Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Interventional Approaches for ALI/ARDS: Cell-Based Gene Therapy

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The present therapeutic strategies for ALI/ARDS including supportive care, pharmacological treatments, and ventilator support are still controversial. More scientists are focusing on therapies involving stem cells, which have self-renewing capabilities and differentiate into multiple cell lineages, and, genomics therapy which has the potential to upregulate expression of anti-inflammatory mediators. Recently, the combination of cell and gene therapy which has been demonstrated to provide additive benefit has opened up a new chapter in therapeutic strategy and provides a basis for the development of an innovative approach for the prevention and treatment of ALI/ARDS.
OS Circular: Internet Client for Reference

OS Circular is a framework for Internet Disk Image Distribution of software for virtual machines, those which offer a "virtualized" common PC environment on any PC. OS images are obtained via the stackable virtual disk "Trusted HTTP-FUSE CLOOP". The system is designed to utilize Mirror servers and Proxies for highly-scalable worldwide deployment. OS Circular easily and efficiently handles both partial and periodic OS updates, including a rollback facility to ease experimentation with new OS images that might not be ready for production. This paper describes the design of OS Circular and the techniques to reduce the network traffic for quick downloading and booting.
Sex differences in the inference and perception of causal relations within a video game

The learning of immediate causation within a dynamic environment was examined. Participants encountered seven decision points in which they needed to choose, which of three possible candidates was the cause of explosions in the environment. Each candidate was firing a weapon at random every few seconds, but only one of them produced an immediate effect. Some participants showed little learning, but most demonstrated increases in accuracy across time. On average, men showed higher accuracy and shorter latencies that were not explained by differences in self-reported prior video game experience. This result suggests that prior reports of sex differences in causal choice in the game are not specific to situations involving delayed or probabilistic causal relations.
Intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients with negative CT perfusion: a case series

Background Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a commonly used modality of neurophysiologic imaging to aid the selection of acute ischemic stroke patients for neuroendovascular intervention by identifying the presence of penumbra versus infarcted brain tissue. However many patients present with evidence of cerebral ischemia with normal CTP, and in that case, should intravenous thrombolytics be given? Purpose To demonstrate if tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)-eligible stroke patients without perfusion defects demonstrated on CTP would benefit from administration of intravenous thrombolytics. Material and Methods We retrospectively identified patients presenting with acute ischemic symptoms who received intravenous tPA (IV-tPA) from January to June 2012 without a perfusion defect on CTP. Clinical and radiographic findings including the NIHSS at presentation, 24 h, and at discharge, symptomatic and asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation, and the modified Rankin score at 30 days were collected. A reduction of NIHSS of greater than 4 points or resolution of symptoms was considered significant. Results Seventeen patients were identified with a mean NIHSS of 8.2 prior to administration of intravenous thrombolytics, 3.5 after 24 h, and 2.5 at discharge. Among them, 13 patients had significant improvement of NIHSS with a mean reduction of 6.15 points at 24 h. One patient initially improved but had delayed hemorrhagic transformation and died. Two patients had improvement in NIHSS but were not significant and two patients had increased in NIHSS at 24 h, although one eventually improved at discharge. There was no asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation. Mean mRS at 3 months is 1.76. Conclusion The failure to identify a perfusion deficit by CTP should not be used as a contraindication for intravenous thrombolytics. Criteria for administration of intravenous thrombolytics should still be based on time from symptom onset as previously published by NINDS.
Allergen-responsive CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Children who Have Outgrown Cow's Milk Allergy

Cow's milk allergy in children is often of short duration, which makes this disorder an interesting clinical model for studies of tolerance to dietary antigens. Here, we studied T cell responses in 21 initially allergic children who, after a milk-free period of >2 mo, had cow's milk reintroduced to their diet. Children who outgrew their allergy (tolerant children) had higher frequencies of circulating CD4+CD25+ T cells and decreased in vitro proliferative responses to bovine β-lactoglobulin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared with children who maintained clinically active allergy. No significant difference in proliferative activity stimulated by the polyclonal mitogen phytohemagglutinin was observed between the two groups. Depletion of CD25+ cells from PBMCs of tolerant children led to a fivefold increase in in vitro proliferation against β-lactoglobulin. This suggests that tolerance is associated with the appearance of circulating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that are capable of suppressing the effector T cells generated 1 wk after reintroduction of cow's milk. The suppressive function of the CD4+CD25+ Treg cells was shown to be partly cell contact dependent. Collectively, our study provides human data to suggest that mucosal induction of tolerance against dietary antigens is associated with the development of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells.
Circularly Polarized Transmitarray With Sequential Rotation in Ka-Band

We present here the design and demonstration of a circularly polarized (CP) transmitarray antenna operating in Ka-band and illuminated by a linearly polarized (LP) source. The proposed design is based on a CP unit-cell with simulated insertion loss of 0.2 dB at 30 GHz. In order to improve the axial ratio (AR) bandwidth, the sequential rotation technique is applied to the full array configuration. A model based on a hybrid in-house simulation tool is also proposed to predict accurately the array performance. The realized prototype, formed by 400 unit-cells, has 1 bit of phase resolution. The measured broadside gain is 22.8 dBi at 30 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 20% in right-handed CP (RHCP). The obtained 3-dB AR bandwidth of 24.4% is comparable with higher resolution designs.
Ivermectin: pharmacology and therapeutic applications

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug with a broad spectrum of activity, high efficacy as well as a wide margin of safety. It belongs to the family of avermectins. It binds to glutamate-gated chloride iron channels, which are present in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, and causes the paralysis and death of the parasite. Ivermectin is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and used worldwide to treat patients with onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis. It is also used against a wide range of endoparasites (nematodes) and ectoparasites (insects, acarine) of animals and humans.
The Learning Trajectory Of Musical Memory: From Schematic Processing Of Novel Melodies To Robust Musical Memory Representations

2019–present Research Scientist III, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Principal Investigator, Music Cognition Group Social & Cognitive Computing Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Singapore 2018–present Adjunct Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music 2017–2019 Research Scientist II, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Principal Investigator, Music Cognition Group Social & Cognitive Computing Department, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), Singapore 2017–present Scientific Consultant, X-System Limited, London, UK 2015–2017 Senior Research Scientist, X-System Limited, London, UK 2013–2016 Postdoctoral Researcher, Queen Mary University of London Computational Creativity Laboratory (Professor Geraint Wiggins) Cognitive Science Group, Centre for Digital Music School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science 2014–2015 Research Associate, Bridge Collaboration Ltd (now TreeHouse Innovation), London, UK 2012–2013 Postdoctoral Researcher, Queen Mary University of London Music Cognition Laboratory (Dr. Marcus Pearce) Cognitive Science Group, Centre for Digital Music School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Expression of E-cadherin in primary prostate cancer: correlation with clinical features.

OBJECTIVE To correlate the immunohistochemically detected loss of E-cadherin expression with patient age, clinical and biological variables, and to investigate the prognostic value of these variables for the relapse-free and overall survival of patients with different stages of newly diagnosed prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-seven patients (median age 63 years, range 48-78) undergoing radical prostatectomy for the treatment of primary prostate cancer were assessed to determine whether age, tumour stage, histological grading, serum levels of prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase, regional lymph node status and E-cadherin expression were prognostic factors for relapse-free and overall survival. RESULTS With a median (range) follow-up of 54 (3-193) months, there was no independent prognostic value of decreased E-cadherin expression for the long-term or recurrence-free survival of patients, using a threshold value of 40% for the relative amount of positively stained tumour cells, or for any other threshold value calculated (25%, 60% or 75%). However, comparing a follow-up of 16 months in patients with < 40% positivity and 46 months in patients with > or = 34% positivity, those patients retaining E-cadherin expression had a significantly longer recurrence-free interval after radical prostatectomy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The value of E-cadherin expression as an additional independent prognostic variable for patients with primary prostate cancer is questionable.
Self-Tuning Resonant Control of a Seven-Leg Back-to-Back Converter for Interfacing Variable-Speed Generators to Four-Wire Loads

This paper considers the control of a seven-leg back-to-back voltage source inverter arrangement, feeding a four-wire load from a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) operating at variable speed. The PMSG is controlled using a sensorless model reference adaptive system to obtain the rotor position angle. The seven-leg converter is regulated using resonant controllers at the load side and self-tuning resonant controllers at the generator side. The control system is augmented by a feedforward compensation algorithm that improves the dynamic performance during transients. Experimental results, which are obtained from a prototype, are presented and discussed.
Molecular mediators involved in Ferulago campestris essential oil effects on osteoblast metabolism

This study was performed to investigate the effects of the essential oil obtained from fruits of Ferulago campestris (FC) on primary calvarial mouse osteoblasts (COBs). The composition of the oil was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (78.8–80.3%), with myrcene (33.4–39.7%), α‐pinene (22.7–23.0%), and γ‐terpinene (8.1–10.9%) as the major components. Owing to their lipophilic properties, these compounds easily cross cell membranes and affect bone cell function by stimulating or inhibiting specific molecular pathways. We demonstrated, for the first time, that FC oil increased osteoblast proliferation by MAP kinase activation; in addition, oils enhanced the protein kinase AKT, which is known to be critical for control of cell survival, also in presence of the MEK‐1 inhibitor PD98059, and this effect was accompanied with a down‐regulation of pro‐apototic molecules such as Bax and caspases. Interestingly, FC oil significantly increased Runx2 (Runx2/Pebp2αA/AML3) and phospho‐Smad1/5/8 protein level, the master regulators of osteoblast differentiation, and their nuclear localization. PD98059 pre‐treatment further improved Runx2/phospho‐Smads up‐regulation. Thus, FC oils influence osteoblast metabolism probably using alternative signaling pathways depending also on the maturation stage of the cells. Taken together our data delineate a positive function of FC oil on osteoblast metabolism, suggesting its possible use as a dietetic integrator in the prevention or in the therapy of pathologies due to impaired bone remodeling. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3742–3754, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conciliation training on the move

Résumé: Cet article est focalisé sur une expérience de mobile learning pour la formation de conciliateurs e de ceux qui veulent devenir conciliateurs. Dans la première partie de l’article nous introduirons la conciliation autant que sujet des nos cours, dans la deuxième partie de l’article nous décrirons nôtre expérience de mobile learning dans le détail. Le Nomadis Lab de l’Université de Milano-Bicocca a réalisé cette expérience de mobile learning avec l’aide de deux conciliateurs qui ont contribué à la création des tous les supports. Les deux conciliateurs ont coopéré et ils ont fait la supervision à la création des contenues de la formation dans tous leur parties.
Minimum SINR Maximization for Multiuser MIMO Downlink with Per BS Power Constraints

The joint cooperative processing of transmitted signal from several multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) base station (BS) antenna heads is considered for users located within a soft handover (SHO) region. The mathematical framework for the SHO based MIMO system is derived and the joint design of linear transmit and receive beamformers in a MIMO multiuser transmission subject to per BS power constraints is considered. Solution for the maximization of the minimum weighted SINR per data stream criterion is proposed. The proposed algorithm is shown to provide very efficient solutions despite of the fact that the global optimum cannot be guaranteed due to the non-convexity of the problem. Moreover, a less complex but still efficient allocation method based on zero forcing transmission is provided for the same optimization criterion.
Authentication and authorization: Domain specific Role Based Access Control using Ontology

Access control technologies are being used today in various organizations for assuring the secure and authorized access to the sensitive data or resources. Many technologies have emerged from the past like Discretionary Access Control (DAC) and Mandatory Access Control (MAC). But these technologies had restrictions associated with them to be used for all organizations in commercial arena. The Role Based Access Control (RBAC) has emerged some years back and has become the most widely used technology across organizations for controlling the access. The administration and management of privileges becomes easy as roles can be updated without updating the privileges for every user on an individual basis. In this paper we are implementing Role Based access Control (RBAC) for University domain using Ontology. Roles are implemented in the form of classes having permissions associated with them, in turn making the process of administration and management of access control easy. Two step accesses are provided, first is Authentication and second is Authorization.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Missing Data Approaches in eHealth Research : Simulation Study and a Tutorial for Nonmathematically Inclined Researchers

Background Missing data is a common nuisance in eHealth research: it is hard to prevent and may invalidate research findings. Objective In this paper several statistical approaches to data “missingness” are discussed and tested in a simulation study. Basic approaches (complete case analysis, mean imputation, and last observation carried forward) and advanced methods (expectation maximization, regression imputation, and multiple imputation) are included in this analysis, and strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Methods The dataset used for the simulation was obtained from a prospective cohort study following participants in an online self-help program for problem drinkers. It contained 124 nonnormally distributed endpoints, that is, daily alcohol consumption counts of the study respondents. Missingness at random (MAR) was induced in a selected variable for 50% of the cases. Validity, reliability, and coverage of the estimates obtained using the different imputation methods were calculated by performing a bootstrapping simulation study. Results PubMed related articles » See reviews. | » See all. PubMed articles by these authors
Functional Quality of Life Following Open Valve Surgery in High‐Risk Octogenarians

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the midterm functional quality of life in octogenarians after open valvular surgery. Methods: One hundred and eighty‐five consecutive patients above age 80 had valvular surgery with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Using the Karnofsky Performance score and Barthel Index, patients were evaluated for functional autonomy, living disposition, and leisure activity by a single telephone interview. Subgroup analysis was performed on the 49 cases of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Results: Mean age of octogenarians undergoing valvular surgery was 82.7 years (range 80 to 92 years). Actuarial survival at one and three years was 71% and 59%, respectively, for the entire group, compared to 84% and 71%, respectively, for isolated AVRs. After a mean follow‐up of 38 months there were 110 survivors (59.5%). Among survivors, 66% were autonomous, 26% semiautonomous, and 8% deemed dependent. Seventy‐two percent were living at home, 19% in a residence, and 9% in a supervised nursing facility. Over 90% of patients pursued leisure activities in the social, cognitive, and physical domains. Conclusions: Valvular surgery in high‐risk octogenarians, can be performed with acceptable mortality rates, and provide patients with functional autonomy and an excellent quality of life. (J Card Surg 2012;27:408‐414)
Becoming Intercultural: An Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross-Cultural Adaptation

PART ONE: THE BACKGROUND Introduction Existing Approaches to Cross-Cultural Adaptation PART TWO: THE THEORY Organizing Principles The Process of Cross-Cultural Adaptation The Structure of Cross-Cultural Adaptation PART THREE: ELABORATION OF THE THEORY Personal Communication Social Communication Environment Predisposition Intercultural Transformation PART FOUR: THE THEORY AND THE REALITY Research Considerations Practical Insights
Relative role of genetic complement abnormalities in sporadic and familial aHUS and their impact on clinical phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal impairment. Most childhood cases are caused by Shiga toxin-producing bacteria. The other form, atypical HUS (aHUS), accounts for 10% of cases and has a poor prognosis. Genetic complement abnormalities have been found in aHUS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS We screened 273 consecutive patients with aHUS for complement abnormalities and studied their role in predicting clinical phenotype and response to treatment. We compared mutation frequencies and localization and clinical outcome in familial (82) and sporadic (191) cases. RESULTS In >70% of sporadic and familial cases, gene mutations, disease-associated factor H (CFH) polymorphisms, or anti-CFH autoantibodies were found. Either mutations or CFH polymorphisms were also found in the majority of patients with secondary aHUS, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Familial cases showed a higher prevalence of mutations in SCR20 of CFH and more severe disease than sporadic cases. Patients with CFH or THBD (thrombomodulin) mutations had the earliest onset and highest mortality. Membrane-cofactor protein (MCP) mutations were associated with the best prognosis. Plasma therapy induced remission in 55 to 80% of episodes in patients with CFH, C3, or THBD mutations or autoantibodies, whereas patients with CFI (factor I) mutations were poor responders. aHUS recurred frequently after kidney transplantation except for patients with MCP mutations. CONCLUSIONS Results underline the need of genetic screening for all susceptibility factors as part of clinical management of aHUS and for identification of patients who could safely benefit from kidney transplant.
The Effect of Large Investors on Asset Quality: Evidence from Subprime Mortgage Securities

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs), the dominant investors in subprime mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 crisis, substantively affected collateral composition in this market. Mortgages included in securities designed for the GSEs performed better than those backing other securities in the same deals, holding observable risk constant. Consistent with the transmission of private information, these effects are concentrated in low-documentation loans and for issuers that were highly dependent on the GSEs and were corporate affiliates of the mortgage originators. Additional analysis of yield spreads shows that these performance differences were not reflected in prices.
Assessment Scales in Depression, Mania and Anxiety

1. Introduction 2. Scales for Depression Clinician Rated Patient Rated 3. Scales for Anxiety 4. Scales for General Assessment Clinician Rated Patient Rated 5. How to Use Rating Scales Importance of monitoring outcome Strengths and limitations of using scales Clinician vs. patient rated scales How to incorporate scales in clinical practice 6. Appendix: What to Use and When Index
Modulating Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity Using Micropatterning Technique

In our previous work, we have reported that enforced elongation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) through micropatterning promoted their myocardial lineage commitment. However, whether this approach is robust enough to retain the commitment when subsequently subjected to different conditions remains unsolved. This de-differentiation, if any, would have significant implication on the application of these myocardial-like hMSCs either as tissue engineered product or in stem cell therapy. Herein, we investigated the robustness of micropatterning induced differentiation by evaluating the retention of myocardial differentiation in patterned hMSCs when challenged with non-myocardial differentiation cues. Altogether, we designed four groups of experiments; 1) Patterned hMSCs cultured in normal growth medium serving as a positive control; 2) Patterned hMSCs cultured in normal growth medium for 14 days followed by osteogenic and adipogenic media for next 7 days (to study the robustness of the effect of micropatterning); 3) Patterned hMSCs (initially grown in normal growth medium for 14 days) trypsinized and recultured in different induction media for next 7 days (to study the robustness of the effect of micropatterning without any shape constrain) and 4) Patterned hMSCs cultured in osteogenic and adipogenic media for 14 days (to study the effects of biochemical cues versus biophysical cues). It was found that hMSCs that were primed to commit to myocardial lineage (Groups 2 and 3) were able to maintain myocardial lineage commitment despite subsequent culturing in osteogenic and adipogenic media. However, for hMSCs that were not primed (Group 4), the biochemical cues seem to dominate over the biophysical cue in modulating hMSCs differentiation. It demonstrates that cell shape modulation is not only capable of inducing stem cell differentiation but also ensuring the permanent lineage commitment.