Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying factors associated with changes in CD4+ count in HIV-infected adults in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

More than doubling the national mean, Saskatchewan has the highest incidence of HIV in Canada. The progression of HIV is characterized by the decline in CD4+ T cells over time and can lead to immunological AIDS. Clinicians in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, have observed a more rapid progression to AIDS in the recent years. The goal of this retrospective longitudinal cohort study was to investigate the rate of CD4+ cell depletion, as well as to determine the effects of multiple clinical and social factors that may contribute to an accelerated progression of HIV to AIDS in this population.
Paddlefish as Potential Acoustic Targets for Abundance Estimates

Abstract Underwater acoustics is a noninvasive sampling technique that potentially reduces expense and injury to target species, but this method may be underutilized for sampling large freshwater fishes. We measured target strength (TS), developed anatomically based backscatter models, and conducted gill-net and acoustic surveys of paddlefish Polyodon spathula to explore the potential use of acoustic surveys for estimating the abundance of large freshwater fishes. Mean TS measured from two size-groups of paddlefish at 200 kHz was −37.14 decibels (dB; SD = −2.36) for age-0 fish (353–406 mm) and −27.25 dB (SD = −2.21) for adult fish (1,018–1,284 mm), indicating that TS could differentiate these size-groups. Backscatter models identified strong contributions of the swim bladder to TS and revealed the sensitivity of acoustic backscatter to paddlefish length, aspect, and acoustic carrier frequency. Model results were generally within one SD of measured means from individual fish of each size-group. Target stre.
Olanzapine in the treatment of low body weight and obsessive thinking in women with anorexia nervosa: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Anorexia nervosa is associated with high mortality, morbidity, and treatment costs. Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is known to result in weight gain in other patient populations. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in promoting weight gain and in reducing obsessive symptoms among adult women with anorexia nervosa. METHOD The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 10-week flexible dose trial in which patients with anorexia nervosa (N=34) were randomly assigned to either olanzapine plus day hospital treatment or placebo plus day hospital treatment. RESULTS Compared with placebo, olanzapine resulted in a greater rate of increase in weight, earlier achievement of target body mass index, and a greater rate of decrease in obsessive symptoms. No differences in adverse effects were observed between the two treatment conditions. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that olanzapine may be safely used in achieving more rapid weight gain and improvement in obsessive symptoms among women with anorexia nervosa. Replication, in the form of a large multicenter trial, is recommended.
Biofeedback in somatoform disorders and related syndromes

Purpose of review Patients often present with symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, non-cardiac chest pain, etc. that have no medical explanation. There is, therefore, the need for effective treatment options. Biofeedback has been suggested because of its goal to enhance control over the psychophysiological processes that may be involved. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the use and evidence of biofeedback therapy in somatoform disorders and related syndromes on the basis of recent publications. Recent findings Considerable evidence suggests that biofeedback is effective in tension-type headache (in adults and children), whereas its benefits in other conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain) are less clear. Recent research has shown benefits for patients with formerly ‘neglected’ conditions such as vulvodynia and children's somatoform pain disorder. These results now need to be confirmed in larger randomized controlled trials. Biofeedback seems to be a highly credible intervention for patients suffering from somatoform complaints, and a useful tool to demonstrate body-mind connections. Summary It would appear that there is still the need to evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback for somatoform disorders, especially in conditions other than headache. Biofeedback seems to be a promising additional tool in cognitive-behavioural treatment programmes for somatoform disorders, but its role needs to be assessed in further controlled trials.
Unfractionated Heparin in Cardiology: Redefining the Standard of Practice

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) consist of unstable angina (UA), non–ST‐segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST‐segment myocardial infarction (STEMI). Timely intervention with effective, predictable antithrombin therapy is critically important in the early management of these conditions. Platelet aggregation is also an important component of thrombus formation in arterial thrombosis. Historically, unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been combined with aspirin to suppress thrombin propagation and fibrin formation; however, its effectiveness has been questioned in this setting. Unlike newer anticoagulant alternatives, UFH paradoxically stimulates platelet aggregation, which may further promote clot formation. In addition, obtaining a valid therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in cardiology patients is a major challenge, and dosing is complex. Due to substantial variation in reagents and instruments, target aPTT ranges for UFH in ACS clinical trials cannot be extrapolated to individual institutions. Further, the risk of ischemic events is greater shortly after abrupt discontinuation of UFH compared with alternative agents with longer half‐lives and less stimulation of platelet aggregation. Key UA‐NSTEMI clinical trials have demonstrated that UFH is inferior to newer agents, such as the low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs). Consistent with this evidence, the most recent practice guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in UA‐NSTEMI identify the LMWH enoxaparin as the agent of choice. In patients with STEMI receiving the fibrinolytic tenecteplase as reperfusion therapy, enoxaparin has also been superior to UFH in combination. In percutaneous procedures, newer indirect (enoxaparin) and direct (bivalirudin) antithrombins have demonstrated safety and efficacy. There is little doubt that as we move forward in optimizing adjunctive anticoagulation in the cardiology setting, UFH will largely be replaced by better antithrombin agents.
The role of dietary fat in obesity.

EPIDEMIOLOGY Epidemiological evidence suggests that a high-fat diet promotes the development of obesity and that there is a direct relationship between the amount of dietary fat and the degree of obesity. The importance of this relationship has been shown in black prepubescent females, who consumed more calories as fat than white females. Moreover, black adult females are heavier and have significant higher cardiovascular disease mortality rates than white females. THE INFLUENCE OF DIETARY FAT ON FOOD INTAKE An overview of animal studies had indicated that high-fat diets induce greater food intake and weight gain than high-carbohydrate diets. Several factors such as caloric density, satiety properties and post-absorbtive processing can contribute to this different response to high-fat diets. Accordingly, the satiating effects after meals with a high fat:carbohydrate ratio is less than for meals with a lower ratio. Some authors have reported that the most important variable influencing meal size is not the level of hunger but the nutrient content of the range of foods consumed. Thus dietary fat has a weak effect on satiety and we suggest that periodic exposure to a high-fat meal, particularly when hunger is high, may be sufficient to lead to overconsumption of energy as fat in obese patients. DIETARY FAT AND FAT BALANCE Energy balance is well correlated with fat balance in lean controls, whereas there is no correlation with either carbohydrate or protein balances. Several authors have shown that carbohydrate and protein storage is closely regulated by adjusting oxidation to intake, whereas fat is almost exclusively used or stored in response to day-to-day fluctuations in energy balance. The positive relationship between fat intake and lipid oxidation seen in lean controls appears not to be present in obese patients. On high-fat diets, post-obese women failed to increase the ratio of fat to carbohydrate oxidation appropriately. Increasing dietary fat results in preferential fat storage in post-obese women, impaired suppression of carbohydrate and reduction of 24h energy expenditure. CONCLUSIONS Dietary fat induces overconsumption and weight gain through its low satiety properties and high caloric density. Obese and post-obese subjects do not appear to adapt to dietary fat, and therefore fat storage is increased.
Electrocochleography in the Presence and Absence of Perilymphatic Fistula

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an acute perilymphatic fistula on the amplitude ratio (SP/AP) of the summating potential (SP) and action potential (AP). The effect of the acute fistula on AP threshold was also addressed. Electrocochleo-graphic recordings were obtained before and immediately after surgical laceration of the round window membrane in 19 guinea pigs. Stimuli comprised clicks and 2,000-Hz and 8,000-Hz tone bursts, presented initially at 100 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level and in descending 10-dB steps. After fistula induction the SP/AP significantly increased for the click and 8,000-Hz tone burst stimuli but not for the 2,000-Hz tone burst stimuli. No significant change in AP threshold occurred. These findings suggest that the SP/AP may be sensitive to perilymphatic fistula, at least in guinea pigs. The changes in the SP/AP do not appear to be related to changes in threshold.
Embodying science: A feminist perspective on learning

Depuis deux decennies, la contribution des femmes a l'enseignement scientifique aspire a provoquer de profonds changements sur la facon dont on comprend la science, le programme d'enseignement, l'evaluation, le contexte social des classes de science, et la formation des enseignants. La premiere preoccupation des feministes etaient au depart l'absence ou la sous-representation des femmes dans les matieres scientifiques, principalement dans le superieur. L'auteur constate aujourd'hui la considerable reduction de ces differences.
Reducing Parallel Communication in Algebraic Multigrid through Sparsification

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is an $\mathcal{O}(n)$ solution process for many large sparse linear systems. A hierarchy of progressively coarser grids is constructed that utilize complementary relaxation and interpolation operators. High-energy error is reduced by relaxation, while low-energy error is mapped to coarse-grids and reduced there. However, large parallel communication costs often limit parallel scalability. As the multigrid hierarchy is formed, each coarse matrix is formed through a triple matrix product. The resulting coarse-grids often have significantly more nonzeros per row than the original fine-grid operator, thereby generating high parallel communication costs on coarse-levels. In this paper, we introduce a method that systematically removes entries in coarse-grid matrices after the hierarchy is formed, leading to an improved communication costs. We sparsify by removing weakly connected or unimportant entries in the matrix, leading to improved solve time. The main trade-off is that if the heuristic identifying unimportant entries is used too aggressively, then AMG convergence can suffer. To counteract this, the original hierarchy is retained, allowing entries to be reintroduced into the solver hierarchy if convergence is too slow. This enables a balance between communication cost and convergence, as necessary. In this paper we present new algorithms for reducing communication and present a number of computational experiments in support.
Testability features of the first-generation CELL processor

The first generation CELL processor presented a test challenge in that the chip incorporated multiple processing elements, several multi-gigahertz synchronous and asynchronous clock domains, and many custom design elements. The test objective for the CELL design was to have high test coverage and a small test time. In addition to the objectives mentioned above, the CELL test logic is designed to support a modular design point and support for partial good processing elements. This paper will give an overview of the manufacturing test elements that were designed into the CELL processor
Frequency domain channel estimation for SC-FDE in UWB communications

Recently, single carrier block transmission with frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) has been shown to be a promising candidate for ultra-wideband (UWB) communications. In this paper, we address the channel estimation problem for SC-FDE transmission over UWB channels. A mean square error (MSE) lower bound for the frequency domain LMMSE channel estimator is derived and the optimal pilot sequence that achieves this lower bound is obtained. Further simplification leads to a frequency domain channel estimator with reduced computational complexity. The performance of the simplified estimator for SC-FDE over UWB channels is evaluated and compared with that of perfect channel state information. The effects of non-optimal and optimal pilot symbols are also investigated. Our results show that the proposed frequency domain channel estimator performs well over UWB channels with only small performance degradation compared to the perfect channel estimation
Image-guided percutaneous procedure plus metronidazole versus metronidazole alone for uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND Metronidazole is the standard of care for uncomplicated amoebic liver abscesses (considering that complicated liver abscesses are those localized in left lobe, multiple, and/or pyogenic abscesses). However, a subset of patients with amoebic liver abscesses remain symptomatic, with a significant risk of rupture of the abscess into the peritoneum. The role of image-guided percutaneous therapeutic aspiration in these patients remains controversial. OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of image-guided percutaneous procedure plus metronidazole versus metronidazole alone in patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2007), EMBASE (1988 to September 2007), and Science Citation Index Expanded (1945 to September 2007). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing an image-guided percutaneous procedure plus metronidazole versus metronidazole alone in patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Inclusion criteria, trial quality assessment, and data extraction were done in duplicate. We calculated relative risks (RR) and mean differences, and checked for heterogeneity by visual inspection of forest plots and chi-squared and I(2) tests. MAIN RESULTS Seven low quality randomised trials were included. All studies included a total of 310 patients, but due to selective outcome reporting bias, less patients could be included in our analyses. Pooled analysis of three homogenous trials showed that needle aspiration did not significantly increase the proportion of patients with fever resolution (RR 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 1.61). Sensitivity analysis according to trial quality preserved these findings. Trials that evaluated resolution of abdominal pain, days to resolution of fever, pain, resolution of abscess cavities, reduction in liver size, and duration of hospitalisation were heterogeneous. The benefits in the number of days to resolution of pain (MD -1.59, 95%CI -2.73 to -0.42), number of days to resolution of abdominal tenderness (MD -1.70, 95%CI -2.86 to -0.54), and duration of hospitalisation (MD -1.31, 95%CI -2.05 to -0.57) were observed in the needle aspiration group only. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Therapeutic aspiration in addition to metronidazole to hasten clinical or radiologic resolution of uncomplicated amoebic liver abscesses cannot be supported or refuted by the present evidence. The trials lack methodological rigour and adequate sample size to conclude on the presence of effectiveness of adjunctive image-guided aspiration plus metronidazole versus metronidazole alone. Further randomised trials are necessary.
Antimicrobial Treatment Improves Mycobacterial Survival in Nonpermissive Growth Conditions

ABSTRACT Antimicrobials targeting cell wall biosynthesis are generally considered inactive against nonreplicating bacteria. Paradoxically, we found that under nonpermissive growth conditions, exposure of Mycobacterium bovis BCG bacilli to such antimicrobials enhanced their survival. We identified a transcriptional regulator, RaaS (for regulator of antimicrobial-assisted survival), encoded by bcg1279 (rv1219c) as being responsible for the observed phenomenon. Induction of this transcriptional regulator resulted in reduced expression of specific ATP-dependent efflux pumps and promoted long-term survival of mycobacteria, while its deletion accelerated bacterial death under nonpermissive growth conditions in vitro and during macrophage or mouse infection. These findings have implications for the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies for persistent infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
Long-term survival in metastatic transitional-cell carcinoma and prognostic factors predicting outcome of therapy.

PURPOSE The variation in reported survival of patients with metastatic transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) treated with systemic chemotherapy may be a consequence of pretreatment patient characteristics. We hypothesized that a prognostic factor-based model of survival among patients treated with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin chemotherapy could account for such differences and help guide clinical trial design and interpretation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A database of 203 patients with unresectable or metastatic TCC was retrospectively subjected to a multivariate regression analysis to determine which patient characteristics had independent prognostic significance for survival. Patients were assigned to three risk categories depending on the number of unfavorable characteristics. Patient selection in phase II studies was addressed by developing a table of expected median survival for patient cohorts that had varying proportions of patients from the three risk categories. RESULTS Two factors had independent prognosis: Karnofsky performance status (KPS) less than 80% and visceral (lung, liver, or bone) metastasis. Median survival times for patients who had zero, one, or two risk factors were 33, 13.4, and 9.3 months, respectively (P =.0001). The median survival time of patient cohorts could vary from 9 to 26 months simply by altering the proportion of patients from different risk categories. CONCLUSION The presence of baseline KPS less than 80% or visceral metastasis has an impact on survival. Reporting the proportion of patients with zero, one, and two risk factors will facilitate understanding of the relevance of the median survival in phase II trials. Phase III trials should stratify patients according to the number of risk factors to avoid imbalance in treatment arms.
An Experimental Evaluation of Prior Polarities in Sentiment Lexicons

We present the results of an experiment to assess the validity of prior polarities available in sentiment lexicons. We designed a ranking task that was elicited through pairwise comparisons and compared the results to those predicted by two popular sentiment lexicons. We find that the experiment results show a moderate level of agreement between the lexicons and human judgments.
Piaget's stage learning hypothesis revisited.

RESUME Une re-analyse statistique des etudes de Inhelderr Bovet et Sinclair (1974), traitant les donncees comme une seule etude, contrairement aux analyses precedentcs (Brainerd, 1977; Thomas, 1980), a supporte 1'hypothese des stages d'apprentissage de Piaget. Il a ete trouve que le degre d'apprentissage cognitif etait relie au niveau initial de developpement; plus specifiquement, les enfants d'un niveau plus avance ont plus beneficie des effcts d'un entrainement que les enfants de niveaux moins avances. Cette difference dans l'evaluation des donnees pourrait etre due a une reduction de la variance attribuable au regroupement des etudes ainsi que a l'utilisation d'un modele different pour verifier l'hypothese des stages d'apprentissage.
The maximum information principle and the evolution of nucleotide sequences.

The probability distributions of bases in nucleotide sequences are deduced from the maximum information principle by maximizing the entropy (due to random mutation of bases) under certain constraints (Markovian entropy, G + C content, etc, due to selection). Two formulations are given with respect to different selective constraints. The deviations of theoretical distributions from experimental data are lower than 10% for most sequences. It is shown that the Lagrange multipliers change from species to species systematically--i.e. selective constraints correlate with evolution.
Sub-linear Size Pairing-based Non-interactive Zero-Knowledge Arguments

We construct non-interactive zero-knowledge arguments for circuit satisfiability and arithmetic circuits with perfect completeness, perfect zero-knowledge and computational (co-)soundness. The non-interactive zeroknowledge arguments have sub-linear size and very efficient public verification. Our construction uses bilinear groups and is only proven secure in the generic group model, but does not rely on random oracles.
A high-speed parallel robot for Scara motions

This paper introduces a new 4 degree-of-freedom parallel robot. It presents its architecture inspired by FlexPicker, an ABB machine based on the Delta architecture, while overcoming its drawbacks. This paper exposes the way to get the geometrical models, and particularly the forward position relationship which can be obtained in a closed form. In a third part, a detailed study of the robot singularities is made by taking into account the not-so-classic internal singularities. Design conditions are obtained for isostatic and over-constrained cases. The robot optimization and its workspace are finally presented.
Applying artificial neural network and extended classifier system for network intrusion detection

Due to increasing incidents of cyber attacks, building effective Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are essential for protecting information systems security, and yet it remains an elusive goal and a great challenge. Current IDS examine all data features to detect intrusion or misuse patterns. Some of the features may be redundant or low importance during detection process. The purpose of this study is to identify important input features in building IDS to gain better Detection Rate (DR). By that, two stages are proposed for designing intrusion detection system. In the first phase, we proposed filtering process for a set of features to combine best set of features for each type of network attacks that implemented by using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Next, we design an IDS using eXtended Classifier System (XCS) with internal modification for classifier generator to gain better DR. In the experiments, we choose KDD '99 as a dataset to train and examine the proposed work. From experiment results, XCS with its modifications achieves a promised performance compared with other systems for detecting intrusions.