Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-Specific ADCC Improves After Antiretroviral Therapy and Correlates With Normalization of the NK Cell Phenotype

Background:Natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and function have recently gained much attention as playing crucial roles in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). We investigated NK cell function, as measured by ADCC, in HIV-1–positive individuals before and 6 months after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. Method:The ability of antibodies and NK cells to mediate ADCC was investigated separately and in combination in an autologous model. The NK cell subset distribution and NK cell phenotype (ie, expression of maturation and activation markers within NK cell subsets) were analyzed. Results:The ability of NK cells to mediate ADCC was significantly increased after only 6 months of HAART and was not explained by a normalization of NK cell subsets (CD56dim CD16pos and CD56neg CD16pos NK cells) but rather by normalization in the frequency of NK cells expressing CCR7 and CD27. For individuals with no increase in ADCC after 6 months of HAART, the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp46 was downregulated. The ability of antibodies to mediate ADCC alone and in combination in an autologous model was not improved. Conclusions:HAART improves the ability of NK cells to mediate ADCC after 6 months. This improvement does not correlate with general immune restoration, as measured by CD4+ T-cell counts, but rather to a decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing CCR7 and CD27.
Optimal Fixed Gain Linear Processing for Amplify-and-Forward Multichannel Relaying

In this correspondence, we consider the problem of linear processing design at the relay for amplified-and-forward relaying in a multichannel system. Assuming a fixed-gain power amplification at the relay, we study the linear processing structure to maximize the end-to-end achievable rate. For both the cases of relaying with or without direct path, we show that the optimal unitary processing matrix is of permutation structure, i.e., channel pairing is optimal. Furthermore, in each case, the explicit optimal channel pairing strategy is obtained based on sorting certain function of received SNR over the incoming and outgoing subchannels. This result is especially noticeable for the case with direct path, where the optimal linear processing was not known before under any power allocation. Specifically, we show that the pairing is according to the ordering of the relative SNR ratio on a subchannel over first hop to its direct path, and that of SNR strengths on subchannels over the second hop. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the achievable gain of optimal channel pairing over non-optimal linear processing or no-pairing cases. It is also shown that the performance of channel pairing under the simple fixed-gain power allocation outperforms that under the traditional uniform power allocation.
Diversity of Ferrous Iron-Oxidizing, Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria and their Involvement in Oxygen-Independent Iron Cycling

In previous studies, three different strains (BrG1, BrG2, and BrG3) of ferrous iron-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing bacteria were obtained from freshwater sediments. All three strains were facultative anaerobes and utilized a variety of organic substrates and molecular hydrogen with nitrate as electron acceptor. In this study, analyses of 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain BrG1 was affiliated with the genus Acidovorax, strain BrG2 with the genus Aquabacterium, and strain BrG3 with the genus Thermomonas. Previously, bacteria similar to these three strains were detected with molecular techniques in MPN dilution series for ferrous iron-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing bacteria inoculated with different freshwater sediment samples. In the present study, further molecular analyses of these MPN cultures indicated that the ability to oxidize ferrous iron with nitrate is widespread amongst the Proteobacteria and may also be found among the Gram-positive bacteria with high GC content of DNA. Nitrate-reducing bacteria oxidized ferrous iron to poorly crystallized ferrihydrite that was suitable as an electron acceptor for ferric iron-reducing bacteria. Biologically produced ferrihydrite and synthetically produced ferrihydrite were both well suited as electron acceptors in MPN dilution cultures. Repeated anaerobic cycling of iron was shown in a coculture of ferrous iron-oxidizing bacteria and the ferric iron-reducing bacterium Geobacter bremensis. The results indicate that iron can be cycled between its oxidation states +II and +III by microbial activities in anoxic sediments.
A new method of ultrasonic featured-scan for composite materials

A new method of ultrasonic featured-scan using power estimation based on ultrasonic scattering and absorbing was put forward. An experiment was conducted on a specimen made of silicon carbide particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites, from which the bottom echoes can hardly be acquired. The results show that the new method is effective to the testing of this kind of composites, which cannot be achieved by traditional ultrasonic C-scan and F-scan.
Fully automated Web services orchestration in a resource retrieval scenario

We propose a framework and polynomial algorithms for semantic-based automated Web service orchestration, fully compliant with semantic Web technologies. The approach exploits the recently proposed concept abduction inference service in description logics to solve concept covering problems. We present how the proposed approach deals with not exact solutions, computing an approximate orchestration with respect to an agent request modeled using a significant subset of OWL-DL.
MIV : A Cardiac Image Visualizer

In this paper, we present a Medical Image Visualizer (MIV) targeting cardiac SPECT images. The visualizer is built fully on open source image processing and visualization software. The main features of the visualizer are: a semiautomatic procedure for segmenting challenging cardiac images and an implementation of the polar map visualization (Bull’s eye diagram) that follows recent recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA). The features mentioned above and the architecture design of the software make MIV a valuable research tool for the analysis of cardiac SPECT studies. Keywords-computer vision; image processing; polar map;
Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma of the Lung: Potential Role of Low-Grade Malignancy

We report here 2 cases of multiple metastatic lung tumors after hysterectomy for leiomyoma. One patient was diagnosed as having a benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML), while the other patient simultaneously developed a left pelvic tumor and multiple lung tumors, both of which were finally diagnosed as low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs). The metastatic potential of BML is not completely understood, but previously reported cases of BML may include low-grade ESS, which may play a significant role in the metastasis of benign uterine tumors.
Paediatric clinical pharmacology in the UK

Paediatric clinical pharmacology is the scientific study of medicines in children and is a relatively new subspecialty in paediatrics in the UK. Training encompasses both the study of the effectiveness of drugs in children (clinical trials) and aspects of drug toxicity (pharmacovigilance). Ethical issues in relation to clinical trials and also studies of the pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism in children are crucial. Paediatric patients require formulations that young children in particular are able to take. The scientific evidence generated from clinical trials, pharmacokinetic studies and studies of drug toxicity all need to be applied in order to ensure that medicines are used rationally in children.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA REACTIVIDAD EMOCIONAL ANTE IMÁGENES DE COMIDA EN BULIMIA NERVIOSA

The aim of the study was to assess the influence on reactivity to food images of the following variables: craving-trait, positive or negative mood state, and food restriction. Emotional modulation of the defense startle reflex (RMS) was assessed in 26 women at risk of suffering from bulimia nervosa; they were assigned one of to two groups: high craving-trait and low craving-trait. Before the test, positive or negative mood and restriction vs. non-restriction states were induced in each of the groups. Skin conductance response (SCR) and electromyogram activity from the orbiculari oculi region were recorded after the auditory stimuli; questionnaires such as Food Craving Trait Questionnaire (FCQ-T) and the Self-assessment Manikin (SAM) were used. Results showed that negative affect produced a negative valence of food images, more arousal, and more loss of control, as well as higher SCRs. Subjects with low FCQ-T levels reduced their RMS to food images as a consequence of experiencing positive emotions; when emotions were negative, their RMS increased.
Clinical and Functional Characterization of a Novel Mutation in Lamin A/C Gene in a Multigenerational Family with Arrhythmogenic Cardiac Laminopathy

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) were associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and, recently, were related to severe forms of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Both genetic and phenotypic overlap between DCM and ARVC was observed; molecular pathomechanisms leading to the cardiac phenotypes caused by LMNA mutations are not yet fully elucidated. This study involved a large Italian family, spanning 4 generations, with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy of different phenotypes, including ARVC, DCM, system conduction defects, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Mutation screening of LMNA and ARVC-related genes PKP2, DSP, DSG2, DSC2, JUP, and CTNNA3 was performed. We identified a novel heterozygous mutation (c.418_438dup) in LMNA gene exon 2, occurring in a highly conserved protein domain across several species. This newly identified variant was not found in 250 ethnically-matched control subjects. Genotype-phenotype correlation studies suggested a co-segregation of the LMNA mutation with the disease phenotype and an incomplete and age-related penetrance. Based on clinical, pedigree, and molecular genetic data, this mutation was considered likely disease-causing. To clarify its potential pathophysiologic impact, functional characterization of this LMNA mutant was performed in cultured cardiomyocytes expressing EGFP-tagged wild-type and mutated LMNA constructs, and indicated an increased nuclear envelope fragility, leading to stress-induced apoptosis as the main pathogenetic mechanism. This study further expands the role of the LMNA gene in the pathogenesis of cardiac laminopathies, suggesting that LMNA should be included in mutation screening of patients with suspected arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, particularly when they have ECG evidence for conduction defects. The combination of clinical, genetic, and functional data contribute insights into the pathogenesis of this form of life-threatening arrhythmogenic cardiac laminopathy.
Simultaneous integrated dose reduction intensity-modulated radiotherapy applied to an elective nodal area of limited-stage small-cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity of simultaneous integrated dose reduction intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIR-IMRT) applied to an elective nodal area of patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Between January 2010 and March 2013, 52 patients with LS-SCLC that was treated with SIR-IMRT were retrospectively analyzed. A radiation dose of 54 Gy was administered in 30 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the planning target volume (PTV). Simultaneously, 60 Gy was administered in 30 fractions (2 Gy/fraction) to the planning gross tumor volume. Radiation-related toxicities were estimated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). Overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. By the last follow-up, the median follow-up time was 16.5 months, the median OS was 24.0 months, and 21 (40.4%) patients had experienced treatment failure. Of these patients, 5 (9.6%) patients developed in-field recurrence (within the 95% isodose curve of the PTV) and 1 (1.9%) patient developed an out-of-field recurrence (not a distant metastasis). Grade 3 or higher treatment-related pneumonia was observed in 4/52 (7.6%) patients, and grade 3 radiation-related esophagitis was experienced by 2/52 (3.8%) patients. The results of this preliminary study suggest that SIR-IMRT is safe and effective for patients with LS-SCLC and should be further evaluated in a large prospective clinical trial.
Physician assistants in medical ward care: a descriptive study of the situation in the Netherlands.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Medical ward care has been increasingly reallocated from medical doctors (MDs) to physician assistants (PAs). Insight into their roles and tasks is limited. This study aims to provide insight into different organizational models of medical ward care, focusing on the position, tasks and responsibilities of the involved PAs and MDs. METHODS In this cross-sectional descriptive study 34 hospital wards were included. Characteristics of the organizational models were collected from the heads of departments. We documented provider continuity by examination of work schedules. MDs and PAs in charge for medical ward care (n = 179) were asked to complete a questionnaire to measure workload, supervision and tasks performed. RESULTS We distinguished four different organizational models for ward care: medical specialists in charge of admitted patients (100% MS), medical residents in charge (100% MR), PAs in charge (100% PA), both MRs and PAs in charge (mixed PA/MR). The wards with PAs had the highest provider continuity. PAs spend relatively more time on direct patient care; MDs spend relatively more time on indirect patient care. PAs spend more hours on quality projects (P = 0.000), while MDs spend more time on scientific research (P = 0.030). CONCLUSION Across different organizational models for medical ward care, we found variations in time per task, time per bed and provider continuity. Further research should focus on the impact of these differences on outcomes and efficiency of medical ward care.
Better Statistical Machine Translation through Linguistic Treatment of Phrasal Verbs

This article describes a linguistically informed method for integrating phrasal verbs into statistical machine translation (SMT) systems. In a case study involving English to Bulgarian SMT, we show that our method does not only improve translation quality but also outperforms similar methods previously applied to the same task. We attribute this to the fact that, in contrast to previous work on the subject, we employ detailed linguistic information. We found out that features which describe phrasal verbs as idiomatic or compositional contribute most to the better translation quality achieved by our method.
Beyond major depression

Background. The DSM concept of ‘major depression’ has accrued increased status but demonstrated limited utility since inception. Method. An historical overview of models of depression and the initially perceived advantages presented by the concept of ‘major depression’ are presented before detailing its limitations in application. Results. Challenges to the utility of ‘major depression’ are provided by examining its conceptual model, its validity, its utility and the limited information generated in aetiological and treatment efficacy studies. Conclusion. It is argued that the concept of ‘major depression’ has led to sterility in depression research and clinical practice, and that there is a need for a paradigm shift in modelling and classifying the depressive disorders.
Nanoparticulate Transport of Oximes over an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model

Background Due to the use of organophosphates (OP) as pesticides and the availability of OP-type nerve agents, an effective medical treatment for OP poisonings is still a challenging problem. The acute toxicity of an OP poisoning is mainly due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNS). This results in an increase in the synaptic concentration of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, overstimulation of cholinergic receptors and disorder of numerous body functions up to death. The standard treatment of OP poisoning includes a combination of a muscarinic antagonist and an AChE reactivator (oxime). However, these oximes can not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) sufficiently. Therefore, new strategies are needed to transport oximes over the BBB. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we combined different oximes (obidoxime dichloride and two different HI 6 salts, HI 6 dichloride monohydrate and HI 6 dimethanesulfonate) with human serum albumin nanoparticles and could show an oxime transport over an in vitro BBB model. In general, the nanoparticulate transported oximes achieved a better reactivation of OP-inhibited AChE than free oximes. Conclusions/Significance With these nanoparticles, for the first time, a tool exists that could enable a transport of oximes over the BBB. This is very important for survival after severe OP intoxication. Therefore, these nanoparticulate formulations are promising formulations for the treatment of the peripheral and the CNS after OP poisoning.
A Single-Stage Approach to Learning Phonological Categories: Insights From Inuktitut

To acquire one's native phonological system, language-specific phonological categories and relationships must be extracted from the input. The acquisition of the categories and relationships has each in its own right been the focus of intense research. However, it is remarkable that research on the acquisition of categories and the relations between them has proceeded, for the most part, independently of one another. We argue that this has led to the implicit view that phonological acquisition is a "two-stage" process: Phonetic categories are first acquired and then subsequently mapped onto abstract phoneme categories. We present simulations that suggest two problems with this view: First, the learner might mistake the phoneme-level categories for phonetic-level categories and thus be unable to learn the relationships between phonetic-level categories; on the other hand, the learner might construct inaccurate phonetic-level representations that prevent it from finding regular relations among them. We suggest an alternative conception of the phonological acquisition problem that sidesteps this apparent inevitability and acquires phonemic categories in a single stage. Using acoustic data from Inuktitut, we show that this model reliably converges on a set of phoneme-level categories and phonetic-level relations among subcategories, without making use of a lexicon.
The Limits of ex post Implementation

The sensitivity of Bayesian implementation to agents' beliefs about others suggests the use of more robust notions of implementation such as ex post implementation, which requires that each agent's strategy be optimal for every possible realization of the types of other agents. We show that the only deterministic social choice functions that are ex post implementable in generic mechanism design frameworks with multidimensional signals, interdependent valuations, and transferable utilities are constant functions. In other words, deterministic ex post implementation requires that the same alternative must be chosen irrespective of agents' signals. The proof shows that ex post implementability of a nontrivial deterministic social choice function implies that certain rates of information substitution coincide for all agents. This condition amounts to a system of differential equations that are not satisfied by generic valuation functions.
Measurements of high Q on-chip inductors for wireless applications

This paper presents characterization of on-chip inductors in giga Hertz range for wireless communication products. We compare several different on-chip inductors for self-resonant frequency and quality factor. The measurement data could be used for designing practical spiral inductors for wireless applications. We provide the equivalent inductor circuit parameters from the measured data.
On a probabilistic parallel integer sorting algorithm

It is shown how one can improve the reliability bound of the parallel sorting algorithm of Rajasekaran and Sen [6] that sorts uniformly distributed integer keys on a CRCW Parallel Random Access Machine (PRAM). The probability of success improves to 1 − 2−Ω(n log logn/ logn) from the previous bound of 1 − 2−Ω(n/(logn log logn)) while retaining the Õ(log n) time bound for sorting n uniformly distributed integers on n/ log n processors.
Notes on principal bundles and classifying spaces

Consider a real n-plane bundle ξ with Euclidean metric. Associated to ξ are a number of auxiliary bundles: disc bundle, sphere bundle, projective bundle, k-frame bundle, etc. Here “bundle” simply means a local product with the indicated fibre. In each case one can show, by easy but repetitive arguments, that the projection map in question is indeed a local product; furthermore, the transition functions are always linear in the sense that they are induced in an obvious way from the linear transition functions of ξ. It turns out that all of this data can be subsumed in a single object: the “principal O(n)-bundle” Pξ, which is just the bundle of orthonormal n-frames. The fact that the transition functions of the various associated bundles are linear can then be formalized in the notion “fibre bundle with structure group O(n)”. If we do not want to consider a Euclidean metric, there is an analogous notion of principal GLnR-bundle; this is the bundle of linearly independent n-frames. More generally, if G is any topological group, a principal G-bundle is a locally trivial free G-space with orbit space B (see below for the precise definition). For example, if G is discrete then a principal G-bundle with connected total space is the same thing as a regular covering map with G as group of deck transformations. Under mild hypotheses there exists a classifying space BG, such that isomorphism classes of principal G-bundles over X are in natural bijective correspondence with [X,BG]. The correspondence is given by pulling back a universal principal G-bundle over BG. When G is discrete, BG is an Eilenberg-Maclane space of type (G, 1). When G is either GLnR or O(n), BG is homotopy equivalent to the infinite Grassmanian GnR. The homotopy classification theorem for vector bundles then emerges as a special case of the homotopy classification theorem for principal bundles. As these examples begin to suggest, the concept principal bundle acts as a powerful unifying force in algebraic topology. Classifying spaces also play a central role; indeed, much of the research in homotopy theory over the last fifty years involves analyzing the homotopytype of BG for interesting groups G. There are also many applications in differential geometry, involving connections, curvature, etc. In these notes we will study principal bundles and classifying spaces from the homotopy-theoretic point of view.
Advances in semantic multimedia analysis for personalised content access

In this special session overview paper, we present an introduction to the advances in semantic multimedia analysis for personalised content access. We firstly identify the importance of semantic multimedia analysis for personalised multimedia content applications, from a user and business perspective. We then summarise of the state of the art in these novel, and emerging domains. Finally, we describe some applications under development and evaluate their possible future commercial success