a pragmatic approach, I provide examples of pragmatic methods, measures, and models and how they have been applied. Results. Descriptions are provided of pragmatic trials and related designs, practical measures including patient-reported items for the electronic health record, and the Evidence Integration Triangle and RE-AIM practical models, each of which can help increase the relevance of research to policy makers, practitioners, and patients/consumers. Conclusions. By focusing on the perspective of stakeholders and the context for application of scientific findings, pragmatic approaches can accelerate the integration of research, policy, and practice. Progress has been made, especially in pragmatic trials but even more opportunities remain.
Easily Invertible Tight Bounds for Diversity Reception

Diversity techniques will play a key role in next generation wireless communication systems, thus system design will benefit from a clear understanding of how these techniques affect system performance. To this aim we propose simple bounds, optimized within a given class, on the symbol error probability (SEP) in the presence of non-ideal channel estimation for arbitrary two-dimensional signaling constellations. Unlike known bounds, the optimized simple bounds are tight for all signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). In addition, these bounds are easily invertible, which enables us to obtain bounds on the symbol error outage (SEO) and SNR penalty. As an example application for digital mobile radio, we consider the SEO in log-normal shadowing for both maximal ratio combining with unequal branch power profile and subset microdiversity. The reported lower and upper bounds are extremely tight, that is, within a fraction of a dB from each other.
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene polymorphisms in patients with familial mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent attacks of polyserositis and fever. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is known to contribute inflammatory conditions by regulating leukocyte localization at inflammatory sites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probable association of ICAM-1 G/R 241 and ICAM-1 E/K 469 polymorphisms according to susceptibility with FMF. Sixty-seven FMF patients and 83 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA-preserved whole blood of whole series of patients and controls, and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific oligonucleotide techniques for ICAM-1 polymorphisms G/R at codon 241 and E/K at codon 469. The ICAM-1 241 genotype and allele frequencies of FMF patients and healthy volunteers were similar. The frequency of ICAM-1 K469 homozygosity was significantly lower in FMF patients than in the controls (32.8% vs 50.7% subsequently, p=0.03). Moreover, ICAM-1 E469 allele was more frequent in FMF patients than in controls (44.8% vs 32.3%, p:0.03). Our results showed that ICAM-1 469 gene polymorphism could contribute to the pathogenesis of FMF.