Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Changing trends in HIV epidemics: recent diagnoses in the Spanish VACH cohort (2000-2002)].

BACKGROUND Studying the changing trends of HIV epidemics is a useful means of evaluating the results of current preventive plans as well as of defining future needs and objectives. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of the newly-diagnosed cases of HIV infection included in the Spanish VACH cohort. New HIV cases were defined as those diagnosed between January 2001 and December 2002. Their epidemiologic characteristics were compared with those of patients included in the same cohort who had been diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2000. RESULTS We studied 603 new cases (27% women). In 146 (24.4%) HIV infection had been acquired by sharing material for intravenous drug use (IVDU), 171 (28,6%) were men who had had sex with other men (MSM) and 247 (41.3%) acknowledged some risk for heterosexual HIV transmission. The median age was 36 years (range: 18-80). Only 1.5% of the patients were younger than 20 years while 32.1% were older than 40 years. This percentage was significantly higher than that corresponding to 1998-2000 (27.5%; p < 0,05). HIV infection was diagnosed simultaneously with an AIDS-defining condition in 13.3% of patients and an AIDS-defining disease was diagnosed in the first month after HIV-diagnosis in another 40 patients (6.6%). CONCLUSIONS We confirm the trends observed in previous studies: a growing proportion of newly diagnosed cases among women, a decreasing proportion of IVDU, a growth of MSM, and a trend toward diagnosis at a later age.
Chronic diarrhea in a patient with severe vitamin B12 deficiency: a rare clinical manifestation

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our Internal Medicine Unit because of diarrhea (seven evacuations of loose stools/day, with no blood or mucus) and progressive fatigue for about a year. Fatigue had progressively worsened up to the inability to perform daily activities. She suffered from diabetes, treated with metformin (1 g tid) and aspirin. She did not take any new drugs and did not change her lifestyle. At physical examination, vital signs, cardiopulmonary, abdominal, and neurological evaluations were normal, except for mucocutaneous paleness and tongue smoothness. Complete blood count showed macrocytic anemia (Hb: 9.8 mg/dl, MCV: 109 fl) that was not present 2 years before. Electrolytes, kidney, liver, thyroid tests, and urinalysis were normal as well as acute phase proteins, ferritin, and iron levels. Three samples of stool (physical and microbiological) were normal. Upper and lower bowel endoscopy and small bowel barium-X-ray showed no alterations. A severe vitamin B12 deficiency was evidenced (5125 pg/ml, n.v. 187–883 pg/ml) with normal folates (5.5 ng/ml, n.v.44 ng/ml). [1] Antibodies against intrinsic factor and transglutaminases were absent. Cyanocobalamin i.m. was started (1000mg/day for 7 d, then weekly for 8 weeks, then monthly). [2] About 24 h after the first administration of cyanocobalamin diarrhea resolved. Two months later fatigue had disappeared and laboratory tests were normalized (Hb: 13.5 g/dl, MCV: 86 fl).
Destabilization of free convection by weak rotation

Abstract This study offers an explanation of the recently observed effect of destabilization of free convective flows by weak rotation. After studying several models where flows are driven by the simultaneous action of convection and rotation, it is concluded that destabilization is observed in cases where the centrifugal force acts against the main convective circulation. At relatively low Prandtl numbers, this counter-action can split the main vortex into two counter-rotating vortices, where the interaction leads to instability. At larger Prandtl numbers, the counter-action of the centrifugal force steepens an unstable thermal stratification, which triggers the Rayleigh–Bénard instability mechanism. Both cases can be enhanced by advection of azimuthal velocity disturbances towards the axis, where they grow and excite perturbations of the radial velocity. The effect was studied by considering a combined convective and rotating flow in a cylinder with a rotating lid and a parabolic temperature profile at the sidewall. Next, explanations of the destabilization effect for rotating-magnetic-field-driven flow and melt flow in a Czochralski crystal growth model were derived.
Time-of-flight estimation for single-photon LIDARs

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technologies have been in spot light for some time due to its tremendous potential of enabling applications such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), virtual reality (VR), and localization in wireless networks, etc. Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a very attractive choice as light detectors in LIDAR due to its high sensitivity. Meanwhile successful signal detection in SPAD needs to overcome issues such as noise due to background illuminance and detection reliability. In this paper, a SPAD-based LIDAR system is planned, a probabilistic model of light detection with SPAD is built, and a near Maximum Likelihood (ML) algorithm is developed to estimate the time-of-flight. Simulations using measured light-pulse power profiles demonstrate that the near ML approach outperforms popular range-finding algorithms. The probabilistic formulation also opens the door of developing machine-learning algorithms for LIDARs to operate in drastically varying environments.
Possible Connection between a Widely Disseminated Conjugative Gentamicin Resistance (pMG1-Like) Plasmid and the Emergence of Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium

ABSTRACT A total of 640 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) isolates, which were obtained between 1994 and 1999 from the Medical School Hospital of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, were used in this study. Of the 640 strains, 611 and 29 were VanA and VanB VRE, respectively, based on PCR analysis. Four hundred ninety-two (77%) of the strains exhibited resistance to concentrations of gentamicin from 64 μg/ml (MIC) to more than 1,024 μg/ml (MIC). The gentamicin resistance of each of 261 (53%) of the 492 gentamicin-resistant strains was transferred to E. faecium at a frequency of about 10−5 to 10−6 per donor cell in broth mating. More than 90% of vancomycin resistances of the 261 strains cotransferred with the gentamicin resistances to E. faecium strains by filter mating. The conjugative gentamicin resistance plasmids were identified and were classified into five types (A through E) with respect to their EcoRI restriction profiles. The transfer frequencies of each type of plasmid between E. faecium strains or Enterococcus faecalis strains were around 10−3 to 10−5 per donor cell or around 10−6 to 10−7 per donor cell, respectively, in broth mating. Type A and type B were the most frequently isolated, at an isolation frequency of about 40% per VRE isolate harboring the gentamicin resistance conjugative plasmid. The plasmids did not show any homology in Southern hybridization with the pheromone-responsive plasmids and broad-host-range plasmids pAMβ1 and pIP501. The EcoRI or NdeI restriction fragments of each type of plasmids hybridized to the conjugative gentamicin resistance plasmid pMG1 (65.1 kb), which was originally isolated from an E. faecium clinical isolate, and transfer efficiently in broth mating.
Cell wall modification involving XTHs controls phytochrome-mediated petiole elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana

The shade avoidance syndrome serves to improve the competitive power of plants growing in crowded plant communities. An important element of avoiding shade is to rapidly elongate shoots and outgrow competing neighbours. We investigated the role of cell wall modifying proteins expansins and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) in mediating this vital elongation growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. These proteins act on the cell wall and modify it to make it more extensible thereby facilitating cellular expansion. We found that XTHs are essential for shade-induced growth in Arabidopsis. Expansin activity on the other hand was not regulated in plants exposed to shade. Shade also resulted in rapid apoplastic acidification which is necessary for the optimal activity of cell wall modifying proteins such as XTHs and expansins.
Spotforming for Ultra Wide band communications using smart antenna systems

This paper deals with the design of a spotforming Ultra Wideband system using smart antenna technology. As opposed to beamforming, we propose a method to form a ¿spot¿ at an intended location. Smart antenna systems can be used to selectively form beams and nulls at intended directions. However, if an interferer lies within the beam of a desired recipient, the interference cannot be mitigated. The advantage of forming a spot is that it reduces interference from interferers closer to the receiver despite of it being within the direction of the beam. The problem also includes the designing and selection of best suited antenna for this application. Numerical simulation results corroborate the concept of spotforming. Spots of different sizes have been created using different number of antennas in the array and different configurations. We have also used different types of UWB antennas to customize the shape of the spot. Using this techniques, holes can also be selectively created to mitigate interference.
Effects of climate and historical adaptation measures on barley yield trends in Finland

In this study, the WOFOST crop simulation model was used together with compre- hensive empirical databases on barley Hordeum vulgare L. to study the contributions of different yield-determining and -limiting factors to observed trends of barley yield in Finland from 1988 to 2008. Simulations were performed at 3 study sites representing different agro-ecological zones, and compared with the data from experimental sites and that reported by local farmers. Yield gaps between simulated potential yields and farmers' yields and their trends were assessed. Positive observed yield trends of Finnish barley mostly resulted from the development and usage of new, high-yielding cultivars. Simulated trends in climatic potential and water-limited potential yields of individual cultivars showed a slight declining trend. Yield gaps showed an increasing trend in 2 out of 3 study areas. Since the mid-1990s, a major reason for this has been the lack of market and policy incentives favouring crop management decisions, i.e. annual fertilisation, soil maintenance, drainage and crop rotation decisions, aiming for higher yields. The study indicates potential options for increasing or maintaining barley yields in the future. The breeding of new climate- resilient cultivars is the primary option. However, this needs to work alongside overall adjust- ments to farm management and must be supported by financial incentives for farmers to increase yields.
System-on-System (SoS) architecture for 3-D secure imaging

This paper presents an integrated approach towards a multilayered architecture based upon stacked silicon dies for image capture and secure image transmission. The System-on-System approach presented comprises CMOS imager, memory, 3-D DWT, 3-D AES and RF transmitter layer. Chips fabricated by different processes are stacked and interconnected using TSV. Compressed images from 3-D DWT are encrypted. The TSV interconnections reduce the number of output buffers and thereby reduce power consumption. The system can be implemented as a core of portable devices for image capture and secure transmission.
Data-Driven Network Analysis and Applications

Data is critical for scientific research and engineering systems. However, data collection procedures are often subject to high cost or heavy loss rate. It is challenging to accurately estimate missing or unobserved data points through the available ones. To cope with this challenge, data interpolation methods have been utilized to approximate the missing data with lower price. In this thesis, we study three specific problems on missing data interpolation in computer networking. They are 1) Autonomous System (AS) level path inference problem, 2) environment reconstruction problem in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and 3) rating of network paths inference problem. For the first problem, we bring a new angle to the AS path inference by exploiting the metrical tree-likeness or the low hyperbolicity of the Internet, part of the complex network properties of the Internet. We show that such property can generate a new constraint that narrows down the searching space of possible AS paths to a much smaller size. Based on this observation, we propose two new algorithms, namely HyperPath and Valley-free HyperPath. With intensive evaluations on AS paths from real-world BGP Routing Information Bases, we show that the proposed algorithms can achieve better performance. We demonstrate that our algorithms can significantly reduce inter-AS traffic for P2P applications with an improved AS path prediction accuracy. For the second problem, we propose a new approach, namely Probabilistic Model Enhanced Spatio-Temporal Compressive Sensing (PMEST-CS), to boost the performance of CS-based methods for environment reconstruction in WSNs. During algorithm design, we consider two new perspectives, which are exploiting the sparsity in spatio-temporal difference in environment and using probabilistic model and inference to enrich the available dataset. Experimental results utilizing the two real-world datasets show that significant performance gains, in terms of reconstruction quality, can be obtained in comparison with the state of the art CS-based methods. For the third problem, we investigate the rating of network paths, which is not only informative but also cheap to obtain. We firstly address the scalable acquisition of path ratings by statistical inference. By observing similarities to recommender systems, we examine the applicability of solutions to recommender system and show that our inference problem can be solved by a class of matrix factorization techniques. Then, we investigate the usability of rating-based network measurement and inference in applications. A case study is performed on whether locality awareness can be achieved for overlay networks of Pastry and BitTorrent using inferred ratings. We show that such coarse-grained knowledge can improve the performance of peer selection and that finer granularities do not always lead to larger improvements.
Stable SNPs in Malaria Antigen Genes in Isolated Populations

Surface antigens of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are under intense immune pressure, and their loci are subject to positive selection ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2]). P. falciparum shows substantial genetic variability, as seen in rapid emergence of drug resistance [e.g., 10 mutations in
Indigenous plasmids in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato: conjugative transfer and role in copper resistance

Twenty strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato were examined for the presence of plasmid DNA. P. syringae pv. tomato plasmids were grouped into five size classes: class A ranged from 95 to 103 kilobases (kb); class B ranged from 71 to 83 kb; class C ranged from 59 to 67 kb; class D ranged from 37 to 39 kb; and class E was 29 kb. All strains contained at least two plasmids in classes A and B. The conjugative ability of P. syringae pv. tomato plasmids in three strains was demonstrated by mobilization of the nonconjugative plasmid RSF1010 into Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae recipients. Plasmids from the three conjugative strains were labeled with Tn5. Four conjugative plasmids were identified by their repeated transfer to P. syringae pv. syringae recipients. P. syringae pv. tomato strains varied in sensitivity to copper sulfate (CuSO4): MICs were 0.4 to 0.6 mM for sensitive strains, 1.2 mM for moderately resistant strains, and 1.6 to 2.0 mM for very resistant strains. One very resistant strain, PT23, functioned as a donor of copper resistance. Recipient P. syringae pv. syringae strains PS51 and PS61 were inhibited by 0.1 mM CuSO4, whereas the CuSO4 MICs for transconjugant strains PS51(pPT23A) and PS61(pPT23C) were 1.8 and 2.6 mM, respectively. P. syringae pv. tomato strains PT12.2 and PT17.2 were inhibited by 0.6 mM copper sulfate, but their copper sulfate MICs were 2.6 and 1.8 mM, respectively, when they acquired pPT23C. Therefore, copper resistance in PT23 was controlled by two conjugative plasmids, designated pPT23A (101 kb) and pPT23C (67 kb).
Escherichia vulneris: a New Species of Enterobacteriaceae Associated with Human Wounds

The name Escherichia vulneris sp. nov. (formerly called Alma group 1 and Enteric group 1 by the Centers for Disease Control and API group 2 by Analytab Products, Inc.) is proposed for a group of isolates from the United States and Canada, 74% of which were from human wounds. E. vulneris is a gram-negative, oxidase-negative, fermentative, motile rod with the characteristics of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Biochemical reactions characteristic of 61 E. vulneris strains were positive tests for methyl red, malonate, and lysine decarboxylase; a delayed positive test for arginine dihydrolase; acid production from d-mannitol, l-arabinose, raffinose, l-rhamnose, d-xylose, trehalose, cellobiose, and melibiose; negative tests for Voges-Proskauer, indole, urea, H2S, citrate, ornithine decarboxylase, phenylalanine deaminase, and DNase; and no acid from dulcitol, adonitol, myo-inositol, and d-sorbitol. Two-thirds of the strains produced yellow pigment. Most strains gave negative or delayed positive reactions in tests for lactose, sucrose, and KCN. The E. vulneris strains tested were resistant to penicillin and clindamycin, were resistant or showed intermediate zones of inhibition to carbenicillin and erythromycin, and were susceptible to 14 other antibiotics. DNA relatedness of 15 E. vulneris strains to the type strain averaged 75% in reactions at 60°C and 69% in reactions at 75°C, indicating that they comprise a separate species. DNA relatedness to other species in the family Enterobacteriaceae was 6 to 39%, an indication that this new species belongs in the family. E. vulneris showed the highest relatedness to species of Escherichia (25 to 39%) and Enterobacter (24 to 35%). On the basis of biochemical similarity, the new species was placed in the genus Escherichia. The type strain of E. vulneris is ATCC 33821 (CDC 875-72).
Children with diabetes: perceptions of supports for self-management at school.

Diabetes affects many children. Researchers know little about children's perceptions of what type of support they need at school, which was a focus of this study. Group interviews and surveys examined children's perceptions of support in caring for their diabetes (type I diabetes) from school nurses, teachers, and friends. Results indicated the children felt supported at school, but improved flexibility by teachers and nurses (e.g., let me keep my meter with me always) and individualized care plans may improve their ability to manage their diabetes at school. Participating in after-school activities may be difficult for middle school youth. Children reported they needed additional help and support to cope with hypoglycemic episodes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): arguably the most common endocrinopathy is associated with significant morbidity in women.

Women’s health is about the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders that are unique to women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is extremely prevalent and probably constitutes the most frequently encountered endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. Primary care providers do not commonly appreciate that the syndrome is associated with significant morbidity in terms of both reproductive and nonreproductive events. Having the disorder may significantly impact the quality of life of women during the reproductive years, and it contributes to morbidity and mortality by the time of menopause. A cohort of women with PCOS who were followed for many years after wedge resection (1) revealed several important findings by the time they reached the age of menopause. Their symptoms of PCOS had persisted over this time, they had a later menopause, and they had experienced a higher hysterectomy rate. Most importantly, there was a high prevalence of diabetes (16%) and hypertension (40%).
Transforming growth factor beta 1 plays an important role in inducing CD4+CD25+forhead box P3+ regulatory T cells by mast cells

The role of mast cells (MCs) in the generation of adaptive immune responses especially in the transplant immune responses is far from being resolved. It is reported that mast cells are essential intermediaries in regulatory T cell (Treg) transplant tolerance, but the mechanism has not been clarified. To investigate whether bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) can induce Tregs by expressing transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) in vitro, bone marrow cells obtained from C57BL/6 (H‐2b) mice were cultured with interleukin (IL)‐3 (10 ng/ml) and stem cell factor (SCF) (10 ng/ml) for 4 weeks. The purity of BMMCs was measured by flow cytometry. The BMMCs were then co‐cultured with C57BL/6 T cells at ratios of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1. Anti‐CD3, anti‐CD28 and IL‐2 were administered into the co‐culture system with (experiment groups) or without (control groups) TGF‐β1 neutralizing antibody. The percentages of CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ Tregs in the co‐cultured system were analysed by flow cytometry on day 5. The Treg percentages were significantly higher in all the experiment groups compared to the control groups. These changes were deduced by applying TGF‐β1 neutralizing antibody into the co‐culture system. Our results indicated that the CD4+ T cells can be induced into CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells by BMMCs via TGF‐β1.
Parasympathetic mediated pupillary dilation elicited by lingual nerve stimulation in cats.

PURPOSE To determine the autonomic efferent nerve pathways for the reflex pupillary dilation elicited by somatic stimulation in cats. METHODS Cats anesthetized with a mixture of alpha-chloralose (50 mg/kg) and urethane (100 mg/kg) were intubated and paralyzed by intravenous injection of pancuronium bromide. The central cut end of the lingual nerve (LN) was stimulated electrically to simulate somatic stimulation, and 1 microL of lidocaine (2%) was microinjected into the Vsp or the EW nucleus to determine its effect on the pupillary dilation induced by LN stimulation. The effect of electrically stimulating the Vsp or sectioning the superior cervical sympathetic nerve (CSN) on the pupillary response was also examined. RESULTS Stimulation of the LN or the trigeminal spinal nucleus (Vsp) evoked pupillary dilation in a frequency- and intensity-dependent manner. These responses were not affected by sectioning the ipsilateral or both CSNs. The pupillary responses were markedly suppressed by microinjecting lidocaine into the ipsilateral Vsp or the Edinger-Westphal (EW) nucleus, but not by injection into the contralateral Vsp. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the Vsp and EW nucleus act as bulbar relay centers for pupillary dilation elicited by LN stimulation and suggest that the efferent arc of the response is a parasympathetic pathway. The contralateral pupillary dilation appears to be mediated, at least in part, by fibers projecting from the Vsp to the contralateral EW nucleus.