Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Intravitreal Injection of Ranibizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Serous Pigment Epithelial Detachment

Background We sought to observe the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with serous pigment epithelial detachment (sPED). Material/Methods A retrospective, noncomparative case series was performed. Twenty-3 eyes of 23 patients with sPED secondary to nAMD who had received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab were included in this study. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), synchronous fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. All patients were treated with pro re nata intravitreal injections after 3 loading doses of ranibizumab and were followed up for 12 months. The differences in the BCVAs, maximum PED heights, PED volumes and CFTs of the affected eyes were compared between the baseline and last visit. Results Twelve months after the first injection, improved visual acuity was observed in 16 of the 23 eyes. 4 eyes exhibited stable visual acuity, and 3 eyes exhibited impaired visual acuity. The mean post-injection logMAR BCVA was 0.58±0.05, which was much better than that at baseline (0.76±0.08; t=1.751, P=0.0869). The mean maximum PED height at baseline was 350.17±35. 73μm and it was decreased to 238.87±36. 87μm (t=2.192, P=0.0337) at the last visit. The mean PED volume after injection was 0.34±0.1 mm3, which was significantly decreased compared with that at baseline (0.81±0.21 mm3; t=2.021, P=0.0494). The mean CFT decreased, but this difference was not statistically significant (t=1.003, P=0.3211). None of the patients exhibited endophthalmitis, uveitis or RPE tears. Conclusions Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with serous pigment epithelial detachment safely and effectively improved the patients’ visual acuities and decreased their PED heights volumes.
Household Decision-making about Delivery in Health Facilities: Evidence from Tanzania

This study investigated how partners’ perceptions of the healthcare system influence decisions about delivery-location in low-resource settings. A multistage population-representative sample was used in Kasulu district, Tanzania, to identify women who had given birth in the last five years and their partners. Of 826 couples in analysis, 506 (61.3%) of the women delivered in the home. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with delivery in a health facility were agreement of partners on the importance of delivering in a health facility and agreement that skills of doctors are better than those of traditional birth attendants. When partners disagreed, the opinion of the woman was more influential in determining delivery-location. Agreement of partners regarding perceptions about the healthcare system appeared to be an important driver of decisions about delivery-location. These findings suggest that both partners should be included in the decision-making process regarding delivery to raise rates of delivery at facility.
Interpretable Recurrent Neural Networks Using Sequential Sparse Recovery

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are powerful and effective for processing sequential data. However, RNNs are usually considered "black box" models whose internal structure and learned parameters are not interpretable. In this paper, we propose an interpretable RNN based on the sequential iterative soft-thresholding algorithm (SISTA) for solving the sequential sparse recovery problem, which models a sequence of correlated observations with a sequence of sparse latent vectors. The architecture of the resulting SISTA-RNN is implicitly defined by the computational structure of SISTA, which results in a novel stacked RNN architecture. Furthermore, the weights of the SISTA-RNN are perfectly interpretable as the parameters of a principled statistical model, which in this case include a sparsifying dictionary, iterative step size, and regularization parameters. In addition, on a particular sequential compressive sensing task, the SISTA-RNN trains faster and achieves better performance than conventional state-of-the-art black box RNNs, including long-short term memory (LSTM) RNNs.
Estimating the density of femoral head trabecular bone from hip fracture patients using computed tomography scan data

The purpose of this study was to compare computed tomography density (ρCT) obtained using typical clinical computed tomography scan parameters to ash density (ρash), for the prediction of densities of femoral head trabecular bone from hip fracture patients. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the relationships between ρash and ρCT and between each of these densities and ρbulk and ρdry. Seven human femoral heads from hip fracture patients were computed tomography–scanned ex vivo, and 76 cylindrical trabecular bone specimens were collected. Computed tomography density was computed from computed tomography images by using a calibration Hounsfield units–based equation, whereas ρbulk, ρdry and ρash were determined experimentally. A large variation was found in the mean Hounsfield units of the bone cores (HUcore) with a constant bias from ρCT to ρash of 42.5 mg/cm3. Computed tomography and ash densities were linearly correlated (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.001). It was demonstrated that ρash provided a good estimate of ρbulk (R2 = 0.78, p < 0.001) and is a strong predictor of ρdry (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). In addition, the ρCT was linearly related to ρbulk (R2 = 0.43, p < 0.001) and ρdry (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.001). In conclusion, mineral density was an appropriate predictor of ρbulk and ρdry, and ρCT was not a surrogate for ρash. There were linear relationships between ρCT and physical densities; however, following the experimental protocols of this study to determine ρCT, considerable scatter was present in the ρCT relationships.
Negative regulation of Raf-1 by phosphorylation of serine 621

The elevation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in the cell downregulates the activity of the Raf-1 kinase. It has been suggested that this effect is due to the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), which can directly phosphorylate Raf-1 in vitro. In this study, we confirmed this hypothesis by coexpressing Raf-1 with the constitutively active catalytic subunit of PKA, which could fully reproduce the inhibition previously achieved by cAMP. PKA-phosphorylated Raf-1 exhibits a reduced affinity for GTP-loaded Ras as well as impaired catalytic activity. As the binding to GTP-loaded Ras induces Raf-1 activation in the cell, we examined which mechanism is required for PKA-mediated Raf-1 inhibition in vivo. A Raf-1 point mutant (RafR89L), which is unable to bind Ras, as well as the isolated Raf-1 kinase domain were still fully susceptible to inhibition by PKA, demonstrating that the phosphorylation of the Raf-1 kinase suffices for inhibition. By the use of mass spectroscopy and point mutants, PKA phosphorylation site was mapped to a single site in the Raf-1 kinase domain, serine 621. Replacement of serine 621 by alanine or cysteine or destruction of the PKA consensus motif by changing arginine 618 resulted in the loss of catalytic activity. Notably, a mutation of serine 619 to alanine did not significantly affect kinase activity or regulation by activators or PKA. Changing serine 621 to aspartic acid yielded a Raf-1 protein which, when expressed to high levels in Sf-9 insect cells, retained a very low inducible kinase activity that was resistant to PKA downregulation. The purified Raf-1 kinase domain displayed slow autophosphorylation of serine 621, which correlated with a decrease in catalytic function. The Raf-1 kinase domain activated by tyrosine phosphorylation could be downregulated by PKA. Specific removal of the phosphate residue at serine 621 reactivated the catalytic activity. These results are most consistent with a dual role of serine 621. On the one hand, serine 621 appears essential for catalytic activity; on the other hand, it serves as a phosphorylation site which confers negative regulation.
Algorithms Gage: a Critical Evaluation of Genome Assemblies and Assembly Material Supplemental

object identifier (DOIs) and date of initial publication. by PubMed from initial publication. Citations to Advance online articles must include the digital publication). Advance online articles are citable and establish publication priority; they are indexed appeared in the paper journal (edited, typeset versions may be posted when available prior to final Advance online articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication but have not yet
Enhanced SIP based method for vertical handoff between WiFi and WiMax networks

One of the most important issues in wireless and mobile communication technologies is the mobility management when a mobile node moves between different access networks. Many alternative ways to realize mobility management have been proposed on different layers. In this paper we discuss the vertical handoff behavior when a mobile node moves from IEEE 802.11 network to IEEE 802.16 network and vice versa using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) in order to support real-time communication in a more efficient way in application layer. A new approach named Enhanced Mid-call Mobility SIP(EMSIP)which provides better billing procedures during handoff for real-time operator environment is proposed. Bandwidth and received signal strength (RSS)are used as metrics. Real-time application (streaming video) is taken into consideration. We are using NS2 to measure handoff latency and packet loss in two cases. Varying the speed of Mobile Node(MN) keeping other parameters viz., video packet size constant. Varying the size of video packet keeping the speed of MN constant and the performance characteristics of EMSIP are studied.
Chromatin Folding in Relation to Human Genome Function

Three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure is closely related to genome function, in particular transcription. However, the folding path of the chromatin fiber in the interphase nucleus is unknown. Here, we systematically measured the 3D physical distance between pairwise labeled genomic positions in gene-dense, highly transcribed domains and gene-poor less active areas on chromosomes 1 and 11 in G1 nuclei of human primary fibroblasts, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Interpretation of our results and those published by others, based on polymer physics, shows that the folding of the chromatin fiber can be described as a polymer in a globular state (GS), maintained by intra-polymer attractive interactions that counteract self-avoidance forces. The GS polymer model is able to describe chromatin folding in as well the highly expressed domains as the lowly expressed ones, indicating that they differ in Kuhn length and chromatin compaction. Each type of genomic domain constitutes an ensemble of relatively compact globular folding states, resulting in a considerable cellto- cell variation between otherwise identical cells. We present evidence for different polymer folding regimes of the chromatin fiber on the length scale of a few mega base pairs and on that of complete chromosome arms (several tens of Mb). Our results present a novel view on the folding of the chromatin fiber in interphase and open the possibility to explore the nature of the intra-chromatin fiber interactions.
Supporting Online Material Materials and Methods Som Text Figs. S1 to S6 References Activation of Pannexin-1 Hemichannels Augments Aberrant Bursting in the Hippocampus

Pannexin-1 (Px1) is expressed at postsynaptic sites in pyramidal neurons, suggesting that these hemichannels contribute to dendritic signals associated with synaptic function. We found that, in pyramidal neurons, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation induced a secondary prolonged current and dye flux that were blocked with a specific inhibitory peptide against Px1 hemichannels; knockdown of Px1 by RNA interference blocked the current in cultured neurons. Enhancing endogenous NMDAR activation in brain slices by removing external magnesium ions (Mg 2+) triggered epileptiform activity, which had decreased spike amplitude and prolonged interburst interval during application of the Px1 hemichannel blocking peptide. We conclude that Px1 hemichannel opening is triggered by NMDAR stimulation and can contribute to epileptiform seizure activity. H emichannels are formed by pannexin or connexin proteins and mediate large ionic currents and the passage of small molecules (<1 kD) across plasma membranes. Pannexin-1 (Px1) forms hemichannels in a number of cell types and can be opened by ischemic-like conditions in pyramidal neurons (1) or purinergic receptor stimulation in red blood cells (2). Px1 has been observed at the postsynaptic density by electron microscopy and colocaliza-tion with postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) (3); therefore, we hypothesized that Px1 hemi-channels may have an undiscovered function at postsynaptic sites. Glutamate mediates excitatory synaptic communication via activation of fast AMPA/kainate and slower N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). We investigated the possibility that NMDAR activation opens Px1 hemi-channels because of reports that NMDARs lead to a prolonged but unidentified secondary inward current (4–6). Under conditions in which voltage-dependent ion channels were blocked, we recorded NMDAR secondary currents (I 2nd) from acutely isolated hippocampal neurons with whole-cell patch clamp and activated them by either repeated (10-s duration at 1-min intervals) (Fig. 1A) or continuous (5 to 15 min) 100 mM NMDA with concomitant voltage commands from –80 to +80 mV (Figs. 1D and 2) (7). I 2nd was evident as an increase in holding current (Fig. 1A, downward shift in middle trace) and was secondary to the NMDAR because it persisted after washout of the agonist (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, I 2nd was blocked by 50 mM carbenoxolone (Cbx) (Fig. 1, A to C), an inhibitor of gap junctions and hemichannels (8). We tested a selective small peptide inhibitor of Px1, 10 panx (100 mM; Block of the NMDAR ligand-gated currents with 1 mM kyenurinic acid prevented activation of I 2nd (fig. S1). Furthermore, the NMDAR currents were not directly affected …
A longevidade das organizações no cenário da nova economia

Resumo . A decada de 90 inscreveu as organizacoes num novo cenario caracterizado pelo aparecimento da denominada nova economia . Outros desafios se colocaram e a luta pela sobrevivencia tornou-se uma constante diaria para as empresas que operam em actividades altamente competitivas. O presente artigo visa analisar este contexto. Discutem-se as novas preocupacoes e problematicas, designadamente as novas competencias-chave, a moldagem de futuros competitivos, onde o conhecimento e a aprendizagem sao as principais armas de diferenciacao entre as organizacoes. Consequentemente, a informacao, a capacidade de absorcao e adaptacao incessantes e o fascinio pela inovacao fazem o diferencial competitivo de algumas empresas centenarias. Palavras-chave : Longevidade, nova economia, trabalhadores do saber, aprendizagem.
Anxiety as an Aggravating Factor During Onset of Focal Dystonia in Musicians

Focal dystonia in musicians is a task-specific move- ment disorder that in many cases leads to the end of musical careers. In a recent study, perfectionism and anxious traits were found to be elevated in musicians with dystonia. Dynamics of different anxiety disorders and their possible role during the development of musi- cian's dystonia still are unclear. Dystonic musicians (n = 20) were investigated by means of self-estimation and compared with healthy musicians (n = 30) and musicians with chronic pain syndromes (n = 20). Participants completed a questionnaire focusing on different anxiety disorders, particularly with regard to their dynamics. Musi- cians with focal dystonia more often reported social phobia and spe- cific phobias than healthy musicians. In the retrospective analysis, these differences already were present before onset of dystonia. Musicians who later developed focal dystonia more often suffered from specific phobias than musicians who later developed chronic pain. Musicians with chronic pain more often reported free-floating anxiety compared with healthy musicians. In the subscale stage fright, no significant differences were observed between the groups. The pattern of specific phobias and social phobia were reported to have been preexisting before the onset of dystonia. Anxiety and per- fectionism may be aggravating factors during the development of musician's dystonia. Med Probl Perform Art 2004; 19:75-81.
The Design of Real-Time Database in the Data Fusion System

In recent years, real-time database technology in the military data fusion system has been closely followed and applied more and more. In order to complete the design of background database for data fusion system, first analyzed the data fusion system's requirements on database system, and then the organizational structure was determined, the real-time protocol was designed to process the real-timing data and system task, database system design is reasonable and effective through the fusion result finally. The conclusion is that the database system with real-time control could support the data fusion system very well
Extension of the CMSA Algorithm: An LP-based Way for Reducing Sub-instances

Construct, Merge, Solve & Adapt (CMSA) is a recently proposed hybrid algorithm for combinatorial optimization. At each iteration, the algorithm solves a sub-instance of the original problem instance by means of an exact technique. The incumbent sub-instance is adapted at each iteration, first, by adding solution components present in probabilistically constructed solutions; and, second, by removing solution components that have reached a certain age limit and that do not appear in the optimal solution to the current sub-instance. In this work we propose a refined way for selecting the solution components to be removed from the current sub-instance in those cases in which the exact method employed is an integer linear programming solver. More specifically, the information on the reduced costs of the solution components with respect to the linear programming solution is used for this purpose. Experimental results for the chosen test case, the multidimensional knapsack problem, demonstrate the usefulness of this extension of CMSA.
An Unequal Error Protection Method for Progressively Transmitted 3-D Models

In this paper, we present a packet-loss resilient system for the transmission of progressively compressed three-dimensional (3-D) models. It is based on a joint source and channel coding approach that trades off geometry precision for increased error resiliency to optimize the decoded model quality on the client side. We derive a theoretical framework for the overall system by which the channel packet loss behavior and the channel bandwidth can be directly related to the decoded model quality at the receiver. First, the 3-D model is progressively compressed into a base mesh and a number of refinement layers. Then, we assignoptimal forward error correction code rates to protect these layers according to their importance to the decoded model quality. Experimental results show that with the proposed unequal error protection approach, the decoded model quality degrades more gracefully (compared to either no error protection or equal error protection methods) as the packet-loss rate increases.
Residual generation and visualization for understanding novel process conditions

We study the generation and visualization of residuals for detecting and identifying unseen faults using auto-associative models learned from process data. Least squares and kernel regression models are compared on the basis of their ability to describe the support of the data. Theoretical results show that kernel regression models are more appropriate in this sense. Moreover, experiments on vibration and current data from an asynchronous motor confirm the theory and yield more meaningful results.
Virtual and Augmented Reality: Improved User Experience through a Service Oriented Infrastructure

Service Oriented Infrastructures allow for on-demand provision of Information and Communication Technologies assets. What virtual environments require from such infrastructures refers to the offered Quality of Service (QoS) levels, which have direct impact on the end users experience. In this paper, we describe a new approach to improve the user experience, with regard to QoS, of collaborative Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) working sessions. One of the main issues that have to be addressed in such a use case is the requirement for keeping QoS with regards to real-time of the shared multimedia content of the AR. Therefore we adapted our application to a new and innovative real-time enabled framework for service-based infrastructures, implemented within the framework of the IRMOS EU project. This framework provides the necessary guarantees for successful collaborative VR and AR sessions as derived from the desired user experience. We also demonstrate the operation of the implemented framework and evaluate its effectiveness to the collaborative Virtual and Augmented Reality scenario.
Progress in Cue Exposure Therapy for the Treatment of Addictive Disorders: A Review Update

Objectives: To evaluate the role of cue exposure therapy in addiction treatment. Methods: A Pubmed/PsycInfo literature search was performed for cue exposure treatments for addictions from 2002 to 2009. Findings: We located sixteen cue exposure therapy studies involving multiple addictions that were conducted between 2002 and 2009. Four of these studies consisted of clinical efficacy trials that assessed drug use after Cue Exposure Therapy (CET). In three of the four trials, cue exposure was no better or worse than the comparison therapy. Two trials showed somewhat worse retention in those receiving CET and one appeared to have higher relapse rates in those receiving CET. We did not find evidence of safety concerns in any of the four trials. Several promising methodological innovations included use of virtual reality, medication augmentation, investigation of renewal effects, use of fMRI methods, and study of individual differences. Conclusions: Superior efficacy for CET over other forms of general treatment has not been demonstrated. However, research in this area may yet be advanced through adequately powered, multi-site CET trials combining multiple methodological innovations including investigation of individual differences and medication augmentation. Until such trials are conducted, cue exposure treatment for addiction will remain a speculative and uncommonly used therapy in clinical settings.
NG2CE: Double neural gas based cluster ensemble framework

Though there exist different kinds of cluster ensemble methods, few of them consider how to process the dataset with noisy attributes. In this paper, we design a double neural gas based cluster ensemble framework, named as NG2CE, which is a new cluster ensemble framework to process the dataset with noisy attributes. Compared with traditional cluster ensemble methods, the cluster framework NG2CE not only adopts the neural gas algorithm to perform clustering on the data dimension, but also applies the neural gas algorithm to the attribute dimension, which will increase the diversity of the ensemble and improve the accuracy of the final result. NG2CE also adopts the normalized cut algorithm to partition the consensus matrix and obtains the final result. The results of the experiments on both synthetic datasets and real datasets show that (i) NG2CE works well on both synthetic datasets and real datasets. (ii) NG2CE is able to improve the accuracy and the stableness of the final result.