Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intégration de la reconnaissance des entités nommées au processus de reconnaissance de la parole [Integration of named entity recognition to automatic speech recognition]

Nous nous interessons a la tâche de reconnaissance des entites nommees pour la modalite orale. Cette tâche pose un certain nombre de difficultes qui sont inherentes aux caracteristiques intrinseques du traitement de l'oral (absence de capitalisation, manque de ponctuation, presence de disfluences et d'erreurs de reconnaissance.). Dans ce travail, nous proposons d'etudier le couplage etroit entre la tâche de transcription de la parole et la tâche de reconnaissance des entites nommees. Dans ce but, nous detournons les fonctionnalites de base d'un systeme de transcription de la parole pour le transformer en un systeme de reconnaissance des entites nommees. Ainsi, en mobilisant les connaissances propres au traitement de la parole dans le cadre de la tâche liee a la reconnaissance des entites nommees, nous assurons une plus grande synergie entre ces deux tâches. Ceci se traduit par une augmentation significative de la qualite de la reconnaissance des entites nommees d'environ 5 % en termes de SER (Slot Error Rate) comme de F-mesure, par rapport aux resultats obtenus avec l'un des meilleurs systemes de reconnaissance des entites nommees en parole lorsque celui-ci est utilise en aval de la tâche de transcription de la parole.
Nucleotide Sequence Analysis of the Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Adherence Factor Plasmid pMAR 7 ‡

The complete nucleotide sequence was determined for pMAR7, an enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) adherence factor (EAF) plasmid that contains genes encoding a type IV attachment pilus (Bfp) and the global virulence regulator per. Prototypic EAF plasmid pMAR7 is self-transmissible, unlike the smaller EAF plasmid pB171, which has no genes encoding conjugative functions. The tra locus, a highly conserved 33-kb segment found in pMAR7, is similar to the tra (conjugation) region of the F plasmid. ISEc13 copies flanking the pMAR7 tra region could potentially mobilize or delete the tra genes. Hybridization of 134 EPEC strains showed that a complete tra region is present only in strains of the EPEC1 clonal group. This study confirms EPEC’s potential for dissemination of virulence attributes by horizontal transfer of the EAF plasmid.
Human papillomavirus genotypes associated with mucopurulent cervicitis and cervical cancer in Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND To investigate the infection status and predominant genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among Chinese patients with mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) or cervical cancer (CC) in Hangzhou. METHODS Initially, 217 cases of healthy cervix controls (n=50), acute MPC (n=89), and CC (n=78) were included; samples were collected between January 1, 2010, and January 30, 2013. Cervical specimens were screened for HPV using a nested polymerase chain reaction assay and DNA sequencing. RESULTS Overall prevalence of HPV infection was 16.7% in the control group, 51.9% in the MPC group, and 84.4% in the CC group. The predominant genotype detected in all 3 groups was the oncogenic variant HPV 16 (55.8%, 17.3%, and 6.3% in the CC, MPC and control specimens, respectively), HPV58 was the second most predominant HPV type in CC (9.1%), MPC (8.6%), and control group (4.2%). Most or all of the genotypes were oncogenic in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS Infection with HPV was found to be prevalent among Chinese women with MPC or CC and oncogenic variants were in the majority. Therefore, peoples who suffered MPC with HPV DNA positive should be regularly followed-up, for prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer.
Extracting Deep Phenotypes for Chronic Kidney Disease Using Electronic Health Records

Introduction: As chronic kidney disease (CKD) is among the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world with various rate of progression among patients, identifying its phenotypic subtypes is important for improving risk stratification and providing more targeted therapy and specific treatments for patients having different trajectories of the disease progression. Problem Definition and Data: The rapid growth and adoption of electronic health records (EHR) technology has created a unique opportunity to leverage the abundant clinical data, available as EHRs, to find meaningful phenotypic subtypes for CKD. In this study, we focus on extracting disease severity profiles for CKD while accounting for other confounding factors. Probabilistic Subtyping Model: We employ a probabilistic model to identify precise phenotypes from EHR data of patients who have chronic kidney disease. Using this model, patient’s eGFR trajectory is decomposed as a combination of four different components including disease subtype effect, covariate effect, individual long-term effect and individual short-term effect. Experimental Results: The discovered disease subtypes obtained by Probabilistic Subtyping Model for CKD are presented and their clinical relevance is analyzed. Discussion: Several clinical health markers that were found associated with disease subtypes are presented with suggestion for further investigation on their use as risk predictors. Several assumptions in the study are also clarified and discussed. Conclusion: The large dataset of EHRs can be used to identify deep phenotypes retrospectively. Directions for further expansion of the model are also discussed.
Dietary factors influencing levels of food antibodies and antigens in breast milk

The effect of a milk‐free diet during late pregnancy and lactation, on levels of cows’milk specific antibodies and antigens in breast milk, was examined. Women with an allergic condition (defined as atopic) were randomly allocated to a milk‐free diet (n= 10) or an unrestricted diet (n= 12). Twelve non‐atopic women followed an unrestricted diet. A significant reduction (p < 0.001) in β‐lactoglobulin‐specific immunoglobulin A and α‐casein‐specific immunoglobulin A levels was observed over the first 5 days in all groups. The mean level of β‐lactoglobulin antigens in breast milk from women who adhered strictly to the milk‐free diet was significantly lower than the levels of the atopic group on the unrestricted diet (p < 0.02). The allergy incidence in the infants born in the atopic diet group was significantly lower compared with that of the atopic group on the unrestricted diet.
Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with 1-Hour Glucose Challenge Test ≥ 200 mg/dL

Abstract Objective Many protocols diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) solely on a 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) ≥ 200 mg/dL. However, pregnancy outcomes in these women compared with women diagnosed with a 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) has not been adequately evaluated. We hypothesize that a 1-hour GCT ≥ 200 mg/dL is associated with worse pregnancy outcomes as compared with a GCT 135 to 199 mg/dL with positive GTT. Study Design A retrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM. Maternal outcomes included A2DM, preeclampsia, primary cesarean, and failed trial of labor after cesarean. Perinatal outcomes were large/small for gestational age, shoulder dystocia, and birth injury. Groups were compared with t-test and chi-square test, and logistic regression to adjust for confounders. Results A total of 602 women diagnosed with GDM by 1-hour GCT 135 to 199 mg/dL and confirmatory 3-hour GTT (< 200 group) and 225 women diagnosed with 1-hour GCT ≥ 200 alone (≥ 200) were included. The ≥ 200 group had a higher incidence of preeclampsia (16.4 vs. 10.6%) and shoulder dystocia (3.1 vs. 1.0%). Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were 1.80 (1.10–2.94) and 5.10 (1.25–20.76), respectively. Conclusion Preeclampsia and shoulder dystocia are more frequent in women with GCT ≥ 200 mg/dL than those with a positive GTT following a GCT of 135 to 199 mg/dL.
Mechanical ventilation: let us minimize sleep disturbances

Purpose of reviewThis review provides a background in mechanical ventilation and sleep. Recent findingsSleep pattern in mechanically ventilated patients differs largely from physiological sleep. The ventilatory mode and the ventilatory settings could have an influence on the sleep quality and quantity. Pressure support ventilation can increase the sleep fragmentation and decrease the sleep quantity, due to central apneas when compared with assist control ventilation. An excessive level of ventilatory assistance during sleep promotes central apneas and ineffective efforts. These two respiratory events can trigger arousals and awakenings, thus altering the sleep quality and quantity in mechanically ventilated patients. Ventilatory settings adjusted according to the patient's effort during pressure support allow reducing the number of ineffective efforts and improve sleep quality when compared with a clinical adjustment. A physiological approach to set the ventilator and the ventilatory mode may improve sleep quality and quantity. SummaryMinimizing the sleep alterations in mechanically ventilated patients could be obtained by setting the ventilator in such a way to avoid hyperventilation during the sleep stage. The impact of sleep derangements in patient outcomes is, however, unknown.
Hybrid compensation arrangement in dispersed generation systems

This paper presents a hybrid compensation system consisting of an active filter and distributed passive filters. In the system, each individual passive filter is connected to a distortion source and designed to eliminate main harmonics and supply reactive power for the distortion source, while the active filter is responsible for the correction of the system unbalance and the cancellation of the remaining harmonics. The paper also analyzes the effects of the circuit configuration on the system impedance characteristics and consequently the effectiveness of the filter system. Simulation studies are performed for a power system including the dispersed generation units connected into the system through power electronic converters and diode rectifier loads, which produce the distorted waveforms. The simulation results have demonstrated that good compensation effects can be achieved by using the combined filter system consisting of distributed passive filters and an active filter.
Prehospital Intranasal Midazolam for the Treatment of Pediatric Seizures

Background: The local emergency medical services (EMS) council implemented a new pediatric treatment protocol using a Mucosal Atomization Device (MAD) to deliver intranasal (IN) midazolam for seizure activity. Methods: We sought to compare outcomes in seizing pediatric patients treated with IN midazolam using a MAD (IN-MAD midazolam) to those treated with rectal (PR) diazepam, 18 months before and after the implementation of the protocol. Results: Of 857 seizure patients brought by EMS to our emergency department (ED), 124 patients (14%) had seizure activity in the presence of EMS and were eligible for inclusion in this study. Of the 124 patients eligible for this study, 67 patients (54%) received no medications in the prehospital setting, 39 patients (32%) were treated with IN-MAD midazolam, and 18 patients (15%) were treated with PR diazepam. Median seizure time noted by EMS was 19 minutes longer for PR diazepam (30 minutes) when compared with IN-MAD midazolam (11 minutes, P = 0.003). Patients treated with PR diazepam in the prehospital setting were significantly more likely to have a seizure in the ED (odds ratio [OR], 8.4; confidence interval [CI], 1.6-43.7), ED intubation (OR, 12.2; CI, 2.0-75.4), seizure medications in the ED to treat ongoing seizure activity (OR, 12.1; CI, 2.2-67.8), admission to the hospital (OR, 29.3; CI, 3.0-288.6), and admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (OR, 53.5; CI, 2.7-1046.8). Conclusions: The IN-MAD midazolam controlled seizures better than PR diazepam in the prehospital setting and resulted in fewer respiratory complications and fewer admissions.
MODULATION OF THE TURNOVER RATE OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN RAT BRAIN BY INTRAVENTRICULAR INJECTIONS OF THYROTROPIN‐RELEASING HORMONE, SOMATOSTATIN, NEUROTENSIN AND ANGIOTENSIN II

The turnover rate of acetylcholine (TRACh) was measured in frontal and parietal cortex striatum, hippocampus, diencephalon and brain stem following the intraventricular injection of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH), somatostatin, neurotensin and angiotensin II. These peptides selectively change the TRACh of various brain regions suggesting specific and independent actions. This specificity of action was also tested by injecting L‐prolylglycine, poly‐L‐proline and poly‐L‐glutamate. None of these synthetic peptides affect the TRACh. TRH increases the TRACh in parietal but not in frontal cortex whereas somatostatin, neurotensin and angiotensin II failed to change the TRACh in these cortical areas. Somatostatin and neurotensin increase the TRACh in diencephalon, whereas TRH and angiotensin II do not. All four peptides decrease the acetylcholine (ACh) content of parietal cortex but not that of frontal cortex. Only somatostatin changes the TRACh in pons medulla. Larger doses of TRH, neurotensin and angiotensin II fail to elicit greater or more general changes in TRACh. In contrast, high doses of somatostatin increase the TRACh of hippocampus and induce‘barrel’rotation. Intraseptal injections of somatostatin induce a long lasting catalepsy but fail to change hippocampal TRACh or to elicit‘barrel’rotation
Efferent projections of the subthalamic nucleus: An autoradiographic study in monkey and cat

The efferent projections of the subthalamic nucleus were studied with the autoradiographic tracing technique in Rhesus monkey and cat. From the data it appears that the major efferent projections of the nucleus are to the pallidal complex and the substantia nigra. In both monkey and cat, the projection to the pallidal complex is truly massive and is directed at both pallidal segments. The projection field includes an infracommissural part of the pallidal complex bordering on the substantia innominata. In the monkey the termination in the pallidal complex is organized in several characteristic bands oriented parallel to the medullary laminae. The subthalamo‐pallidal projection in monkey further appears to be topographically organized. The projections to the substantia nigra is prominent in both cat and monkey though not as massive as that to the pallidal complex. The distribution of termination in the substantia nigra favors the more ventral strata near the cerebral peduncle. In the monkey the terminal distribution appears to avoid regions of the substantia nigra containing pigmented neurons and it is suggested that the subthalamonigral pathway may prefer non‐dopaminergic neurons. In addition to the above major projections, sparse projections were noted to the thalamic nuclei ventralis lateralis and ventralis anterior, to the putamen, and to the mesencephalic nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus, pars compacta. The findings are discussed.
It from Qubit : Simons Collaboration on Quantum Fields , Gravity , and Information

3 Scientific context and objectives 4 3.1 Does spacetime emerge from entanglement? 4 3.2 Do black holes have interiors? Does the universe exist outside our horizon? 5 3.3 What is the information-theoretic structure of quantum field theories? 6 3.4 Can quantum computers simulate all physical phenomena? 7 3.5 How does quantum information flow in time? 7
Achromatopsia-associated Mutation in the Human Cone Photoreceptor Cyclic Nucleotide-gated Channel CNGB3 Subunit Alters the Ligand Sensitivity and Pore Properties of Heteromeric Channels*

Cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are thought to form by assembly of two different subunit types, CNGA3 and CNGB3. Recently, mutations in the gene encoding the CNGB3 subunit have been linked to achromatopsia in humans. Here we describe the functional consequences of two achromatopsia-associated mutations in human CNGB3 (hCNGB3). Co-expression in Xenopus oocytes of human CNGA3 (hCNGA3) subunits with hCNGB3 subunits containing an achromatopsia-associated mutation in the S6 transmembrane domain (S435F) generated functional heteromeric channels that exhibited an increase in apparent affinity for both cAMP and cGMP compared with wild type heteromeric channels. In contrast, co-expression of a presumptive null mutation of hCNGB3 (T383f.s.ΔC) with hCNGA3 produced channels with properties indistinguishable from homomeric hCNGA3 channels. The effect of hCNGB3 S435F subunits on cell-surface expression of green fluorescent protein-tagged hCNGA3 subunits and of non-tagged hCNGA3 subunits on surface expression of green fluorescent protein-hCNGB3 S435F subunits were similar to those observed for wild type hCNGB3 subunits, suggesting that the mutation does not grossly disturb subunit assembly or plasma membrane targeting. The S435F mutation was also found to produce changes in the pore properties of the channel, including decreased single channel conductance and decreased sensitivity to block by l-cis-diltiazem. Overall, these results suggest that the functional properties of cone CNG channels may be altered in patients with the S435F mutation, providing evidence supporting the pathogenicity of this mutation in humans. Thus, achromatopsia may arise from a disturbance of cone CNG channel gating and permeation or from the absence of functional CNGB3 subunits.
Red Blood Cell Transfusion: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the AABB*

DESCRIPTION Although approximately 85 million units of red blood cells (RBCs) are transfused annually worldwide, transfusion practices vary widely. The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline to provide clinical recommendations about hemoglobin concentration thresholds and other clinical variables that trigger RBC transfusions in hemodynamically stable adults and children. METHODS These guidelines are based on a systematic review of randomized clinical trials evaluating transfusion thresholds. We performed a literature search from 1950 to February 2011 with no language restrictions. We examined the proportion of patients who received any RBC transfusion and the number of RBC units transfused to describe the effect of restrictive transfusion strategies on RBC use. To determine the clinical consequences of restrictive transfusion strategies, we examined overall mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiac events, pulmonary edema, stroke, thromboembolism, renal failure, infection, hemorrhage, mental confusion, functional recovery, and length of hospital stay. RECOMMENDATION 1: The AABB recommends adhering to a restrictive transfusion strategy (7 to 8 g/dL) in hospitalized, stable patients (Grade: strong recommendation; high-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 2: The AABB suggests adhering to a restrictive strategy in hospitalized patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease and considering transfusion for patients with symptoms or a hemoglobin level of 8 g/dL or less (Grade: weak recommendation; moderate-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 3: The AABB cannot recommend for or against a liberal or restrictive transfusion threshold for hospitalized, hemodynamically stable patients with the acute coronary syndrome (Grade: uncertain recommendation; very low-quality evidence). RECOMMENDATION 4: The AABB suggests that transfusion decisions be influenced by symptoms as well as hemoglobin concentration (Grade: weak recommendation; low-quality evidence).
The Biopolymers Cutin and Suberin

Citation: Nawrath C. (2002) The Biopolymers Cutin and Suberin. The Arabidopsis Book 1:e0021. doi:10.1199/tab.0021 elocation-id: e0021 Published on: April 4, 2002
Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation after a Complete Spinal Cord Transection Mediates Neuroprotective and Immunomodulatory Mechanisms to Facilitate Regeneration

Multiple neural and peripheral cell types rapidly respond to tissue damage after spinal cord injury to form a structurally and chemically inhibitory scar that limits axon regeneration. Astrocytes form an astroglial scar and produce chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), activate microglia, and recruit blood-derived immune cells to the lesion for debris removal. One beneficial therapy, olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation, results in functional improvements and promotes axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. The lack of an OEC-specific marker, however, has limited the investigation of mechanisms underlying their proregenerative effects. We compared the effects of enhanced green fluorescent protein-labeled fibroblast (FB) and OEC transplants acutely after a complete low-thoracic spinal cord transection in adult rats. We assessed the preservation of neurons and serotonergic axons, the levels of inhibitory CSPGs and myelin debris, and the extent of immune cell activation between 1 and 8 weeks postinjury. Our findings indicate that OECs survive longer than FBs post-transplantation, preserve axons and neurons, and reduce inhibitory molecules in the lesion core. Additionally, we show that OECs limit immune-cell activation and infiltration, whereas FBs alter astroglial scar formation and increase immune-cell infiltration and concomitant secondary tissue damage. Administration of cyclosporine-A to enhance graft survival demonstrated that immune suppression can augment OEC contact-mediated protection of axons and neurons during the first 2 weeks postinjury. Collectively, these data suggest that OECs have neuroprotective and immunomodulatory mechanisms that create a supportive environment for neuronal survival and axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Spinal cord injury creates physical and chemical barriers to axon regeneration. We used a complete spinal cord transection model and olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) or fibroblast (FB; control) transplantation as a repair strategy. OECs, but not FBs, intermingled with astrocytes, facilitated astroglial scar border formation and sequestered invading peripheral cells. OECs attenuated immune cell infiltration, reduced secondary tissue damage, protected neurons and axons in the lesion core, and helped clear myelin debris. Immunosuppression enhanced survival of OECs and FBs, but only OEC transplantation promoted scaffold formation in the lesion site that facilitated axon regeneration and neuron preservation.
Becoming a Successful First Year Undergraduate: When Expectations and Reality Collide

The purpose of this paper is to explore how expectations of university life, examined through a tertiary studies session, can be better aligned with the reality of tertiary studies so as to increase successful transition for commencing students entering university from secondary school. Qualitative survey data were collected and analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results of the study showed that students had similar expectations before the tertiary study session; however these did not match reality. The contrast was mainly in perceptions concerning independent learning and the differences between the learning experiences of school and university. Having completed the tertiary studies session the students altered their expectations. The findings of this study will assist in addressing retention of first year students and provide an innovative program for aligning expectations.