Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum procalcitonin level for prediction of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in urinary tract infection.

INTRODUCTION Procalcitonin is a reliable and specific marker of bacterial infections such as urinary tract infection. Some authors suggest measurement of serum procalcitonin as a predictor of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). We investigated this association in children admitted because of acute pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight children with the first febrile urinary tract infection were included. Twelve patients had low-grade VUR, 9 patients had high-grade VUR, and 27 patients did not have any VUR in their imaging assessment. RESULTS There was a significant association between high-grade VUR and higher levels of procalcitonin (P = .04). The sensitivity of a procalcitonin level of 0.31 ng/mL or greater was 90% and the specificity was 32% for diagnosis of high-grade VUR. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that serum procalcitonin concentration is a sensitive and promising predictor of high-grade VUR.
Neutrophils drive alveolar macrophage IL-1β release during respiratory viral infection

Background Alveolar macrophages are sentinels of the airways that must exhibit immune restraint to innocuous antigens but elicit a robust inflammatory response to pathogenic threats. How distinction between these dichotomous functions is controlled is poorly defined. Neutrophils are the first responders to infection, and we hypothesised that they may free alveolar macrophages from their hyporesponsive state, promoting their activation. Activation of the inflammasome and interleukin (IL)-1β release is a key early inflammatory event that must be tightly regulated. Thus, the role of neutrophils in defining inflammasome activation in the alveolar macrophage was assessed. Methods Mice were infected with the X31 strain of influenza virus and the role of neutrophils in alveolar macrophage activation established through administration of a neutrophil-depleting (1A8) antibody. Results Influenza elicited a robust IL-1β release that correlated (r=0.6849; p<0.001) with neutrophil infiltrate and was ablated by neutrophil depletion. Alveolar macrophages were shown to be the prominent source of IL-1β during influenza infection, and virus triggered the expression of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and pro-IL-1β in these cells. However, subsequent activation of the inflammasome complex and release of mature IL-1β from alveolar macrophages were critically dependent on the provision of a secondary signal, in the form of antimicrobial peptide mCRAMP, from infiltrating neutrophils. Conclusions Neutrophils are critical for the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in alveolar macrophages during respiratory viral infection. Accordingly, we rationalise that neutrophils are recruited to the lung to confront a viable pathogenic threat and subsequently commit alveolar macrophages to a pro-inflammatory phenotype to combat infection.
Free Trial or No Free Trial: Optimal Software Product Design with Network Externalities

Software free trial is a common practice that has both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it helps firms to exploit the positive network externalities by building up the total user base; on the other hand, it cannibalizes partial demand for the commercial software. The objective of my dissertation is to determine the conditions under which the firms should introduce the free trial and how should the firms design the quality of the free trial optimally. The impact of competition on free trial decisions is analyzed in the end.
Default-mode network connectivity in cognitively unimpaired patients with Parkinson disease

ABSTRACT Objective: Using resting-state (RS) fMRI, we investigated the functional integrity of the default-mode network (DMN) in cognitively unimpaired patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: RS fMRI at 3 T was collected in 16 cognitively unimpaired patients with PD and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Single-subject and group-level independent component analysis was used to investigate differences in functional connectivity within the DMN in patients with PD and healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed using BrainVoyager QX. In addition, we used voxel-based morphometry to test whether between-group differences in RS functional connectivity were related to structural abnormalities. Results: Patients with PD compared with controls showed a decreased functional connectivity of the right medial temporal lobe and bilateral inferior parietal cortex within the DMN. Although patients with PD were cognitively unimpaired, the decreased DMN connectivity significantly correlated with cognitive parameters but not with disease duration, motor impairment, or levodopa therapy. The analysis of regional volume differences did not reveal any differences in local gray matter between patients and controls. Conclusions: Our findings revealed a functional disruption of the DMN in cognitively unimpaired patients with PD, in the absence of significant structural differences between patients and controls. We hypothesize that a dysfunction of the DMN connectivity may have a role in the development of cognitive decline in PD.
Dynamic reconfiguration of the language network preceding onset of speech in picture naming

Language production is a complex neural process that requires the interplay between multiple specialized cortical regions. We investigated modulations in large‐scale cortical networks underlying preparation for speech production by contrasting cortico‐cortical coherence for overt and silent picture naming in an all‐to‐all connectivity analysis. To capture transient, frequency‐specific changes in functional connectivity we analyzed the magnetoencephalography data in two consecutive 300‐ms time windows. Within the first 300 ms following picture onset beta frequency coherence was increased for overt naming in a network of regions comprising the bilateral parieto‐temporal junction and medial cortices, suggesting that overt articulation modifies selection processes involved in speech planning. In the late time window (300–600 ms after picture onset) beta‐range coherence was enhanced in a network that included the ventral sensorimotor and temporal cortices. Coherence in the gamma band was simultaneously reduced between the ventral motor cortex and supplementary motor area, bilaterally. The results suggest functionally distinct roles for beta (facilitatory) and gamma (suppressive) band interactions in speech production, with strong involvement of the motor cortex in both frequency bands. Overall, a striking difference in functional connectivity between the early and late time windows was observed, revealing the dynamic nature of large‐scale cortical networks that support language and speech. Our results demonstrate that as the naming task evolves in time, the global connectivity patterns change, and that these changes occur (at least) on the time‐scale of a few hundred milliseconds. More generally, these results bear implications for how we view large‐scale neural networks underlying task performance. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1202–1216, 2015. © 2014 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A networked multisensor system for ambient assisted living application

The paper proposes new technologies to support independence and engagement in elderly people living alone at home in the framework of a new UE Integrated Project. Aim of the study is the development of a light technological infrastructure to be integrated in the homes of old people at reduced costs, allowing the detection of critical health situations. In particular a reliable fall detector is presented, with focus on the protection and assistance to the elderly in the home environment. The integrated fall detector prototype includes two different sensors: a 3D Time-of-Flight range camera and a wearable MEMS accelerometer. The devices are connected in a networked configuration with custom interface circuits to a central PC that collects and processes the information with a multi-threading approach. For each sensor, an optimized algorithm for fall-detection has been developed and benchmarked on a collected multimodal database. This work is expected to lead to a multi-sensory approach employing appropriate fusion techniques aiming to improve system efficiency and reliability.
On quantum limit of optical communications: Concatenated codes and joint-detection receivers

When classical information is sent over a channel with quantum-state modulation alphabet, such as the free-space optical (FSO) channel, attaining the ultimate (Holevo) limit to channel capacity requires the receiver to make joint measurements over long codeword blocks. In recent work, we showed a receiver for a pure-state channel that can attain the ultimate capacity by applying a single-shot optical (unitary) transformation on the received codeword state followed by simultaneous (but separable) projective measurements on the single-modulation-symbol state spaces. In this paper, we study the ultimate tradeoff between photon efficiency and spectral efficiency for the FSO channel. Based on our general results for the pure-state quantum channel, we show some of the first concrete examples of codes and laboratory-realizable joint-detection optical receivers that can achieve fundamentally higher (superadditive) channel capacity than receivers that physically detect each modulation symbol one at a time, as is done by all conventional (coherent or direct-detection) optical receivers.
An in vitro screening assay for inhibitors of proinflammatory mediators in herbal extracts using human synoviocyte cultures

SummaryTumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and prostaglandin (PG)E-2 play a critical role in the pathophysiology of arthritis. Tumor necrosis factor-α mediates induction of other cytokines, COX-2, PGs, and metallo-proteinases, which leads to cartilage degradation. We developed an in vitro human synoviocyte assay system for screening inhibitors of proinflammatory mediators in herbal extracts. Synoviocytes (5×105 cells/well) obtained during primary knee replacement from osteoarthritic patients were incubated with: control media alone or ginger extract (hydroxy-methoxy-phenyl compounds [HAPC]: EV.EXT® 77), 1 h before activation with 1 ng/ml TNF-α, 10 ng/ml interleukin-1β, or control media alone at 5% carbon dioxide, 37°C. Cell viability, TNF-α, COX-2, PGE-2, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and inhibitory subunit I kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) expression were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and Western blots. Ginger extract-HAPC (100 μg/ml) significantly inhibited the activation of TNF-α and COX-2 expression in human synoviocytes as well as suppressed production of TNF-α and PGE-2. Inhibition of TNF-α and COX-2 activation was accompanied by suppression of NF-κB and IκB-α induction. Using our in vitro assay, we discovered that the ginger extract blocks activation of proinflammatory mediators and its transcriptional regulator suggesting its mode of action. These observations indicate that ginger extract-HAPC offers a complementary and alternative approach to modulate the inflammatory process involved in arthritis.
Addressing the Resource Bottleneck to Create Large-Scale Annotated Texts

Large-scale linguistically annotated resources have become available in recent years. This is partly due to sophisticated automatic and semiautomatic approaches that work well on specific tasks such as part-of-speech tagging. For more complex linguistic phenomena like anaphora resolution there are no tools that result in high-quality annotations without massive user intervention. Annotated corpora of the size needed for modern computational linguistics research cannot however be created by small groups of hand annotators. The ANAWIKI project strikes a balance between collecting high-quality annotations from experts and applying a game-like approach to collecting linguistic annotation from the general Web population. More generally, ANAWIKI is a project that explores to what extend expert annotations can be substituted by a critical mass of non-expert judgements.
Performance Analysis and Optimization of TDMA Network With Wireless Energy Transfer

With wireless energy transfer capability, network nodes can rely on the energy supplied wirelessly from a network hub or access point. As a result, there is no need for the nodes to replace or recharge their battery using any wire. This paper considers such a scenario and proposes the performance analysis and optimization framework for the network operating on a TDMA protocol with wireless energy transfer. We first present the analysis and optimization of an individual node in the network. The objective is to maximize the network utility defined in terms of throughput and the number of packets in the queue such that the packet loss probability is maintained below the threshold. We solve the optimization problem to obtain an optimal policy to operate the node (i.e, to be active or inactive). We next formulate the network optimization problem for the network hub. The problem can be solved to determine the amount of wireless energy transfer to meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements of all the nodes in the network. We reveal the special structure of the problem, that we can decompose the network optimization into small subproblems. These subproblems can be solved efficiently using the standard algorithm.
Predictors of Latino Mothers' Involvement in their Children's Education

Parental involvement has a major influence on students' academic and overall success; however, Latino parents tend to be less involved than non-Latino parents. Additionally, Latino students have higher dropout rates than other ethnic groups, and their continued underachievement is of great concern to many educators. The purpose of this study is to better understand Latino mothers' involvement and identify the precursor factors that may influence these mothers' involvement in their children's education. Specifically, the study investigated specific family factors that may potentially impact Latino mothers' involvement at school and at home (i.e., mothers' number of years residing in the U.S., mothers' English proficiency, mothers' level of education, and mothers' mental health). Parental involvement and family factors were evaluated using a demographic parent interview, while mothers' mental health was evaluated using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). All participants (N = 165) were Latino mothers of children who attended Head Start programs or kindergarten in public schools in five counties in Florida. Hierarchical linear models were utilized to evaluate the relationship between the different family factors and Latino mothers' involvement at school and at home. Results indicated that at school involvement was correlated to some extent with mothers' English proficiency, mothers' education level, mothers' anxiety (panic), mothers' hostility, and mothers' paranoid ideation. Additionally, findings suggested that mothers' English proficiency increased the predicted at school involvement score for the participants. The remainder predictors were not found to be statistically significant; thus further research must be conducted to examine and better understand parental involvement of Latino parents given that these parents are less likely to become involved in their children's education.
Sweat testing: can the conductivity analysis take the place of the classic Gibson and Cooke technique?

which still is considered the gold standard for sweat testing, has been repeatedly criticized because of its complexity, which restricts access: the complications of this technique include the need to elute the sweat from filter paper or gauze used to collect it, weighing samples twice before and after collection and subsequent dilution for chemical analysis designed to detect the two electrolytes whose concentration is abnormally high in CF, namely chloride and sodium. For this reason, attempts have been made to set up a simpler test to measure electrolyte concentration in sweat. Qualitative and semiquantitative tests, such as agar plate or paper imprint testing, as well as those that measured chloride concentration directly on the skin,
Detecting Policy Violations through Traffic Analysis

Restrictions are commonly placed on the permitted uses of network protocols in the interests of security. These restrictions can sometimes be difficult to enforce. As an example, a permitted protocol can be used as a carrier for another protocol not otherwise permitted. However, if the observable behaviour of the protocol exhibits differences between permitted and non-permitted uses, it is possible to detect inappropriate use. We consider SSH, the secure shell protocol. This is an encrypted protocol with several uses. We attempt firstly to classify SSH sessions according to some different types of traffic for which the sessions have been used, and secondly, given a policy that permits SSH use for interactive traffic, to identify when a session appears to have been used for some other purpose
Remembering as an observer: How is autobiographical memory retrieval vantage perspective linked to depression?

It has long been noted that the emotional impact of an autobiographical memory is associated with the vantage perspective from which it is recalled (Freud, 1950). Memories recalled from a first-person “field” perspective are phenomenologically rich, while third-person “observer” perspective memories contain more descriptive but less affective detail (Nigro & Neisser, 1983). Although there is some evidence that depressed individuals retrieve more observer memories than non-depressed individuals (e.g., Kuyken & Howell, 2006), little is known of the cognitive mechanisms associated with observer memories in depression. At pre- and post-treatment, 123 patients with a history of recurrent depression completed self-report measures and the autobiographical memory task (AMT). Participants also indicated the vantage perspective of the memories recalled on the AMT. Observer memories were less vivid, older, and more frequently rehearsed. The tendency to retrieve observer perspective memories was associated with greater negative self-evaluation, lower dispositional mindfulness, and greater use of avoidance. Furthermore, participants who recalled more field perspective memories at pre-treatment had lower levels of post-treatment depression, controlling for pre-treatment levels of depression and trait rumination. We apply contemporary accounts from social and cognitive psychology, and propose potential mechanisms that link the tendency to retrieve observer perspective memories to depression.
Une approche socio-écologique des services écosystémiques. Cas d'étude des prairies subalpines du Lautaret

Le concept de services ecosystemiques est de plus en plus utilise par differentes disciplines scientifiques et pris en compte dans les spheres politiques pour attirer l'attention sur les benefices que l'Homme recoit des ecosystemes. Ce concept mene a etudier les liens complexes entre l'homme et son environnement. Cependant, la majorite des recherches actuelles restent theorique et peu de cas d'etude mettent a l'epreuve ce concept dans une demarche transdisciplinaire. Cette these a donc pour objectif principal de combler ce manque en explorant et analysant les dynamiques et processus des services ecosystemiques en terme d'offre et de demande, y compris les effets de retroactions, par une approche socio-ecologique dans un contexte de changement planetaire. A cette fin, une etude transdisciplinaire a ete conduite sur les prairies subalpines de la commune de Villar d'Arene (Hautes-Alpes) ou l'elevage ovin et bovin domine. Des techniques de modelisations statistiques et de systemes d'informations geographiques ont ete combinees pour analyser la fourniture potentielle de services ecosystemiques, conduisant a une cartographie de ceux-ci a l'echelle du paysage. La demande en services ecosystemiques a quant a elle ete etudiee par l'intermediaire d'entretiens individuels et de groupes avec les acteurs locaux ainsi que des jeux de role avec les eleveurs de la commune. La co-construction de scenarios prospectifs avec les acteurs locaux ont permis d'etudier l'evolution de l'offre et la demande en services a un horizon 2030.
Color in Context: Psychological Context Moderates the Influence of Red on Approach- and Avoidance-Motivated Behavior

Background A basic premise of the recently proffered color-in-context model is that the influence of color on psychological functioning varies as a function of the psychological context in which color is perceived. Some research has examined the appetitive and aversive implications of viewing the color red in romance- and achievement-relevant contexts, respectively, but in all existing empirical work approach and avoidance behavior has been studied in separate tasks and separate experiments. Research is needed to directly test whether red influences the same behavior differently depending entirely on psychological context. Methodology/Principal Findings The present experiment was designed to put this premise to direct test in romance- and achievement-relevant contexts within the same experimental paradigm involving walking behavior. Our results revealed that exposure to red (but not blue) indeed has differential implications for walking behavior as a function of the context in which the color is perceived. Red increased the speed with which participants walked to an ostensible interview about dating (a romance-relevant context), but decreased the speed with which they walked to an ostensible interview about intelligence (an achievement-relevant context). Conclusions/Significance These results are the first direct evidence that the influence of red on psychological functioning in humans varies by psychological context. Our findings contribute to both the literature on color psychology and the broader, emerging literature on the influence of context on basic psychological processes.