Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus colonization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been recognized as a risk factor for invasive aspergillosis. Airway colonization by Aspergillus species is a common feature of chronic pulmonary diseases. Nowadays, the incidence of COPD has increased in critically ill patients. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Aspergillus colonies in the respiratory tract of COPD patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 50 COPD patients, who were aged above 18 years, and were in intensive care units of three hospitals in Sari, Iran, for at least six days. All the samples obtained from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and tracheal aspirates were cultured for fungi each week. According to the conventional techniques, Aspergillus isolates were initially based on growth and standard morphological characteristics. To confirm the identification of grown Aspergillus, the partial beta-tubulin gene was sequenced using specific primers. Results: A total of 50 patients, who met our inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study during 2012-14. The results showed that 27 (54%) and 23 (46%) of the participants were male and female, respectively. The majority of the patients developed dyspnea followed by hemoptysis, chest pain, and high fever. Corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibacterial agents were administered to 75% and 80% of the patients, respectively. Based on the conventional and molecular approaches, A. fumigatus (seven cases; 43.7%), A. flavus (five cases; 31.2%), A. niger (one case; 6.2%), A. terreus (one case; 6.2%), A. orezea (one case; 6.2%), and A. tubingensis (one case; 6.2%) were recovered. Conclusion: Recovery of Aspergillus species from the respiratory tract of COPD patients with pneumonia indicates two possibilities: either colonization or invasive aspergillosis.
Immunological Detection of Activated Platelets in Clinical Disorders

One of the "holy grails" in the field of hemostasis-thrombosis is a sensitive and specific test to detect platelet activation in vivo. Clinical and pathological studies indicate that platelet activation occurs and is of pathophysiologic significarrce in a number of vascular disorders, including unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, stroke and following angioplasty or cororriry thrombolysis (I-4). Therefore, the detection of activated plitelets migfit facilitate the identification of certain thrombotic diiorders and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies to prevent platelet activation.
Long-term survival after surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery disease.

PURPOSE We analyzed the long-term clinical outcome and survival after surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group comprised 222 patients who underwent surgical revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis between 1974 and 1987. The indications for performing surgical revascularization were treatment of hypertension in 60 patients, preservation of renal function in 12, and control of hypertension and preservation of renal function in 148. Postoperative blood pressure, renal function and survival data were analyzed during a mean followup of 7.4 years. RESULTS There were 5 operative deaths (2.2%) and postoperative thrombosis or stenosis of the repaired renal artery occurred in 16 patients (7.3%). Long-term cure or improvement of renovascular hypertension was achieved in 72.4% of patients. Preoperative renal function correlated significantly with a favorable blood pressure response to surgical revascularization (p = 0.013). Long-term improvement or stabilization of renal function was achieved in 71.3% of patients. Preoperative renal function (p = 0.034) and bilateral atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (p = 0.04) correlated significantly with a favorable renal function result after surgical revascularization. Actuarial 5 and 10-year survivals for the entire series from the time of surgical revascularization were 81 and 53%, respectively. The expected 5 and 10-year survivals for a comparable healthy population are 89 and 77%, respectively. Using a multivariate analysis, factors correlating with diminished long-term survival were age older than 60 years (p = 0.002), coronary artery disease (p = 0.031), and previous vascular operations (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These data support the long-term therapeutic efficacy of surgical revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. The merits of newer forms of therapy, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and endovascular stenting, must ultimately be weighed against these results.
Age changes in timing and 24-hour distribution of self-reported sleep.

OBJECTIVE Aging has been associated with increased nocturnal awakenings, increased napping, earlier bedtimes and wake-up times, and more regular sleep-wake schedules. These patterns have often been ascribed to both psychosocial and medical factors, but nearly all studies to-date have been cross-sectional. METHODS The authors present self-reported sleep data from 31 elderly subjects followed over a decade. RESULTS With aging, the number of nightly awakenings and daytime napping increased over time. Exploratory analyses suggested that individuals who lived with another person had earlier bedtimes, later wake-up times, and greater daytime napping. Intervening medical comorbidities also appeared to be associated with increased napping. CONCLUSION These results confirm previous cross-sectional studies and suggest a complex biopsychosocial matrix for the timing and placement of sleep in elderly persons within the 24-hour day.
The Notion of L ATEX Profile

The mathematical notion of “category” in the context of markup languages raises the idea of widespread use of reliable automatic translations between markup languages. LTEX profiles, which are dialects of LTEX with a fixed command vocabulary where all macro expansions must be effective in that vocabulary, are suitable domains for defining translations to other profiles and, where sensible, to other markup languages. The construction of reliable translators from several journal-neutral LTEX profiles to many journalspecific LTEX profiles would eliminate the need for technical editing in the production flow for academic journals. 1 Profiled usage of LTEX We now have 15 years of experience with various efforts to translate LTEX into HTML, the language of the World Wide Web. We know that the task is more difficult than it appeared to be to many of us in the mid-1990s. Part of what makes LTEX difficult to translate is that LTEX, contrary to the impression one might gain from an initial reading of Leslie Lamport’s book [4], has never been entirely formalized as a language unto itself independent of any implementation for processing the language. Indeed, the only implementation of LTEX is that originating with Lamport — now maintained by The LTEX Project (http://www.latex-project.org/) — as a very large macro package under TEX. As slide 1 says, success with such translation requires profiled usage of LTEX. Slide 1: Translation of LTEX Question: What works well with translation software? Answer: Profiled usage of LTEX. • Carefully limited command vocabulary. • Tuned translation software. Slide 2 provides a succinct statement of what I wish to suggest. Slide 2: Today’s Suggestion formalize profiled usage
A Novel Approach for Mobile Native App Development Using Ontological Design

Mobile devices are different from desktop based systems in terms of particular execution environment, limited resources, small size and high mobility requirement. Various agile based methodologies are developed for mobile applications such as Mobile-D, Scrum, and MASAM etc. These methodologies are used in building mobile apps. Some of web engineering models or methodologies such as WebE, OOHDM and WebML are also used for developing web apps. But these methodologies are used only for designing web apps but not for mobile apps. These web and mobile apps development models don’t provide structured and semantic representation of data. They don’t provide knowledge of a set of concepts which are relationally arranged with each other. Due to this representation of a particular data is not structured and hence the efficiency of its retrieval is ineffective. These mobile app development methodologies retrieve information from semantic web resources. But they are not concerned with semantic design of data for a mobile native app. Using ontology, data and their properties are arranged and organized in terms of classes, subclasses and object properties. For this propose, Web otology language (OWL) is used for modelling the classes, their subclasses and object properties. OWL DL provides various class axioms and property axioms for modelling data in a structured and semantic manner. The aim of this paper is to develop a model based approach that takes three main components in 3D approach such as context, generic ontology and developments phases for designing mobile application in a semantic way. Depending upon the semantic design, the mobile app will be developed so the user can get meaningful data. This paper also validates the entire 3D model using hypothesis testing against mobile-D and shows its acceptance against mobile-D native app development model.
More than the sum of its members: challenges for group recommender systems

Systems that recommend items to a group of two or more users raise a number of challenging issues that are so far only partly understood. This paper identifies four of these issues and points out that they have been dealt with to only a limited extent in the group recommender systems that have been developed so far. The issues are especially important in settings where group members specify their preferences explicitly and where they are not able to engage in face-to-face interaction. We illustrate some of the solutions discussed with reference to the TRAVEL DECISION FORUM prototype. The issues concern (a) the design of suitable preference elicitation and aggregation methods, in particular nonmanipulable aggregation mechanisms; and (b) ways of making members aware of each other's preferences and motivational orientations, such as the use of animated representatives of group members.
Range of motion measurements diverge with increasing age for COL5A1 genotypes

Increased and decreased joint range of motion (ROM) are modifiable risk factors for musculoskeletal soft‐tissue injuries. Certain heritable disorders of connective tissue, which have a unifying symptom of joint hypermobility, are caused by mutations within the COL5A1 gene. Furthermore, the COL5A1 BstUI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) sequence variant is associated with ROM measurements in a mixed injured/uninjured cohort. The association between COL5A1 BstUI RFLP and sit and reach (SR) ROM in an apparently healthy and physically active cohort was investigated. The SR test was performed on 325 white subjects (204 males). Subjects were also genotyped for the BstUI RFLP (C/T) within the 3′‐untranslated region of the COL5A1 gene. The COL5A1 BstUI RFLP genotype was associated with SR ROM in older (≥35 years) subjects (TT: 225 ± 96 mm, TC: 245 ± 100 mm, CC: 32 ± 108 mm, N=96, P=0.017). Age and COL5A1 BstUI genotype interacted significantly for SR ROM. Sex and COL5A1 genotype accounted for 22.8% of the variance in SR ROM in the older group. The COL5A1 BstUI RFLP is associated with SR ROM, particularly with increasing age and is an important contributing factor to ROM variation, particularly in older, apparently healthy and physically active individuals.
Dynamics of initial subgingival colonization of 'pristine' peri-implant pockets.

BACKGROUND Periodontitis and peri-implantitis are linked to the presence of several key pathogens. The treatment of these infectious processes therefore involves the reduction/eradication of bacteria associated with periodontitis. METHODS This prospective, split-mouth, single-blind study followed the colonization of 'pristine' sulci created in 42 partially edentulous patients during implant surgery (e.g. abutment connection). The hypothesis was that the composition of the maturing subgingival plaque in these 'fresh' peri-implant pockets would soon (within 2 weeks) be comparable to the subgingival microbiota of teeth with similar clinical parameters (reference sites), including the presence of bacteria associated with periodontitis. Per patient, four subgingival plaque samples were taken from shallow and medium pockets around implants (test sites), and teeth within the same quadrant (undisturbed microbiota as control sites), 1, 2, 4, 13, 26 and 78 weeks after abutment connection, respectively. The samples were analysed by either checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization, or cultural techniques, or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for intra-subject comparisons (teeth vs. implant, for comparable probing depths). RESULTS Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization and real-time PCR revealed a complex microbiota (including several pathogenic species) in the peri-implant pockets within 2 weeks after abutment connection. After 7 days, the detection frequency for most species (including the bacteria associated with periodontitis) was already nearly identical in samples from the fresh peri-implant pockets (5% and 20% of the microbiota belonging to red and orange complex, respectively) when compared with samples from the reference teeth. Afterwards (e.g. between weeks 2 and 13), the number of bacteria in peri-implant pockets only slightly increased (+/-0.1 log value), with minor changes in the relative proportions of bacteria associated with periodontitis (8% and 33% of the microbiota belonging to red and orange complex, respectively). Although small differences were seen between teeth and implants at week 2 with cultural techniques, a striking similarity in subgingival microbiota was found with this technique from month 3 on, with nearly identical detection frequencies for bacteria associated with periodontitis for both abutment types. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the initial colonization of peri-implant pockets with bacteria associated with periodontitis occurs within 2 weeks.
SPONTANEOUS DIABETES IN A DOG

The picture is one of a true diabetes mellitus, first attracting attention after miscarriage. Although the G : N ratio sank from 3 : 1 on 10 gm. of nitrogen to 1.7 : 1 after 3 days' fasting, the disease progressed steadily in spite of a long continued carbohydrate-free diet. Together with the usual complications of diabetes, a malignant tumor of the thymus developed, so that after 5 months' observations a slow death was forestalled by chloroform. The most striking feature at autopsy was the large, apparently normal pancreas, which exhibited histologically marked changes in the islands of Langerhans, extreme hydropic degeneration and exhaustion of granules, involving both alpha and beta cells, but especially the latter, and replacement of some islands by fibrous tissue.
Time sparsification of EEG signals in motor-imagery based brain computer interfaces

We propose a method of sparsifying EEG signals in the time domain for common spatial patterns (CSP) which are often used for feature extraction in brain computer interfaces (BCI). For accurate classification, it is important to analyze the period of time when a BCI user performs a mental task. We address this problem by optimizing the CSP cost with a time sparsification that removes unnecessary samples from the classification. We design a cost function that has CSP spatial weights and time window as optimization parameters. To find these parameters, we use alternating optimization. In an experiment on classification of motor-imagery EEG signals, the proposed method increased classification accuracy by 6% averaged over five subjects.
The neogenin/DCC homolog UNC-40 promotes BMP signaling via the RGM protein DRAG-1 in C. elegans

The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) homolog neogenin functions in both netrin- and repulsive guidance molecule (RGM)-mediated axon guidance and in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. How neogenin functions in mediating BMP signaling is not well understood. We show that the sole C. elegans DCC/neogenin homolog UNC-40 positively modulates a BMP-like pathway by functioning in the signal-receiving cells at the ligand/receptor level. This function of UNC-40 is independent of its role in netrin-mediated axon guidance, but requires its association with the RGM protein DRAG-1. We have identified the key residues in the extracellular domain of UNC-40 that are crucial for UNC-40-DRAG-1 interaction and UNC-40 function. Surprisingly, the extracellular domain of UNC-40 is sufficient to promote BMP signaling, in clear contrast to the requirement of its intracellular domain in mediating axon guidance. Mouse neogenin lacking the intracellular domain is also capable of mediating BMP signaling. These findings reveal an unexpected mode of action for neogenin regulation of BMP signaling.
Exosomal miRNAs: Biological Properties and Therapeutic Potential

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding regulatory RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, are master regulators of a wide array of cellular processes. Altered miRNA expression could be a determinant of disease development and/or progression and manipulation of miRNA expression represents a potential avenue of therapy. Exosomes are cell-derived extracellular vesicles that promote cell–cell communication and immunoregulatory functions. These “bioactive vesicles” shuttle various molecules, including miRNAs, to recipient cells. Inappropriate release of miRNAs from exosomes may cause significant alterations in biological pathways that affect disease development, supporting the concept that miRNA-containing exosomes could serve as targeted therapies for particular diseases. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in the biology, function, and therapeutic potential of exosomal miRNAs.
New interpolation method for quadrature encoder signals

This paper presents a new interpolation method suitable for increasing the measurement resolution obtainable from quadrature encoder signals. Based on the existing sinusoidal signals, high-order sinusoids can be derived, from which binary pulses can be generated, which can be decoded using only standard servo controllers for position information. A look-up table, constructed off-line, serves as the inferencing engine for the proposed method. Imperfections in the encoder signals can be directly compensated for in the look-up table, including mean and phase offsets, amplitude difference, and waveform distortion. Simulation and experimental results are provided in this paper.
Rate-Based Equilibria in Collision Channels with Fading

We consider a wireless collision channel, shared by a finite number of users who transmit to a common base station. Each user wishes to minimize its average transmission rate (or power investment), subject to minimum throughput demand. The channel quality between each user and the base station is randomly time-varying, and partially observed by the user through Channel State Information (CSI) signals. Assuming that all users employ stationary, CSI-dependent transmission policies, we investigate the properties of the Nash equilibrium of the resulting game between users. We characterize the feasible region of user's throughput demands, and provide lower bounds on the channel capacity that hold both for symmetric and non-symmetric users. Our equilibrium analysis reveals that, when the throughput demands are feasible, there exist exactly two Nash equilibrium points, with one strictly better than the other (in terms of power investment) for each user. We further demonstrate that the performance gap between the two equilibria may be arbitrarily large. This motivates the need for distributed mechanisms that lead to the better equilibrium. To that end, we suggest a simple greedy (best-response) mechanism, and prove convergence to the better equilibrium. Some important stability properties of this mechanism in face of changing user population are derived as well.
To tweet or not to tweet about schizophrenia systematic reviews (TweetSz): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction The Cochrane Schizophrenia Group (CSzG) has produced and maintained systematic reviews of effects of interventions for schizophrenia and related illness. Each review has a Plain Language Summary (PLS), for those without specialised knowledge, and an abstract, which are freely available from The Cochrane Library (https://summaries.cochrane.org). Increasingly, evidence is being distributed using social media such as Twitter and Weibo (in China) alongside traditional publications. Methods and analysis In a prospective two-arm, parallel, open randomised controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio, we will allocate 170 published systematic reviews into the intervention group (tweeting arm/Weibo arm) versus the control group (non-tweeting arm). Reviews will be stratified by baseline access activity, defined as high (≥19 views per week, n=14), medium (4.3 to 18.99 views per week, n=72) or low (<4.3 views per week, n=84), based on Google Analytics, which will also be used for evaluating outcomes. The intervention group will have three tweets daily using Hootsuite with a slightly different accompanying text (written by CEA and AB) and a shortened Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to the PLS: a) The review title as it appears in summaries.cochrane. org, b) A pertinent extract from results or discussion sections of the abstract and c) An intriguing question or pithy statement related to the evidence in the abstract. The primary outcome will be: total number of visits to a PLS in 7 days following the tweet. Secondary outcomes will include % new visits, bounce rate, pages per visit, visit duration, page views, unique page views, time on page, entrances, exiting behaviour and country distribution. Ethics and dissemination This study does not involve living participants, and uses information available in the public domain. Participants are published systematic reviews, hence, no ethical approval is required. Dissemination will be via Twitter, Weibo and traditional academic means. Trial registration number ISRCTN84658943.
Emotional Abilities: What do different measures predict?

A German-language version of the self-report Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS; Wong & Law, 2002) was evaluated in a sample of university students (N = 411) and a community sample (N = 345). Internal consistencies and four-week test-retest reliability were high. Self and friends’ ratings correlated significantly. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure. WLEIS scales correlated with other self-report measures of emotional abilities and six criteria: self and friends’ reports of life and friendship satisfaction, self-perceived conflict management skills, and self-concept clarity. Associations with three criteria remained significant after controlling for possible confounds. Substantial overlap with the Big Five personality traits raised concerns about construct validity.
Od pierwotnej oralności do wtórnej piśmienności w epoce dominacji internetowego biasu

From primary orality to secondary literacy in the era of the dominance of Internet bias Scientists tend to overestimate writing as the primary form of language, while the oral communication is the primary form of the whole communication. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the crucial role of technologies such as writing in the thought processes and evolution of culture.