Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-risk patients following hospitalisation for an acute exacerbation of COPD

The aim of this study was to assess long-term mortality and predictive factors of death after hospital admission for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 1824 patients (23.2% female; mean age 70.3±11.3 years) consecutively admitted for acute exacerbation of COPD in the respiratory medicine departments of 68 general hospitals between October 2006 and June 2007 were prospectively enrolled in a follow-up cohort. Their vital status was documented between October 2010 and April 2011. Vital status was available for 1750 patients (95.9%), among whom 787 (45%) died during follow-up. Multivariate analysis found that age (60–80 years and ≥80 years versus <60 years, relative risk 2.99, 95% CI 2.31–3.89), lower body mass index (25–30 kg·m−2 versus ≤20 kg·m−2, relative risk 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.97), lung cancer (relative risk 2.08, 95% CI 1.43–3.01), cardiovascular comorbidity (relative risk 1.35, 95% CI 1.16–1.58), previous hospital admissions for acute exacerbation of COPD (four or more versus none, relative risk 1.91, 95% CI 1.44–2.53), use of accessory respiratory muscles (relative risk 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.40) or lower-limb oedema (relative risk 1.74, 95% CI (1.44–2.12)) at admission and treatment by long-term oxygen therapy at discharge (relative risk 2.09, 95% CI 1.79–2.45) were independent risk factors of death. Mortality rate during the 4 years following hospital admission for acute exacerbation of COPD was high (45%). Simple clinical information relating to respiratory and general status can help in identifying high-risk patients and targeting more intensive follow-up and care. Interestingly, cardiovascular comorbidities and past hospitalisations for acute exacerbation of COPD, but not forced expiratory volume in 1 s, independently predicted the risk of death. Long-term risk of death after hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of COPD is high but can be readily identified http://ow.ly/li4GZ
The laminated packaging material

1. A multilayer flexible packaging material preferably pincushion packaging container where a multilayer packaging material (30) includes a central layer (31) and the outer liquid-impermeable layers (32 and 33) on both sides of the central layer (31) and layer (34) serving as a gas-impermeable layer and disposed between the core layer (31) and one of the two outer liquid-impermeable layers (33), characterized in that between the layer (34) serving as a gas-impermeable layer, and one of the two external cont onitsaemyh liquids for the layers (33) it comprises a load-absorbing film (36) in contact with the layer (34) serving as a gas-tight sloya.2. The laminated packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the load absorbing film (36) is a preformed polymer plenku.3. The laminated packaging material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film (36) absorbs the load is obtained by extrusion blow plenku.4 polymer. The laminated packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the load absorbing film (36) is obtained by extrusion blow-molding polyolefin plenku.5. The laminated packaging material according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer (34) serving as a gas-impermeable layer is an aluminum folgu.6. The laminated packaging material according to claim 5, characterized in that the layer (34) serving as a gas-impermeable layer is a metallized plenku.7. The laminated packaging material according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the layer (34) serving as a
Overview of Time Series Storage and Processing in a Cloud Environment

In this paper we provide a short overview of Time Series Storage and Processing in a Cloud Environment. We focus on four main developments: Chukwa, OpenTSDB, TempoDB and Squwk. We compare them in terms of storage infrastructure, data acquisition, GUI and support for advanced analysis. In this comparison OpenTSDB emerges as the most interesting option for projects requiring support for advanced analysis. At the same time, TempoDB offers all the necessary basic functionality and can be a better option for many project which lack full IT support. We also describe other works in the field that have not yet developed in full frameworks. Some of them can significantly contribute to the existing platforms.
Crypto applications of combinatorial group theory

The design of a large number of cryptographic primitives is based on the intractability of the traditional discrete logarithm problem (tDLP). However, the well known quantum algorithm of P. Shor [9] solves the tDLP in polynomial time, thus rendering all cryptographic schemes based on tDLP ineffective, should quantum computers become a practical reality. In [5] M. Sramka et al. generalize the DLP to arbitrary finite groups. The DLP for a non-abelian group is based on a particular representation of a chosen family of groups, and a choice of a class of generators for these groups. In this paper we show that for PSL(2, p) = 〈α, β〉, p an odd prime, certain choices of generators (α, β) must be avoided to insure that the resulting generalized DLP is indeed intractable. For other types of generating pairs we suggest possible cryptanalytic attacks, reducing the new problem to the earlier case. We note however that the probability of success is asymptotic to 1 p as p → ∞. The second part of the paper summarizes our successful attack of the SL(2, 2n) based Tillich Zemor cryptographic hash function [2], and show how to construct collisions between palindromic strings of length 2n+ 2. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 68P25, 94A60.
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: 2012 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Abstract The guideline is intended for use by healthcare providers who care for adult and pediatric patients with group A streptococcal pharyngitis. The guideline updates the 2002 Infectious Diseases Society of America guideline and discusses diagnosis and management, and recommendations are provided regarding antibiotic choices and dosing. Penicillin or amoxicillin remain the treatments of choice, and recommendations are made for the penicillin-allergic patient, which now include clindamycin.
SQL DOM: compile time checking of dynamic SQL statements

Most object oriented applications that involve persistent data interact with a relational database. The most common interaction mechanism is a call level interface (CLI) such as ODBC or JDBC. While there are many advantages to using a CLI - expressive power and performance being two of the most key - there are also drawbacks. Applications communicate through a CLI by constructing strings that contain SQL statements. These SQL statements are only checked for correctness at runtime, tend to be fragile and are vulnerable to SQL injection attacks. To solve these and other problems, we present the SQL DOM: a set of classes that are strongly-typed to a database schema. Instead of string manipulation, these classes are used to generate SQL statements. We show how to extract the SQL DOM automatically from an existing database schema, demonstrate its applicability to solve the mentioned problems, and evaluate its performance.
Characterization of the Immediate Effect of a Training Session on a Manual Wheelchair Simulator With Haptic Biofeedback: Towards More Effective Propulsion

Eighteen manual wheelchair users (MWUs) with spinal cord injury participated in a training session on a new manual wheelchair simulator with haptic biofeedback (HB). The training aimed to modify participants' mechanical effective force (MEF) along the push phase to achieve a target MEF pattern slightly more effective than their pre-training pattern. More HB was provided if the participants' achieved MEF pattern deviated from the target. Otherwise, less HB was provided. The deviation between the participants' achieved MEF and the target, as well as the mean achieved MEF, were computed before, during and after the training session. During the training, participants generally exceeded the target pattern at the beginning of the push cycle and achieved it towards the end. On average, participants also increased their mean MEF by up to 15.7% on the right side and 12.4% on the left side between the pre-training and training periods. Finally, eight participants could modify their MEF pattern towards the target in post-training. The simulator tested in this study represents a valuable tool for developing new wheelchair propulsion training programs. Haptic biofeedback also provides interesting potential for training MWUs to improve propulsion effectiveness.
Mobility devices to promote activity and participation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of mobility device interventions in terms of activity and participation for people with mobility limitations. DESIGN Systematic review. Search of 7 databases during the period 1996 to 2008. METHODS Controlled studies and non-controlled follow-up studies were included if they covered both baseline and follow-up data and focused on activity and participation. Study participants had to be aged over 18 years with mobility limitations. Mobility device interventions encompassed crutches, walking frames, rollators, manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs (including scooter types). Two reviewers independently selected the studies, performed the data extraction, and 4 reviewers assessed the studies' methodological quality. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS Eight studies were included: one randomized controlled trial, 4 controlled studies, and 3 follow-up studies that included before and after data. Two studies dealt with the effects of powered wheelchair interventions and the other studies with various other types of mobility device. Two studies were of high, internal and external methodological quality. Interventions were found to be clinically effective in terms of activity and participation in 6 studies. The results did not, however, give a unanimous verdict on the effectiveness of mobility devices in enhancing the activity and participation of mobility impaired people. CONCLUSION Interventions and outcome measurement methods varied between the studies; consequently, it was not possible to draw any general conclusions about the effectiveness of mobility device interventions. However, evidence was found that mobility devices improve users' activity and participation and increase mobility. A lack of high-quality research hampers conclusions about effectiveness. More original, well-designed research is required.
Influence of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Tween 80 on Carbamazepine–Nicotinamide Cocrystal Solubility and Dissolution Behaviour

The influence of the surfactants of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Tween 80 on carbamazepine–nicotinamide (CBZ–NIC) cocrystal solubility and dissolution behaviour has been studied in this work. The solubility of the CBZ–NIC cocrystal was determined by measuring the eutectic concentrations of the drug and the coformer. Evolution of the intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of the CBZ–NIC cocrystal was monitored by the UV imaging dissolution system during dissolution. Experimental results indicated that SLS and Tween 80 had little influence upon the solubility of the CBZ–NIC cocrystal but they had totally opposite effects on the IDR of the CBZ–NIC cocrystal during dissolution. SLS significantly increased the IDR of the CBZ–NIC cocrystal while Tween 80 decreased its IDR.
ARP2, a Novel Pro-Apoptotic Protein Expressed in Epithelial Prostate Cancer LNCaP Cells and Epithelial Ovary CHO Transformed Cells

Neoplastic epithelial cells generate the most aggressive types of cancers such as those located in the lung, breast, colon, prostate and ovary. During advanced stages of prostate cancer, epithelial cells are associated to the appearance of androgen-independent tumors, an apoptotic-resistant phenotype that ultimately overgrows and promotes metastatic events. We have previously identified and electrophysiologically characterized a novel Ca2+-permeable channel activated during apoptosis in the androgen-independent prostate epithelial cancer cell line, LNCaP. In addition, we reported for the first time the cloning and characterization of this channel-like molecule named apoptosis regulated protein 2 (ARP2) associated to a lethal influx of Ca2+ in Xenopus oocytes. In the present study, LNCaP cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cell line) transfected with arp2-cDNA are induced to undergo apoptosis showing an important impact on cell viability and activation of caspases 3 and 7 when compared to serum deprived grown cells and ionomycin treated cells. The subcellular localization of ARP2 in CHO cells undergoing apoptosis was studied using confocal microscopy. While apoptosis progresses, ARP2 initially localized in the peri-nuclear region of cells migrates with time towards the plasma membrane region. Based on the present results and those of our previous studies, the fact that ARP2 constitutes a novel cation channel is supported. Therefore, ARP2 becomes a valuable target to modulate the influx and concentration of calcium in the cytoplasm of epithelial cancer cells showing an apoptotic-resistant phenotype during the onset of an apoptotic event.
On the image content of the Chilean Web

We perform a study of the image contents of the Chilean Web (.cl domain) using automatic feature extraction, content-based analysis and face detection algorithms. In an automated process we examine all . cl Websites and download a large number of the images available (approx. 83,000). Then we extract several visual features (color, texture, shape, etc.) and we perform face detection using novel algorithms. Using this process we semiautomatically characterize the image content of the Web in Chile in terms of the detected faces and the visual features obtained automatically. We present statistics of use to anyone concerned with the image content of the Web in Chile. Our study is the first one to use content-based tools to determine the image contents of the Web.
Supplementation with Vitamin B6 Reduces Side Effects in Cambodian Women Using Oral Contraception

Hormonal contraceptives may produce side effects that deter women from their use as a method of family planning. In nutritionally vulnerable populations these effects may be more pronounced due to micronutrient deficiencies and health status. Previous studies have been unable to resolve whether micronutrient supplementation may reduce such side effects. Aim: In a longitudinal study, 1011 women obtaining oral contraception through the public health system in rural Cambodia were allocated to either intervention or control groups, receiving either daily Vitamin B6 supplement or care as usual (without placebo). Results: The intervention participants (n = 577) reported fewer side effects in three categories: nausea/no appetite, headache, and depression compared with control group participants (n = 434). Conclusion: Women taking Vitamin B6 supplement were less likely to report side effects in a nutritionally vulnerable population. Underlying nutrition status should be considered by clinicians and reproductive health policy makers in the context of providing contraceptive services. Further investigation into micronutrient supplementation, particularly with B6, in reproductive-aged women using hormonal contraception should be conducted in other settings to determine the potential for widespread adoption.
Enforcing authorization policies using transactional memory introspection

Correct enforcement of authorization policies is a difficult task, especially for multi-threaded software. Even in carefully-reviewed code, unauthorized access may be possible in subtle corner cases. We introduce Transactional Memory Introspection (TMI), a novel reference monitor architecture that builds on Software Transactional Memory--a new, attractive alternative for writing correct, multi-threaded software. TMI facilitates correct security enforcement by simplifying how the reference monitor integrates with software functionality. TMI can ensure complete mediation of security-relevant operations, eliminate race conditions related to security checks, and simplify handling of authorization failures. We present the design and implementation of a TMI-based reference monitor and experiment with its use in enforcing authorization policies on four significant servers. Our experiments confirm the benefits of the TMI architecture and show that it imposes an acceptable runtime overhead.
Ball interception by a mobile robot goalkeeper using parallel navigation

This paper deals with the feedback control of a goalkeeper. The algorithm is based on the use of geometrical rules, where the goalkeeper moves on lines which are parallel to the initial line that joins the robot and the ball. The robot moves with a constant velocity and is controlled in the orientation angle, which is a continuous function of the ball’s velocity and orientation. It turns out that the goalkeeper is moving in a straight line when the ball moves with a constant linear velocity and constant orientation angle.
Neuron‐to‐neuron transmission of α‐synuclein fibrils through axonal transport

The lesions of Parkinson disease spread through the brain in a characteristic pattern that corresponds to axonal projections. Previous observations suggest that misfolded α‐synuclein could behave as a prion, moving from neuron to neuron and causing endogenous α‐synuclein to misfold. Here, we characterized and quantified the axonal transport of α‐synuclein fibrils and showed that fibrils could be transferred from axons to second‐order neurons following anterograde transport.
Sleep disruption frequency in rheumatoid arthritis: perceived stress predicts poor outcome over one year.

BACKGROUND Sleep is an important daily process that can be disrupted by chronic illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AIMS We tested whether demographic, medical and psychological factors act as predictors of change in frequency of sleep disruption associated with RA. METHODS A cohort of 129 White British people with RA (mean duration of RA 7.19 years; mean age 55.40 years; 75% women) was followed for one year. Self-report questionnaires were employed to record demographic information and assess participants' sleep disruption (on a 4-point frequency scale), morning stiffness (duration), pain and fatigue (visual analogue scales), impact of disability, anxiety, depression, stress, coping, illness perceptions and self-efficacy. Hospital notes were reviewed for duration of RA, antidepressant use and comorbidity. RESULTS Participants were split into those with sleep disruption that was consistently infrequent or decreasing in frequency (n = 56; 43%) and those with sleep disruption that was consistently frequent or increasing in frequency (n = 73; 57%). Results of a logistic regression demonstrated that greater perceived stress at baseline predicted sleep disruption that was consistently frequent or increasing in frequency over the year. Change in sleep disruption frequency was not predicted by any other assessed variable. Perceived stress at the end of the year was not predicted by change in frequency of sleep disruption. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported frequency of sleep disruption among people with RA relates to perceived stress. Psychoeducational programmes that help people with RA manage their stress may be a non-pharmacological method of improving sleep quality and therefore merits testing in specific interventional studies.
Cytokine Production Robust Expansion of Th 1 Cells and Their Targeted at a Neo-Self Antigen , by Triggering in Enhancing Pathogenic Autoimmunity , Pertussis Toxin Is Superior to TLR Ligands

Microbial products are assumed to play a major role in triggering pathogenic autoimmunity. Recently accumulated data have shown that these products stimulate the immune system by interacting with TLRs, expressed on APCs. To examine the capacity of various TLR ligands to trigger pathogenic autoimmunity, we used a system in which naive CD4 cells, speciﬁc against hen egg lysozyme (HEL), are injected into recipient mice expressing HEL in their eyes. Only when stimulated, the naive cells acquire pathogenic capacity and induce ocular inﬂammation. Seven TLR ligands were tested in this system: lipoteichoic acid/peptidogly-can, zymosan, poly (I:C), LPS, pertussis toxin (PTX), ﬂagellin, and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide. Treatment of recipient mice with HEL alone stimulated proliferation of the transferred cells, but no disease, whereas ocular inﬂammation did develop in recipient mice coinjected with HEL and any one of the seven TLR ligands. Inﬂammation induced by PTX surpassed by its severity those induced by all other tested TLR ligands and was accompanied by a dramatic increase in number of the transferred cells that acquired features of effector Th1 lymphocytes. Ocular inﬂammation and number of transferred cells in recipients injected with PTX and HEL were substantially reduced by treatment with Abs against IFN- (cid:1) or IL-12, thus indicating the role of these cytokines in the PTX effect. Overall, our observations demonstrate that various TLR ligands are capable of triggering pathogenic autoimmunity and that PTX surpasses other microbial products in this activity, by stimulating excessive proliferation and polarization
Modular Synthase-Encoding Gene Involved in α-Olefin Biosynthesis in Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002

ABSTRACT A gene involved in the production of medium-chain α-olefins was identified in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. The gene encodes a large multidomain protein with homology to type I polyketide synthases, suggesting a route for hydrocarbon biosynthesis from fatty acids via an elongation decarboxylation mechanism.
Effects of null mutations and overexpression of capping protein on morphogenesis, actin distribution and polarized secretion in yeast

CAP1, the gene encoding the alpha subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae capping protein, was cloned using a probe prepared by PCR with primers based on the amino acid sequence of purified alpha subunit peptides. The sequence is similar to that of capping protein alpha subunits of other species but not to that of the S. cerevisiae capping protein beta subunit or any other protein. Null mutants of capping protein, prepared by deletion of the coding region of CAP1 and CAP2 separately or together, are viable and have a similar phenotype. Deletion of the gene for one subunit leads to a loss of protein for the other subunit. The null mutant has a severe deficit of actin cables and an increased number of actin spots in the mother. Cells are round and relatively large. These features are heterogeneous within a population of cells and vary with genetic background. Overexpression of CAP1 and CAP2 also causes loss of actin cables and cell enlargement, as well as the additional traits of aberrant morphogenesis and cell wall thickening. Capping protein null strains and overexpression strains exhibited normal polarized secretion during bud growth as demonstrated by labeling with fluoresceinated Con A. Projection formation and chitin deposition in response to mating pheromone, mating efficiency, and bud site selection were also normal in capping protein null strains. In addition, bulk secretion of invertase was unimpaired. These data indicate that actin cables are not required for polarized secretion in S. cerevisiae.