Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning the Distribution of Data for Embedding

One of the central problems in machine learning and pattern recognition is how to deal with high-dimensional data either for visualization or for classification and clustering. Most of dimensionality reduction technologies, designed to cope with the curse of dimensionality, are based on Euclidean distance metric. In this work, we propose an unsupervised nonlinear dimensionality reduction method which attempt to preserve the distribution of input data, called distribution preserving embedding (DPE). It is done by minimizing the dissimilarity between the densities estimated in the original and embedded spaces. In theory, patterns in data can effectively be described by the distribution of the data. Therefore, DPE is able to discover the intrinsic pattern (structure) of data, including the global structures and the local structures. Additionally, DPE can be extended to cope with out-of-sample problem naturally. Extensive experiments on different data sets compared with other competing methods are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Effects of BMI on static lung volumes in patients with airway obstruction.

BACKGROUND Both chronic airway obstruction and obesity are increasing in prevalence but the effect of their combination on pulmonary function parameters across the range of airway obstruction is unknown. METHODS We studied the impact of increasing BMI on static lung volumes and airway function in a cohort of 2,265 subjects from a large pulmonary function laboratory database who were 40 to 80 years of age and met GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) spirometric criteria for COPD (postbronchodilator FEV₁/FVC < 0.7). We also evaluated the influence of severity of airway obstruction (by GOLD criteria) on these relationships. RESULTS With increasing BMI in the group as a whole, functional residual capacity, residual volume, expiratory reserve volume, and specific airway resistance (sRaw) decreased exponentially (all P < .001); total lung capacity (TLC) decreased linearly (P < .001); and inspiratory capacity (IC) and IC/TLC increased linearly (P < .001). However, vital capacity was not influenced significantly. The effects of increasing BMI on FEV₁/FVC and sRaw were greatest in GOLD stage III/IV (P < .05), whereas increasing BMI had greater effects on IC in GOLD stage I (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS With increasing BMI, subjects with airway obstruction had consistent reductions in lung hyperinflation, with significant improvements in IC and the FEV₁/FVC ratio; this effect was greatest in patients with the most severe airway obstruction. These results have important implications for the clinical assessment of patients with combined obesity and airway obstruction.
Severe community-acquired pneumonia in an intensive care unit: risk factors for mortality.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) with regard to risk factors for mortality and to compare ICU patients with matched non-ICU patients to evaluate whether our judgement for ICU admission was appropriate or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS During a 7-year period, all patients with CAP who were admitted to the ICU were examined. They underwent clinical and radiographic evaluations, and two commonly used severity of illness scores were also calculated using the Simplified Acute Physiological Score (SAPS) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II methods. To detect risk factors for ICU admission using existing guidelines, each study patient was matched with two patients hospitalized in a general medical ward. RESULTS Seventy-two patients were identified during the study period. Their mean age was 72.9 years, and 35 patients (48.6%) subsequently died. For the univariate analysis, there were significant differences with the pulse rate > or = 130/min, blood urea nitrogen > or = 30 mg/dl, multilobar shadow, SAPS > or = 13, APACHE II > or = 23, and the occurrence of septic shock between the survivors and those who died. For the multivariate analysis, septic shock (p = 0.0005, odds ratio of 26.6) and blood urea nitrogen > or = 30 mg/dl (p = 0.037, odds ratio of 5.38) were associated with mortality. Regarding the characteristics of different clinical predictions for ICU admission, the revised American Thoracic Society criteria might have been the most accurate. CONCLUSION Septic shock was associated with high mortality, which is a more accurate and higher predictor of mortality than was physical examination, laboratory or radiographic findings.
The Role of Hospital Inpatients in Supporting Medication Safety: A Qualitative Study

Background Inpatient medication errors are a significant concern. An approach not yet widely studied is to facilitate greater involvement of inpatients with their medication. At the same time, electronic prescribing is becoming increasingly prevalent in the hospital setting. In this study we aimed to explore hospital inpatients’ involvement with medication safety-related behaviours, facilitators and barriers to this involvement, and the impact of electronic prescribing. Methods We conducted ethnographic observations and interviews in two UK hospital organisations, one with established electronic prescribing and one that changed from paper to electronic prescribing during our study. Researchers and lay volunteers observed nurses’ medication administration rounds, pharmacists’ ward rounds, doctor-led ward rounds and drug history taking. We also conducted interviews with healthcare professionals, patients and carers. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Observation notes and transcripts were coded thematically. Results Paper or electronic medication records were shown to patients in only 4 (2%) of 247 cases. However, where they were available during patient-healthcare professional interactions, healthcare professionals often viewed them in order to inform patients about their medicines and answer any questions. Interprofessional discussions about medicines seemed more likely to happen in front of the patient where paper or electronic drug charts were available near the bedside. Patients and carers had more access to paper-based drug charts than electronic equivalents. However, interviews and observations suggest there are potentially more significant factors that affect patient involvement with their inpatient medication. These include patient and healthcare professional beliefs concerning patient involvement, the way in which healthcare professionals operate as a team, and the underlying culture. Conclusion Patients appear to have more access to paper-based records than electronic equivalents. However, to develop interventions to increase patient involvement with medication safety behaviours, a wider range of factors needs to be considered.
A Multifunctional Probe with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics for Selective Fluorescence Imaging and Photodynamic Killing of Bacteria Over Mammalian Cells

A multifunctional probe aggregation-induced emission-Zinc(II)-dipicolylamine (AIE-ZnDPA) is developed for selective targeting, fluorescence imaging, and photodynamic killing of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria over mammalian cells. The probe has significant advantages in simple probe design, enhanced fluorescence upon bacteria binding, excellent photostability, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with almost no harm to mammalian cells.
Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AttenuatedSalmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Oral Live Vector Vaccine CVD 908-htrA in U.S. Volunteers

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strain CVD 908-htrA is a live attenuated strain which may be useful as an improved oral typhoid vaccine and as a vector for cloned genes of other pathogens. We conducted a phase 2 trial in which 80 healthy adults received one of two dosage levels of CVD 908-htrA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. There were no differences in the rates of side effects among volunteers who received high-dose vaccine (4.5 × 108 CFU), lower-dose vaccine (5 × 107 CFU), or placebo in the 21 days after vaccination, although recipients of high-dose vaccine (8%) had more frequent diarrhea than placebo recipients (0%) in the first 7 days. Seventy-seven percent and 46% of recipients of high- and lower-dose vaccines, respectively, briefly excreted vaccine organisms in their stools. All blood cultures were negative. Antibody-secreting cells producing antilipopolysaccharide (LPS) immunoglobulin A (IgA) were detected in 100 and 92% of recipients of high- and lower-dose vaccines, respectively. Almost half the volunteers developed serum anti-LPS IgG. Lymphocyte proliferation and gamma interferon production against serovar Typhi antigens occurred in a significant proportion of vaccinees. This phase 2 study supports the further development of CVD 908-htrA as a single-dose vaccine against typhoid fever and as a possible live vector for oral delivery of other vaccine antigens.
Evidence of a paracrine role of neuropeptide-Y in the regulation of insulin release from pancreatic islets of normal and dexamethasone-treated rats.

Recent evidence suggests that a number of a paracrine regulatory peptides, including neuropeptide-Y (NPY), are synthesized within pancreatic islets. We have, therefore, assessed the role of NPY on insulin release from isolated perifused rat islets. NPY release was detectable at 2.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.6) attomoles/islet.min from the perifused islets of control rats when the glucose concentration was 2.8 mM and decreased by 62% (P = 0.01) on changing to 20 mM glucose. The initial insulin release was 0.7 (0.3-1.6) fmol/islet.min, and it was increased 4-fold (P < 0.001) by high glucose. Simultaneously, pancreatic glucagon release was decreased 85% (P < 0.001), and somatostatin release was decreased 25% (P = 0.06). In contrast, in islets from rats given dexamethasone (4 mg/kg.day) for 10 days, NPY release was 6-fold increased by high glucose. NPY (100 nM) decreased insulin release by 44% (P < 0.001). To determine the influence of naturally present islet NPY on insulin release, immunoneutralization with NPY antiserum was employed. With control rat islets, insulin release was increased 3-fold with NPY antiserum (P = 0.02) in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose and elevated 2-fold at 8 mM glucose (P < 0.001). NPY immunoneutralization similarly increased insulin release from the perifused islets of rats treated with dexamethasone. Our results suggest that NPY is produced by pancreatic islets, and its expression is dependent on the prevailing endocrine environment. Islet NPY appears to constrain insulin release under a variety of conditions. NPY may be an important intraislet paracrine hormone.
Oral Health and Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract:Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been described as a new epidemic. Approximately 285 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, and this number is predicted to increase by approximately 50% by year 2030. This article will review oral health manifestations of diabetes and discuss associations between periodontal disease and diabetes. Although there is a strong body of evidence that supports the relationship between oral health and type 2 diabetes mellitus, oral health awareness is lacking among patients with diabetes and other health professionals. There is a need for the treating physician to be educated about the various oral manifestations of diabetes so that they can be diagnosed early and timely referrals to oral health specialists can be made. The established link between periodontitis and diabetes calls for an increased need to study ways to control both diseases, particularly among populations with health disparities and limited access to oral and health care.
Effects of Chlorophyll Availability on Phycobilisomes in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Inactivation of the chlL gene in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 resulted in negligible chlorophyll content when the mutant was grown in darkness. Upon phycocyanin excitation at 580 nm, the 77K fluorescence spectrum of dark‐grown cells showed three peaks at 648 nm, 665 nm, and 685 nm, this last being the largest. This reflects the functional presence of major components of phycobilisomes, including phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and the terminal emitter, and efficient energy transfer between these components. As expected, no fluorescence emission peaks corresponding to chlorophyll in the photosystems were observed. Intact phycobilisomes could be isolated from the dark‐grown chlL‐deletion mutant. However, the phycobilisomes had a lower efficiency of energy transfer than did those isolated from the light‐grown mutant, probably because of a decreased phycobilisome stability in the absence of chlorophyll. Exposing the dark‐grown chlL‐deletion mutant to light triggered the biosynthesis of chlorophyll. For the first 6h in the light, upon phycocyanin excitation at 580 nm, the 77K fluorescence emission spectrum of greening cells was identical to that of dark‐grown cells that lacked significant amounts of chlorophyll. With increased chlorophyll synthesis, gradual energy transfer from phycobilisomes to the two photosystems can be demonstrated.
Effect of Long Generation Times on Growth of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in Carbohydrate-Limited Continuous Culture

We investigated the ability of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, an obligate anaerobe from human colonic microflora, to grow in a carbohydrate-limited continuous culture at generation times ranging from 3.5 to 28 h per division. Four carbohydrates were tested: glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, glucuronic acid, and glucosamine. At a generation time of 3.5 h per division, the growth yields for bacteria growing on glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, and glucuronic acid were 76, 68, and 50 g of cells (dry weight) per mol of substrate, respectively. Growth yields at 28 h per division were 61, 52, and 37 g/mol of substrate, respectively. When glucosamine was the carbohydrate source, a stable population of bacteria was attainable only at generation times longer than 12 h per division. Growth yields at 15 and 32 h per division were 11 and 33 g/mol of substrate, respectively. There was no significant variation with increasing generation times in the specific activities of selected glycolytic enzymes, of disaccharidases such as α- and β-glucosidases and α- and β-galactosidases, or of the polysaccharidase chondroitin sulfate lyase. By contrast, the pattern of fermentation products varied with both the generation time and the carbon source. At a generation time of 3.5 h per division, the main products from the fermentation of glucose were acetate and succinate, with a trace of propionate. At 28 h per division, propionate concentrations were higher and succinate concentrations were lower than at 3.5 h per division. The products from the fermentation of glucosamine were the same as those from glucose fermentation. However, when N-acetylglucosamine was fermented, the concentration of acetate was much higher at all generation times than when glucose was the carbon source. When glucuronic acid was the carbon source, acetate was the main fermentation product, and only traces of propionate and succinate were detected. Another characteristic that varied with the growth rate was the ability of B. thetaiotaomicron to produce the inducible enzyme α-glucosidase when exposed to maltose. The ability of the organism to produce this enzyme declined with increasing generation times.
Fault tolerant multilevel current source inverter

This paper explores the issue of constructing a multilevel current source converter (MCSI) topology with fault tolerant capabilities. A novel modular single rating inductor MCSI topology is analyzed. The MCSI proposed is made by identical modules where all inductors carry the same amount of current. The current balance is achieved by a Phase-Shifted Carrier SPWM proper implementation. A new state machine approach, easy to implement on a FPGA, allows minimizing switching frequency by taking advantage of the three different zero-states of the topology. A protection circuit is proposed to avoid over voltages in case of a failure. The performance of a seven level, four modules, fault tolerant arrangement is analyzed and is thoroughly simulated with Matlab Simulink.
'My Data, My Bad ...': Young People's Personal Data Understandings and (Counter)Practices

Large quantities of personal data are now being generated, collated and processed through young people's uses of social media. Third parties increasingly use these data to profile, predict and position the individuals they are associated with. These developments have prompted calls for individuals to adopt more informed and critical stances toward how and why their data is being used -- i.e., to become vigilant 'data citizens'. Against this background, this paper reports on an ongoing project that explores the extent to which social media users are aware of their personal data and its attendant issues and uses. Drawing on participatory design research with four diverse groups of young people (aged 14 to 18 years), this paper investigates the possibilities of making third party (re)uses of personal data openly available in digitized form for young people to access, interpret and use to develop counter-practices and resistant tactics. The results of these interventions -- while only partially successful -- provide valuable insights into the technical, informatic, organizational and social issues surrounding how young people engage with social media, and how academic concerns over data relate to everyday lived experiences of social media use in a digital age.
Operative and perioperative management experience for hepatobiliary malignancies following ERCP-related pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS There have been few papers on how to treat hepatobiliary malignancies after ERCP-related pancreatitis focusing on the timing of the operation and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship among the time after the pancreatitis, the complexity of the operation, and the characteristic postoperative complications. METHODOLOGY The clinicopathological characteristics of five patients with hepatobiliary malignancies who had a prior history of ERCP-related pancreatitis were analyzed. RESULTS The five patients included two with extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas, two with ampulla of Vater carcinomas, and one with intrahepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The median time to the operation from pancreatitis was 31 (16-116) days. The median operation time and blood loss were 661 (576-924) min and 3695 (2730-7240) mL, respectively. Various postoperative complications were seen in all cases including acute respiratory distress syndrome and infection of peripancreatic necrosis. The postoperative mortality rate was 0%, with a morbidity rate of 100%. R0 operations were performed in all five cases. CONCLUSIONS Surgery for hepatobiliary malignancies after ERCP-related pancreatitis appears to have a high morbidity rate. The surgery must strike a balance between curability of the malignancy and safety with respect to the frequent postoperative complications.
Influence of abiotic stress signals on secondary metabolites in plants

Plant secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals, food additives, flavors, and industrially important biochemicals. Accumulation of such metabolites often occurs in plants subjected to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Secondary metabolites play a major role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and in overcoming stress conditions. Environmental factors viz. temperature, humidity, light intensity, the supply of water, minerals, and CO2 influence the growth of a plant and secondary metabolite production. Drought, high salinity, and freezing temperatures are environmental conditions that cause adverse effects on the growth of plants and the productivity of crops. Plant cell culture technologies have been effective tools for both studying and producing plant secondary metabolites under in vitro conditions and for plant improvement. This brief review summarizes the influence of different abiotic factors include salt, drought, light, heavy metals, frost etc. on secondary metabolites in plants. The focus of the present review is the influence of abiotic factors on secondary metabolite production and some of important plant pharmaceuticals. Also, we describe the results of in vitro cultures and production of some important secondary metabolites obtained in our laboratory.
Everyday walking with Parkinson's disease: Understanding personal challenges and strategies

Purpose. This qualitative study was designed to explore the personal experience of everyday walking with Parkinson's disease (PD), the challenges and the strategies employed to compensate for difficulties, to help contextualise the scientific knowledge base. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a sample of 20 people with idiopathic PD (12 male, 8 female; mean age 65 years (range 50 – 80); mean disease duration 10 years (range 2.5 – 26). Verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using NUD*IST N6 qualitative data analysis software. Results. Walking was invariably performed as an integral part of a purposeful activity within a specific context, termed walking ‘plus’, with challenges encountered by people with PD in three main areas: Undertaking tasks; negotiating environments; and making transitions to walking. The two key strategies to compensate for difficulties experienced were monitoring through the use of concentration, and correcting through generating rhythm and size of steps. Carers supported monitoring and correcting. Conclusion. People with PD need to constantly assess and drive their walking performance. Attentional resources, which can themselves be compromised in PD, were used to accomplish what is normally a largely automatic activity. Personal accounts support scientific hypotheses. Rehabilitation interventions and measurements in PD need to reflect both the physical and psychosocial context of everyday walking.
Water Potential and Stomatal Resistance of Sunflower and Soybean Subjected to Water Stress during Various Growth Stages.

Plants of two varieties of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) and two varieties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were grown in controlled environments and subjected to water stress at various stages of growth. Leaf resistances and leaf water potentials were measured as stress developed. In soybeans the upper leaf surface had a higher resistance than the lower surface at all leaf water potentials and growth stages. Resistance of the upper surface began to increase at a higher water potential and increased more than the resistance of the lower surface. Resistances returned to prestress values 4 days after rewatering. In sunflowers upper and lower leaf surfaces had similar resistances at all water potentials and growth stages. Leaf resistances were higher in sunflower plants stressed before flowering than in those stressed later. Sunflower plants stressed to -16 bars recovered their prestress leaf resistance and water potential a few days after rewatering, but leaves of sunflower plants stressed to -23 bars died. Leaves of soybean and sunflower plants stressed before flowering suffered less injury than those of older plants and sunflowers stressed after flowering suffered more injury than soybeans.